Scottrade Launches Online Stock Community

This week Scottrade officially opened its doors to the public for viewing its new financial Community of Scottrade members. The Scottrade social network is designed to build customer knowledge, relationships, and promote investor education.

Originally launched back in April the new community site was only available to select Scottrade customers. Since though Scottrade has allowed all members access and now the public is permitted to take a peak but not create an account.

I had the opportunity to have some questions answered by a Scottrade representative to find out more information. Here is what they had to say:

1. What is the idea behind the Scottrade Community?

The Scottrade Online Community was created to allow customers to communicate with and educate each other. The Online Community is a place for our customers to come together, collaborate, discuss and learn about new ideas regarding Scottrade’s platforms, products and services. Scottrade customers can also provide feedback directly to Scottrade product specialists who develop and manage the trading tools, products and platforms used by Scottrade customers. This ability allows Scottrade customers to have a true voice in their own trading experience.

2. I noticed the main content generation area was with the blogs, is the main purpose for instance to share investment ideas?

Blogs, discussion groups and file sharing combined with content such as photos and videos/podcasts on the Scottrade Online Community, allow customers to share ideas, strategies, tips, articles, layouts, filters and spreadsheets. Whether customers share strategies or talk about how they use ScottradeELITE® most effectively, these tools are available for customers to learn from one another.

3. Am I looking at what will be a Community similar to Tradeking and Zecco where members can share actual trades as well or is this something different?

The Scottrade Online Community does not integrate actual trade information into the Community. The Community is focused on learning and open dialogue with like-minded individuals.

What I find interesting is Scottrade’s viewpoint of focusing on education over say the positions you are currently holding in your broker account. The site looks very simple right now as far as design is concerned but should prove to be pretty effective if the team can actually allow members to do everything they plan.

For more information please view the official press release. Screenshots below:

––