Multi domain bulk list search

Create a bulk list that searches multiple domains concurrently.

Introduction

This article shows you how to create a multi domain bulk list. This tool allows you to search lots of categories from different domains at the same time. It's a useful tool if, for instance, you want to search multiple sites for similar products in a specific niche.

Creating and uploading a multi domain bulk list is similar to the standard bulk list. There are a few differences.

This article shows you the differences. It assumes you already know how to create, format, and upload a standard bulk list.

If you're not sure how to work with a standard bulk list, read this article first:

• Import Bulk Category List

Portal sites

On the Product Search portal, the multi domain bulk list is optional. If you want to upload a bulk list, you can use a standard bulk list or multi domain list.

On the Library Search portal, multi domain is the only bulk list option. You have to create a list with the multi domain file structure. More information about the Library Search is provided below.

1  Formatting the file structure

Your upload file needs a column called domain. Each file, at a minimum, needs two columns:

• category
• domain

You can add start and last page columns, but they're not required. In the example below, we have three rows. Each row has a different domain.

1.1  Checking the category link format

While building your multi domain bulk list, it's a good idea to make sure your category format can be read by Tactical Arbitrage during the scan. Most sites use standard URL links and others use category numbers. 

You can easily find examples of acceptable link formats for every domain in your bulk list (and other useful search information) by opening the Category Example panel.

1. Go to Product Search portal.
2. Click the Website field and then select a source from the menu. New information displays on the right side of the page.

Reviewing the category example panel

1. Scroll to the right side of the page.
2. Click the Category Example tab. Detailed information about the domain displays in the panel.
3. Review the information.
4. When complete, repeat for a different source.

Example

The image below shows three sets of information in the Category Example panel:

• instructions for creating a URL
• examples of acceptable URL link formats
• other information, such as number of products per page

Use this information to confirm the categories in your multi domain bulk list match the requirements of the source.

 1.2 Using the Library Search portal

For book searches, the Library Search portal has a tool to check category formats. 

1. Go to Library Search portal.
2. Click the Website field and then select a source from the menu. New information displays on the right side of the page. 

Unlike the Product Search portal described above in Section 1.1, the Library Search page has no Category Example tab or panel. Instead, you'll find an example of an acceptable category format plus the number of products per page below the VIEW DATA button.

2  Uploading a file

The multi domain file upload process is similar to a standard bulk list file. There are two differences

2.1  Check column headings

After clicking the upload button, check the heading of the domain column. It's likely the name will be auto-filled correctly, but you need to verify that.

2.2  Website selection

With the standard bulk list import option, you must select a website. With the multi domain bulk list option, leave the Website field blank.

3  Updating price reduction settings

When you're running a search for products from a single source, it's easy to add the price reduction in the Filters panel.

• It's called Source Price Reduction in the Product Search portal and Store Price Reduction in the Library Search portal.

However, when you're running a multi domain search you need to add a separate price reduction for each source/store.

You make these customizations on the Settings page.

3.1  Open the Settings page

1. On the dashboard page, go to the menu on the left side and click Settings. A drop-down menu displays.
2. Click Settings. The Settings page displays.
3. On the top menu, click Searching. A new page displays.
4. On the side menu, click the Price Adjustments tab.
5. At the top of the page, click the blue button SET DISCOUNTS. The Set Discounts panel displays.

3.2 Enter price adjustments

1. With the Set Discounts panel open, scroll through the list and locate the domains in your multi domain bulk list search.
2. Enter the price discount for each source.
3. Click Save.

4  Running a Library Search

You can create and upload a multi domain bulk list in the Library Search portal. The process is similar to what's described above. There are two differences.

1. The list limit is 400 rows.
2. The number of searchable domains is restricted. As shown on the Use Bulk Categories panel, the number of available domains is less than 10.