Trade directory
Encyclopedia
A trade directory is a collection of supplier
s and manufacturers. This directory includes the businesses name, address, phone number(s) and contact name(s) of key people within the organization. Trade directories can come in a variety of formats and can be focused on a particular industry
, geographical region or a specific product
.
based industries where companies are competing on the basis of cost
.
However, trade directories are not necessarily up-to-date, and may omit businesses or other information.
An example of a trade directory is "The Little Blue Book", a directory of physicians in a metro area. The book is organized by name, location, specialty and other factors, making it easier for doctors and medical offices to make referrals and contact each other.
Other examples of trade or business directories include:
or in digital format. Ease of use and distribution means that many trade directories have digital version.
Supplier
Supplier may refer to:*Manufacturer, uses tools and labor to make things for sale*Processor , converts a product from one form to another*Packager , encloses products for distribution, storage, sale, and use...
s and manufacturers. This directory includes the businesses name, address, phone number(s) and contact name(s) of key people within the organization. Trade directories can come in a variety of formats and can be focused on a particular industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
, geographical region or a specific product
Product
- Business :*Product , an item that ideally satisfies a market's want or need**Product , a deliverable or set of deliverables that contribute to a business solution**Nanoproduct, a product that has been enhanced with nanotechnology...
.
Purpose
The advantage of using a trade directory is that a purchaser can review hundreds or thousands of suppliers efficiently and in a timely manner. This is especially beneficial in commodityCommodity
In economics, a commodity is the generic term for any marketable item produced to satisfy wants or needs. Economic commodities comprise goods and services....
based industries where companies are competing on the basis of cost
Cost
In production, research, retail, and accounting, a cost is the value of money that has been used up to produce something, and hence is not available for use anymore. In business, the cost may be one of acquisition, in which case the amount of money expended to acquire it is counted as cost. In this...
.
However, trade directories are not necessarily up-to-date, and may omit businesses or other information.
An example of a trade directory is "The Little Blue Book", a directory of physicians in a metro area. The book is organized by name, location, specialty and other factors, making it easier for doctors and medical offices to make referrals and contact each other.
Other examples of trade or business directories include:
- Kelly's DirectoryKelly's DirectoryKelly's Directory was a trade directory in the United Kingdom that listed all businesses and tradespeople in a particular city or town, as well as a general directory of postal addresses of local gentry, landowners, charities, and other facilities. In effect, it was a Victorian version of today's...
- Best's Directories of Recommended Insurance Attorneys & Adjusters
- officePROhub-Office Products and Services Directory
Formats of Trade Directories
Trade directories can be in either hard copyHard copy
In information handling, a hard copy is a permanent reproduction, or copy, in the form of a physical object, of any media suitable for direct use by a person , of displayed or transmitted data...
or in digital format. Ease of use and distribution means that many trade directories have digital version.