The Best Broadcasting System Just Got Better

Get more control over your email inbox. Enhanced Broadcast filters - Tradeloop's newest system upgrade - save you time by delivering more relevant, targeted leads directly to your email on the schedule you select.

Tradeloop members can set their own filters to completely customize your digest - instead of wading through a list of all the Broadcasts. Use our new "mix and match" filter options to set your preferences based on:

• Manufacturer
  
• Geographic Region
  
• Product Keywords (ie "Lexmark printer")
  
• Want to Sell or Want to Buy
  
• Broadcast Type
  
• And more….

You can also tell the Broadcast system you're on vacation and set a return date. This stops Broadcast delivery to you until the morning of your return date. It doesn't affect your Tradeloop membership, parts lists, or any other option pertaining to your account.

We transferred everyone's existing Broadcast settings into the new system, so no member is required to make any changes. However, this new tool offers so much power and flexibility that we strongly recommend you try it out.

You can edit or delete your filters at any time. We even give you the option to make a filter "inactive." That's useful for specific items you need on a sporadic basis. You can receive Broadcasts only when you're actively watching the market for that item.

Learn more about the new Broadcast filters at the Broadcast Filter FAQ page.

Back in December, we asked members what they wanted from the Broadcast system. Well, here it is. Tell us what you think! Post your comments and suggestions here at Tradeloop's member blog.

Faster Loading Pages at Tradeloop's Web Site

You may have already noticed that many pages on Tradeloop's Web site are loading more quickly in your browser. We removed some Javascript and third-party images from below the footer to speed up the pages.

They delayed the site loading due to extra DNS lookups and image downloads. And their usefulness was limited because they were so far down on the page that most members never noticed them.

Our technical staff is continually making changes to increase the Tradeloop site's efficiency and performance. Even small changes like this improve the site. Watch for even bigger changes as we roll out some important new site features and upgrades later this month.

Upload Your Company Logo To Tradeloop

Reinforce your your brand and promote your company to Tradeloop members. Upload your company logo and display it on your Company Profile page.

Click on the "My Profiles" link under the Account tab. Look for the "Upload Logo" graphic to the right of your company name:
Click on the graphic and you'll be taken to the "Upload Logo" page where you can upload the file from your computer.

Logos must meet these requirements:

• File format must be GIF or JPG
• The image should not be larger than 100k file size.
• The image display size should be no larger than 138 pixels wide by 65 pixels high.
• The image should not contain anything offensive.
  

This feature is part of our redesigned Company Profile page and is available to all Tradeloop registered users and members.

Who's Who on Tradeloop? Check Out The New User & Company Profile Pages

Tradeloop's Dealer Directory is an indispensable tool when you're looking for a reseller in a particular geographic area or one who specializes in certain products or manufacturers. And now we've made it even better. Our redesigned company profile and member profile pages prominently display the important information you need to make business decisions:

• Is the company a Tradeloop member?
  
• For how long?
  
• Are there any pending Ethics complaints?
  
• What do they sell?
  
• How do I contact them?
  

Learn all that - and more - in our new easy-to-read format.

The most important change is in how we identify Tradeloop members. Look for these notations under the company and contact names:

The "System Stats" section shows when the Tradeloop member or user joined/registered at Tradeloop. Members are identified with their "Member Since" date and we display the "Join Date" of registered users.

The User and Company Profile pages contain even more information that's useful to your fellow Tradeloop members. Many prefer to arrange deals only with other members, while others check to see if any Ethics Complaints have been filed before agreeing to a contract.

We know that privacy and security is also a big concern for all Tradeloop members, so we let you choose how much information to display to other members and to public users. Use the options on your Privacy Settings page to:

• Display or hide your email address from other Tradeloop members.
• Display or hide your company profile from public users and search engines.
  
• Display your photo to Tradeloop members or public users.
  

As always, we strongly encourage all members to create a complete company profile. It's a feature that increases your credibility and visibility to other Tradeloop members and is also an excellent technique for increasing your search engine visibility.

Access Your Member Account Options From The Main Navigation Menu

Need to upload your inventory list, tweak your company profile, or update your privacy settings? Tradeloop members can now access these functions and more directly from Tradeloop's main menu. The "Account" tab contains drop-down options that take members directly to many account management functions.

Here's are the new options available under the Account tab:


All these options are also still available at your Account Information page as well and there's no change to the layout or page function. The new tabs simply make it easier to access the most-used account management functions.

Let's quickly review some of the important management tools on the Account Information page. This is the place to go to keep your account up to date. Use it to manage contact information, set up sub-accounts, maintain inventory listings, and more.

• Set Email preferences to opt in or out of Tradeloop emails.
  
• Manage email accounts and keep contact information updated.
• Manage your sub-accounts (learn more about sub-accounts at our multi-user FAQ page).
• Update billing information or upgrade your Tradeloop membership.
• Manage your End User program inventory (visit Tradeloop's End User program details page to learn more).
  
• Change/update your Privacy Settings
• Manage your Tradeloop inventory.

Remember that you need to be logged into your Tradeloop account to access these functions.

We encourage all Tradeloop members to regularly check their account and company information. A simple typo in an email or phone number can mean lost sales. So can a couple of parts accidentally deleted from an inventory list. The new navigation options will make it even easier to maintain information and get the most from your Tradeloop membership.

Help Us Redesign Tradeloop's Broadcast System

We're about to redesign Tradeloop's Broadcast System and we'd like your input. We have a number of suggestions from members already, but we'd love to hear more about what Tradeloop members want and need from Broadcasts.

Some suggestions we've already received include:

• Block User option that will allow you to block users who are spamming the Broadcast lists.
• Keyword tagging - add any manufacturer name you want to your Broadcast.
• Allow End Users to post simple WTS/WTB requests. But they still won't be able to access any wholesale pricing or dealer contact information!
• Larger "Manufacturer" list to make it easier to target Broadcasts and generate more precise WTS/WTB Broadcasts.
• Option to block specific users from searching a company's inventory list.
• Ratings system
• Better lead generation that makes it easier for dealers to sell to End Users.

Our staff members are already at work on some of these, but we'd like to hear more about what you like/dislike about the Broadcast system - and welcome all suggestions for new options and functions!

For instance, one of our most recent additions to the "Send a Broadcast" option was the ability to add a custom signature line to your Broadcast. That very popular change began with a suggestion from a Tradeloop member who wanted the ability to personalize his Broadcast messages.

The Broadcast system is one of the most valuable parts of your Tradeloop membership because it helps you locate dealers who have an immediate need to buy/sell particular products. The Broadcast system upgrade will be a major project through the end of the year, so please send in your suggestions! Contact us by email, phone, Live Chat, or just comment here at the blog.

Keep Your Contact Information Up To Date

Validation is the the most important part of email management and communication, and it starts with you! We can't validate your Tradeloop membership application without a valid email address. Other members can't contact you either. An invalid or non-working email address can also lead to account suspension.

We recently launched the Email and Report Center to give members a central location where they can manage emails, set email preferences, and more. Now, we've implemented more internal controls to validate email addresses when members register or create new sub accounts.

Tradeloop email error checking routines look for the following:

1. Only one email address can be entered into the email address field. We understand that many people use multiple email addresses, but each Tradeloop account and subaccount can only be associated with a single email address.

2. Emails must be in a valid format - like "yourname@yourcompany.com" not "yourname@yourcompany.com TL email."

3. Every subaccount must have a unique email address. Subaccount holders need this to upload parts lists and it also helps other dealers easily contact the right person in your company.

Note that none of these validation routines checks to see if the email is actually working. Our Customer Service staff does that when they validate membership applications. Tradeloop's email system also keeps track of email bounces: too many bounces may cause your account to be suspended. Bounces also look suspicious to other dealers because so many fraudulent companies use disposable or incorrect emails.

Avoid that problem by updating your Tradeloop account when you change your email address - or many any changes to your contact information.

Redesigned Header and Navigation Bar Launched at Tradeloop's Web Site

At Tradeloop, the more things change... well... the better it gets.

Our redesigned navigation header is just the latest example. You may have already noticed our header's more modern look and feel, but if not, visit the home page at Tradeloop.com to check it out. It's faster loading, easier to update, and gives our members quick access to Tradeloop Broadcasts, member information, and other services.

Over the years, we've implemented a number of different site designs as technology and user expectations changed. Courtesy of the Wayback Machine, let's take a walk through Tradeloop history and see how the site has evolved over time.

Our January 1999, looks almost primitive compared to "modern" Web sites:


In this 2000 design, we had moved to tabbed navigation using text links:


In 2001, we were using this more familiar design with "Tradeloop Blue" as the main color:


2007 featured this familiar layout with the tabbed navigation bar at the top:

This isn't a complete retrospective: Tradeloop predates the WayBack machine by several years. We launched the first Web site in 1996 and grew along with the World Wide Web, adding functionality and more sophisticated design as the technology permitted.

Each redesign required many hours of planning, coding, and testing. It's a tribute to our technical staffers that each transition has taken place seamlessly, without site downtime or any inconvenience to Tradeloop members.

In fact, our technical staff is constantly working on new features and services for Tradeloop members, and most of their work is done behind the scenes. Members appreciate the speed and stability of the Tradeloop site, but the time and effort to maintain and enhance the service is out of public view. However, there's nothing more visible - or more important - to an Internet company than the home page.

Stay tuned to the blog for coming announcements of new reports, options, and features that will make your Tradeloop membership an even more valuable business asset.

A "Smarter" Tradeloop Login Page

We've made the Tradeloop login page "smarter," and login easier for members who keep multiple browser tabs open. Now, if you have ten browser tabs open to different Tradeloop pages, you only have to log into one tab. Refresh the pages in the other tabs, and they'll automatically know you're logged in.

Previously, the login information didn't carry over between tabs. So if you had ten tabs open and logged into one, you would have to log in nine more times – once for each tab.

Most Tradeloop members won't notice this small change – but those who open multiple tabs certainly will. Our technical staff is constantly upgrading the site to add new features and increase the usability of every aspect of the site.

Three Cheers For Our Technical Staff!

At some point, most Tradeloop members communicate with our Customer Support staff. Maybe it's a quick validation phone call, a short Live Chat session, or even the plesant surprise of having your email answered within minutes. But there's another group of Tradeloop staffers who work just as hard. Led by Brian Sweeney, our technical staff works continuously to upgrade the site, fix bugs, and keep Tradeloop running smoothly.

It's time to give a well-deserved shout-out to the professionals who, over the course of a year, implemented an entirely new database and server system without experiencing any downtime on the live Tradeloop Web site. Tradeloop founder and CEO, Rohi Sukhia, likened the accomplishment to "completely rebuilding a 747 while it's in flight."

Each month, our technical staff designs and implements the upgrades that we announce here on the blog. They also find and fix system bugs and tweak databases to improve performance. Most of their work is behind-the-scenes maintenance that sounds boring, but is really critical to the site's smooth operation. In the past 3 months, the technical staff has completed more than 100 major improvements, upgrades, and bug fixes.

Please join everyone at Tradeloop in a round of applause. Their efficient team effort keeps the site running smoothly - and getting better every month.