Frequently Asked Questions

Below is the comprehensive FAQ for Sitehunt. This document is organized into multiple sections, with detailed questions and answers that cover everything from the basics of the platform and its creator to advanced customization, collaboration, and AI-powered functionalities. Whether you’re a seasoned economic developer or just getting started with property evaluation, this guide is designed to provide in-depth information to help you fully leverage Sitehunt’s capabilities.

1. Introduction to Sitehunt

1.1 What is Sitehunt?

Sitehunt is an AI-enhanced SaaS platform developed for the needs of economic developers and site selectors. It was designed to transform raw site data into actionable intelligence to help economic developers turn information into investment. With its robust property database management and streamlined RFI response process, Sitehunt makes it easier than ever to capture, evaluate, and market property information.

Sitehunt leverages over 600 data points from various sources to generate insights about each property, including building specifications, infrastructural benchmarks, and even nearby amenities such as highways, railroads, and utilities. Its intelligent interface guides users through the data-entry process, ensuring every property is represented as accurately and comprehensively as possible.

1.2 Who Created Sitehunt?

The platform was developed by Dane Carlson, an economic developer with more than 20 years of public, private, non-profit, and public–private partnership experience. Dane Carlson is also an entrepreneur and the host of the Econ Dev Show podcast and newsletter. His real-world experience in economic development shaped the design of Sitehunt, ensuring it addresses the practical challenges that economic developers face when working with site information.

1.3 Who Should Consider Using Sitehunt?

Sitehunt was designed with all economic developers in mind:

Economic Development Organizations (EDOs): Regardless of size—from small local groups to large state or regional agencies.
Site Selectors: Professionals tasked with searching for and evaluating properties.
Public and Private Agencies: The platform’s flexible pricing model is meant to accommodate organizations with varying budgets, including those with tight budgets that may qualify for small organization discounts.
Community Planners: Who need to coordinate data from multiple cities or counties.

In short, if your role involves gathering, lobbying for, or marketing property information, Sitehunt is intended to simplify your workload and enhance your strategic positioning.

1.4 How Does Sitehunt Benefit Economic Developers?

Sitehunt empowers economic developers to:

Become Authorities on Their Properties: With in-depth property profiles curated from over 600 data points.
Streamline RFI Responses: By automatically assembling the information necessary to answer RFIs quickly and efficiently.
Gain Competitive Insights: AI-powered analytics provide insights that can boost your property rankings and accelerate investment.
Enhance Collaboration: With multi-user editing, audit trails, and integrated communication tools.
Automate Routine Tasks: Including bulk site imports, automatic data extraction, and real-time dashboard updates.

This combination of features and tools translates into faster decision-making and improved effectiveness in attracting investment to your community.

2. Core Functionalities and Platform Overview

2.1 What Are the Core Functionalities of Sitehunt?

Sitehunt’s feature set is extensive. Among its core functionalities, you will find:

Dynamic Question Routing: The system adapts its line of questioning based on your responses, ensuring you only see questions that are relevant to the site type in question.
Automated Data Extraction: AI-powered tools pull key data points (like square footage, site acreage, or proximity to major infrastructure) from pasted content, images, or documents.
Collaborative Data Entry: Multiple users can update and refine a site’s information concurrently, with each change logged for future reference.
Integrated RFI/RFP Support: The platform is fully equipped to help you build comprehensive RFI responses and generate spec sheets, flyers, and Excel exports directly.
Robust Reporting and Scorecards: Sitehunt generates detailed site scorecards that assess whether a property meets predefined criteria, with clear explanations for each metric.
Customizable Templates: Tailor the questions, criteria, and outputs to align with your organization’s specific needs.

2.2 How Does the AI Enhance the Experience?

AI is at the heart of the Sitehunt platform. Its contributions include:

Extracting Relevant Data: When you provide text from an email, flyer, or webpage, the AI promptly pulls the most important numbers and details.
Offering Pre-Populated Answers: Based on historical data, the system suggests answers, saving time and reducing manual entry errors.
Generating Marketing Content: The platform automatically assists in assembling flyers, spec sheets, or reports based on the accumulated data.
Analyzing Proximity and Infrastructure: AI computes distances (e.g., to nearby highways or railroads) and assesses logistical features such as electrical capacity or water supply.
Predictive Scoring: The system uses AI to calculate a property’s score dynamically based on numerous weighted factors.

2.3 How Does Sitehunt Streamline the RFI Process?

One of the biggest challenges in property evaluation is quickly assembling a robust RFI response. Sitehunt addresses this challenge by:

Automatically Linking Data to RFI Criteria: As you enter property details, the platform cross-references the information with common RFI requirements.
Generating Draft RFI Responses: With the web-based interface, you can export Excel documents, spec sheets, or flyers directly from the platform.
Prioritizing High-Quality Sites: The system ranks sites based on how well they meet the criteria; if you provide additional details through follow-up answers, the site’s ranking improves.
Persistent Data Storage: Historical data, including previous RFI responses, is stored and logged for future reference and continuous improvement.

2.4 How Does Sitehunt Manage a Robust Property Database?

Sitehunt is designed to meet the needs of both small communities and large regional or state organizations:

Centralized Property Management: All site information is stored in one central system, allowing for easy retrieval and analysis.
Flexible Data Entry Options: Sites can be imported in bulk, added manually, or pulled automatically from public listings.
Inter-Departmental Visibility: If your organization manages sites across multiple cities or counties, Sitehunt enables users at the local level to feed data upward, ensuring that county or regional administrators have a complete picture.
High-Level Customization: Administrators can designate which fields are mandatory, set custom criteria, and fine-tune the reporting templates to match organizational standards.

3. Getting Started and Data Entry Workflow

3.1 How Do I Begin Entering a Property?

Getting started with Sitehunt involves a straightforward, guided process:

Basic Information Entry: Start by entering essential details such as the property’s address, county, city, and zip code.
Site Type Selection: You then choose the type of site you are entering (for example, industrial, office, retail, etc.). This selection automatically configures the subsequent question set.
Data Extraction Opportunity: The system may prompt you to paste content from a flyer, email, or website. At this point, AI works in the background to extract relevant data from your input.
Initial Overview Screen: Once basic data is entered, you’ll see a dashboard that provides an overview of the site’s information, with green progress bars indicating how many questions have been answered in each category.

3.2 How Can Data Be Revised or Updated?

Sitehunt is built for flexibility:

Editing Existing Entries: You can always return to a property’s profile to update, fix, or add new information.
Revisiting AI Results: If AI-generated answers need correction, you have the option to manually adjust or overwrite those responses.
Dynamic Re-routing: Updating one piece of information can trigger a refresh of subsequent follow-up questions to ensure consistency.
Change History Log: Every update is recorded with the username, timestamp, and an audit trail of changes. This way, you can always trace the evolution of each property’s data.

3.3 How Do I Import or Add Sites Manually?

There are several methods to add a site:

Manual Data Entry: Enter all information manually through an intuitive form. This is particularly useful when you have detailed data already on hand.
Bulk Upload: If you have an Excel file or CSV with a list of properties, you can import these records to populate your database swiftly.
Map-Based Selection: For instance, if you are working with spatial data, you can select sites directly from a map interface.
Automated Listing Imports: For sites that are newly available on the market, Sitehunt can automatically import data based on public listings or through standardized data feeds.

4. Dynamic Question Routing and Data Extraction

4.1 What Is Dynamic Question Routing?

Dynamic question routing is a key principle behind Sitehunt’s efficient data collection:

Adaptive Workflow: The platform adjusts the sequence and type of questions based on your initial inputs. For instance, selecting an industrial site will bring up in-depth queries about electrical capacity, parking logistics, and other industrial-specific details.
Efficient Data Collection: By only presenting questions that are relevant based on your previous answers, the system eliminates redundancy and reduces the time required for data entry.
Feedback-Driven Navigation: As you complete certain fields, the system may prompt you to verify details or to answer additional follow-up questions if inconsistencies are detected.

4.2 How Does the System Determine Which Questions to Ask?

The system utilizes a combination of preset decision trees and AI analysis:

Pre-Configured Templates: Once the site type is selected, a pre-determined set of questions is loaded. These have been optimized from extensive industry experience.
Real-Time Adjustments: Based on the data entered, the system refines subsequent queries to focus only on the missing or ambiguous aspects.
Follow-Up Prompts: If the system finds that a particular data point could benefit from further clarification, it automatically provides additional questions to gather that detail.

4.3 How Accurate Are AI-Generated Responses?

The AI component of Sitehunt is designed to provide highly accurate responses:

Vetted Historical Data: The system leverages historical records and integrated data from over 600 data points, so the suggested answers are usually reliable.
User Verification: Even though AI provides pre-populated answers, it always gives you the opportunity to verify, edit, or confirm the data.
Error Flagging: In cases where the AI might produce an ambiguous or uncertain result, the system flags that answer, prompting you to check it manually and, if necessary, provide a more precise response.

4.4 How Are Multiple Data Sources Reconciled?

Sitehunt is built to integrate data from various origins:

Mixed Source Input: You might have data from a PDF brochure, an email, or a website. When you paste this information, the AI parses through it to extract key metrics.
Conflict Resolution Tools: If different sources provide conflicting data, the system highlights the discrepancy and offers guidance on which details should be considered primary.
Manual Overrides: Users can easily select which data point is most accurate or relevant, ensuring that the final property profile is as precise as possible.

5. Working with Documents, Criteria, and RFIs

5.1 How Do I Integrate External Documents?

Sitehunt is designed to work seamlessly with various types of documents:

Content Pasting: Simply copy and paste text from PDFs, emails, or web pages into the designated fields. The AI system then extracts the relevant details.
Document Uploads: You may also have the option to upload files directly if they include essential data points you’d like to have integrated into the property profile.
Structured Parsing: The system uses sophisticated algorithms to parse the content, identify key headings, numbers, and phrases, and then map these to the corresponding fields in your profile.

5.2 How Are Criteria and RFIs Managed?

The platform comprehensively supports criteria management and the RFI process:

Criteria Import: Easily import criteria from an RFI document or spreadsheet. The system will parse and convert these into actionable data fields.
Auto-Mapping: Once the criteria are in the system, Sitehunt automatically maps these against the data collected from each property.
Scorecards and Rankings: The system generates detailed scorecards that indicate how well a property meets each criterion. These scorecards highlight whether requirements are met, partially met, or missing.
Exportable Reports: From the RFI responses to spec sheets and marketing flyers, all documentation can be exported in common formats (e.g., Excel) for presentation and further analysis.

5.3 Can I Customize the RFI and RFP Process?

Yes, Sitehunt offers complete customization for your evaluation process:

Tailored Criteria Sets: You can create custom criteria for different types of projects, such as requiring a minimum square footage for manufacturing sites or specific proximity thresholds for transportation hubs.
Editable Templates: The RFI and RFP outputs are generated from templates which can be edited to match your branding, preferred formats, and specific details.
Conditional Logic: Customize follow-up logic within the RFI process so that additional questions are asked only if certain criteria are not met or data is incomplete.

6. Detailed Property Data and Advanced Site Insights

6.1 What Property Details Does Sitehunt Capture?

Sitehunt goes beyond basic information and collects a multitude of data:

Basic Information: Addresses, zip codes, city, county, and geospatial coordinates.
Building Specifications: Total square footage, building age, configuration details, usage type (such as industrial, office, or retail), and special designations.
Site Acreage and Layout: Total area, building footprint versus open land, and access routes.
Infrastructural Data: Proximity to major highways, roads, rail, airports, and the presence of utilities like electrical, water, and sewer systems.
Additional Media: Integration of images, uploaded documents, flyers, and HTML content to provide a comprehensive digital dossier for each property.

6.2 How Are Infrastructural Benchmarks Determined?

Using geospatial algorithms and integrated data sources, Sitehunt:

Calculates Proximity: Automatically computes distances between the property and significant infrastructure elements, such as highways, rail lines, or airports.
Optimizes Travel Metrics: Provides estimated travel times based on average highway speeds, ensuring that properties meeting a “within 30 minutes” threshold are highlighted.
Highlights Key Access Points: Emphasizes nearby utilities and logistical features that may affect the suitability of a site for specific economic projects.

6.3 What Examples of Advanced Property Data Are Available?

Some of the examples of advanced property data include:

Engineering Data: Infrastructure details such as building load capacities and specialized equipment requirements.
Environmental Information: Zoning details, environmental compliance data, assessments of potential risks, and historical audit trails.
Access and Marketing Insights: Distances measured (e.g., a property located 31.5 miles from the nearest interstate), visual indicators of infrastructure quality, and detailed narratives derived from on-site observations.
Historical Comparisons: Records of changes over time, including updates in property data or upgrades to infrastructure, that enrich the context for decision-makers.

7. Customization and Enterprise Options

7.1 Can I Customize Sitehunt to Our Specific Requirements?

Absolutely. One of the strong points of Sitehunt is its customizability:

Custom Fields and Templates: Administrators can add or remove data fields in the workflow to ensure that you capture only the information that is crucial for your organization.
Reordering Questions: Dynamic question routing can be altered to match the unique requirements of your economic development strategies.
Enterprise Plans: The Enterprise plan offers advanced customization features. These allow large organizations (such as regional governments or state agencies) to tailor the platform intricately to their internal processes.

7.2 How Can Custom Templates and Fields Be Amended?

Customizations are straightforward:

Administrative Settings: Use the platform’s administration tools to create or modify question templates and criteria sets.
Mapping Imported Data: When you import data from external documents, you can specify how it aligns with your internal fields.
User Feedback Integration: New feature requests and additional customization suggestions are welcomed. Sitehunt continuously integrates user feedback to refine its templates and workflows.

7.3 What Are the Enterprise Plan Options?

For larger organizations, Sitehunt offers:

Scalable Licensing: From a single subscription for a small community to an organization-wide solution that spans multiple cities and counties.
Bulk User Subscriptions: Enable all staff members and collaborating cities to input property data while giving regional administrators complete oversight.
Custom Feature Sets: Tailored integrations and advanced analytics options can be added to accommodate unique processes within your organization.

8. Multi-User Collaboration and Data Logging

8.1 How Does Sitehunt Facilitate Multi-User Collaboration?

Sitehunt is designed for teamwork:

Multi-User Access: Multiple team members can simultaneously work on the same property profile.
Expert Tagging: Specific fields or queries can be flagged for review by subject matter experts. When tagged, these are sent notifications prompting expert input.
Collaborative Editing: Real-time editing features ensure that modifications by one user are promptly visible to others, reducing duplication and errors.

8.2 What Mechanisms Prevent Data Conflicts?

To avoid conflicts when multiple users are working concurrently, Sitehunt employs:

Locking Algorithms: When a user edits a particular field, that field can be temporarily locked until the change is saved.
Version Control: Every change is versioned. If conflicting edits occur, administrators have the option to roll back to previous versions.
Conflict Resolution Alerts: The system notifies users if overlapping changes are detected, offering guidance on how to merge conflicting data.

8.3 How Can I Track and Roll Back Changes?

Every modification in Sitehunt is tracked:

Detailed Audit Log: Each property profile has a change history that shows who made the update, when, and what was changed.
Rollback Capabilities: If you need to revert to a previous version of the property data, the system supports an easy rollback process.
Data Transparency: The historical record helps maintain data integrity across the entire organization and facilitates internal audits and reviews.

9. Scoring, Evaluation, and Data Quality

9.1 How Are Sites Scored?

Sitehunt uses a multi-faceted scoring system that aggregates data based on:

Criteria Matching: Each property is evaluated against a predefined set of criteria (e.g., square footage, site acreage, proximity to key infrastructure).
Weighted Values: Specific data points may carry more importance. For example, a site’s proximity to an interstate might have a higher weight than secondary criteria.
Dynamic Updates: As new information is added, the score is recalculated in real time, so you always have an up-to-date assessment.

9.2 What Are the Typical Evaluation Criteria?

Some typical criteria include:

Square Footage: Minimum requirements may be set, such as a minimum of 20,000 square feet for manufacturing sites.
Site Acreage: Total land area against thresholds that fit the intended use.
Infrastructure Proximity: Requirements for the site to be within a certain travel time or distance from major highways, rail lines, or airports.
Specialized Requirements: Unique factors such as heavy electrical demand or environmental compliance can also be scored.

9.3 How Does Sitehunt Communicate Partial or Unknown Data?

When data is incomplete:

Scorecard Explanations: Each scorecard provides detailed notes on which criteria a site meets, partially meets, or fails to meet.
Flagging Mechanisms: If information is missing or ambiguous (for example, if the distance from a property to a highway is 40.5 miles when a 30-minute threshold is required), the system flags that entry as “unknown” or “no.” This granularity allows decision-makers to quickly ascertain data gaps.
Conditional Scoring: Properties with incomplete data can still be scored, but the uncertainties are clearly displayed, prompting further review.

9.4 Can Scoring Algorithms Be Customized?

Yes, administrators have full control over scoring:

Adjust Weightings: Modify the importance of various criteria to reflect your organizational priorities.
Set Custom Thresholds: Tailor minimum requirements for each data point—that is, set distinct thresholds for different types of properties.
Update Conditional Rules: Introduce additional “if/then” scenarios to refine the scoring process based on nuanced requirements.

These customization options ensure that your evaluation process remains aligned with your strategic objectives.

10. User Support, Training, and Feedback

10.1 What Training and Educational Resources Are Available?

Sitehunt offers a robust suite of support and training materials:

In-Depth Learning Center: Access comprehensive tutorials, guides, and documentation on every aspect of the platform.
Video Tutorials: Step-by-step videos demonstrate how to use key features, from data entry to advanced customization.
Webinars and Live Training: Regularly scheduled sessions provide hands-on training and an opportunity to ask questions in real time.
User Manuals and FAQs: Detailed documentation is maintained online and updated regularly to incorporate feedback and new functionalities.

10.2 How Can I Request a Demo or Personalized Training?

To experience Sitehunt firsthand:

Contact Dane or the Sales Team: A demo can be arranged by reaching out to the provided contact information.
Online Request Form: Use the “Request Demo” link on the Sitehunt website to schedule a live demonstration.
Live Webinars: Subscribe to upcoming events where you can watch demonstrations and interact with support staff.

10.3 How Do I Provide Feedback or Request New Features?

Feedback is critical to Sitehunt’s evolution:

Email Us: Share your thoughts, suggestions, or feature requests by emailing feedback@sitehunt.io.
In-Application Feedback Tool: Rate your experience, report issues, or suggest improvements directly within the platform.
User Groups/Forums: Join our online community to participate in discussions and see what enhancements others have suggested.

10.4 How Do I Cancel My Subscription?

If you ever need to cancel:

Account Settings: Within your Sitehunt account, there is a cancellation option available before the start of the next billing cycle.
Customer Support: You may also contact support@sitehunt.io for assistance with cancellation procedures.
Easy Opt-Out: The process is designed to be straightforward and respectful of your time.

11. Pricing, Trials, and Special Discounts

11.1 Is There a Trial Version Available?

Yes. Prospective users can experience Sitehunt through a trial:

Contact for a Demo: Reach out to Dane Carlson or the sales team to request a trial version.
Experience the Full Suite: The trial offers access to all standard features, enabling you to understand the platform’s value before committing.

11.2 Who Qualifies for the Small Organization Discount?

If your organization is working within a tight budget:

Individual Assessment: Sitehunt evaluates each case individually to determine eligibility for a small organization discount.
Contact Directly: For inquiries regarding pricing and discounts, please contact us directly through the support channels. We are committed to ensuring affordability for organizations of all sizes.

12. Future Enhancements and Roadmap

12.1 What Future Enhancements Are Planned?

Sitehunt is continuously evolving. Planned features and improvements include:

Enhanced AI Algorithms: Further improvements in data extraction, answering questions, and predictive insights.
Expanded Data Integrations: Additional external data sources and mapping services will be added to enhance the property profiles.
Mobile Optimization: A mobile-friendly interface and dedicated app features to allow on-the-go usage.
Advanced Collaboration Tools: More robust real-time communication and document sharing among team members.
Additional Customization Options: More granular control over question routing and scoring algorithms based on evolving economic development needs.

12.2 How Will New Features Impact Existing Workflows?

Future upgrades are designed to be non-disruptive:

Data Migration and Backwards Compatibility: All previously entered property data, historical logs, and customizations will continue to function seamlessly.
Phased Rollouts: New updates will be introduced in phases, ensuring that users have ample time to adjust.
Enhanced Training Materials: With each major release, updated documentation and training sessions will help your organization stay up to date with any changes.

13. Conclusion and Next Steps

13.1 What Is the Overall Value Proposition of Sitehunt?

Sitehunt is more than just a property database—it is a comprehensive solution designed to empower economic developers by turning raw site data into strategic advantages. By combining AI-powered data extraction, dynamic question routing, and robust reporting capabilities, the platform helps you:

Answer RFIs quickly and accurately.
Create detailed property profiles for marketing and analysis.
Enhance team collaboration and data integrity.
Position your organization as a knowledgeable authority in economic development.

13.2 Who Should Implement Sitehunt in Their Organization?

Sitehunt is tailored for organizations involved in economic development and property evaluation. This includes:

Local Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) seeking to streamline property data collection.
Regional and State Agencies that require centralized property management across multiple jurisdictions.
Site Selection Professionals who want to improve their evaluation processes.
Public and Private Sector Entities focused on community development and investment attraction.

13.3 What Are the Next Steps for New Users?

If you’re ready to transform how your organization handles property data:

Sign Up: Create an account and get started by exploring the dashboard.
Test the Platform: Enter your first property using Sitehunt’s guided process. Experiment with both manual data entry and bulk import options.
Engage with Training: Utilize the tutorials, webinars, and help center materials to ensure you are getting the most out of every feature.
Provide Feedback: Reach out via email or the in-app feedback tool to share your experiences and help shape future iterations of the platform.
Contact for a Demo: If you’re interested in a trial or need personalized training, contact us to schedule a demonstration.

Final Remarks

Sitehunt is built to meet the dynamic needs of economic developers, offering a blend of technological innovation and practical tools for property evaluation. Here’s a quick recap of what makes Sitehunt unique:

AI-Enhanced Data Entry: The platform’s intelligent extraction and suggestion tools reduce manual workloads and mitigate errors.
Dynamic, Adaptive Workflows: Customizable question sets and adaptive routing ensure that every property is assessed thoroughly and efficiently.
Comprehensive Collaboration Tools: With multi-user editing and detailed audit trails, Sitehunt fosters an environment of accountability and teamwork.
Seamless RFI Integration: By automatically aligning property data with critical RFI requirements, Sitehunt makes responding to investment inquiries faster and more reliable.
Robust Reporting and Export Options: Generate professional spec sheets, flyers, and Excel reports that can be used for further analysis or marketing purposes.
Affordability for All: With flexible pricing plans and special discounts for smaller organizations, Sitehunt is accessible to economic developers regardless of budget constraints.
Future-Proof Innovation: Continuous feature enhancements based on user feedback and technological advances ensure that Sitehunt remains at the forefront of property evaluation platforms.

We believe that Sitehunt will redefine how property data is managed and used in economic development, empowering you to make smarter, data-driven decisions quickly. Whether you are capturing a new site manually, importing multiple properties in bulk, or responding to a time-sensitive RFI, the platform is designed to streamline your operations and position your community for future growth.

If you have any questions that are not answered in this FAQ or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out via our support channels at support@sitehunt.io or contact our dedicated feedback team at feedback@sitehunt.io. We are here to ensure you have a seamless experience and to help you unlock the full potential of Sitehunt.

Thank you for choosing Sitehunt as your trusted partner in transforming property information into thriving investment opportunities!

This FAQ is intended to be a living document and will continue to evolve as new features and enhancements are introduced. We encourage you to review it periodically and share any additional questions or suggestions you may have.