If you run a B2B business, finding an online selling platform tailored for your business needs can accelerate the growth of your company. A well developed B2B platform is absolutely required to keep up with the other digitally transforming businesses. Whether you are a business owner looking to invest in e-commerce growth, a sales order professional looking to enhance the efficiency of order filing, or an e-commerce manager working on expanding sales, every single detail of a B2B platform will have an impact on your sales cycle and your relationships with customers in the long run.
This guide will define what b2b online selling platforms are, their unique features, and provide steps to assist you in finding one that will perfectly align with your requirements.
What Is a B2B E-Commerce Selling Platform?
A b2b online selling platform is an e-commerce system specifically designed for businesses that sell to other businesses rather than to individual consumers. These platforms often include essential functions such as bulk purchasing, multiple price levels, and location management. Unlike B2C systems, B2B platforms will have to deal with larger than average order volumes, more intricate workflows, and greater customization for customer journeys.
Some of the companies that have this type of software include Shopify Plus, BigCommerce B2B Edition, and Magento Commerce. All of them offer some type of these services which focus on the B2B market which helps the business streamline the purchasing activities and effectively manage service delivery in order to foster satisfactory long-lasting business partnerships.
Why Your Business Needs a B2B Selling Platform Expert
If you are still relying on spreadsheets, hand-pdf catalogs, or the conventional printed catalogs to drive your sales, it is high time you turned a new leaf. Here are main impluse reasons that justifies the need of having a b2b online selling platform system in place:
1. The Business’s Overall Operations get Streamlined.
Today’s B2B systems speed up important tasks such as managing orders, receiving payments, and generating reports which tremendously saves time for the sales, e-commerce, and marketing teams. Fewer manual tasks also results in fewer mistakes, smoother operations, and enhanced productivity.
2. Enhanced Customer Experience
Due to the rise in e-commerce, customers expect the experience they have during B2C transactions to be replicated in B2B transactions. Businesses can track customer happiness by providing smooth user navigation, inventory availability in real-time, and simple reorder processes.
3. Scalability
B2B platforms are ideal for businesses experiencing growth or entering new markets, due to their adaptive nature. Expanding is made simpler with added features such as multi-lingual capabilities, automated pricing, and ERP system integration.
4. Insights and Analytics
Good B2B platforms come with useful analytical tools that help monitor customer activity, sales, and new prospects. These tools aid strategic operations by providing factual data rather than relying solely on estimations.
5. Competitive Edge
Unlike traditional sellers, firms with a developed digital platform tend to outperform in customer acquisition and retention, allowing them to gain a competitive advantage. The competition, however, does not solely depend on having a website, as the user experience provided remains critical.
Essential Features Look For In A B2B Selling
Evaluate the b2b selling platform that aligns with your need. Although features may vary from one platform to the other, these are the most common must-have options.
1. Bulk Ordering
Your platform should allow customers to easily place large orders without hassle.
Search for functionalities such as bulk upload of order entries, custom quoting, and order templates for orders that need to be placed repeatedly.
2. Custom Pricing Options
These models may differ from business-to-consumer sales as B2B usually incorporates some degree of tiered/negotiated pricing. Confirm that the platform allows more complex pricing structures like custom price lists for particular customers, discounts based on order volume, or pricing that differs by area.
3. Connecting into Existing Functions
Your software should be able to connect with existing tools in your company like an ERP system, customer relationship management (CRM) software, or even warehouse management systems (WMS) and payment processors. This promotes more effective operational synergy.
4. Customer Account Management
It is commonplace for B2B businesses to have regular repeat customers who expect to see past orders, quotes, and tailored suggestions. A powerful account management capability is required.
5. Responsiveness and its Mobile Versions
Responsive design today goes beyond just having a mobile version of the page, customers expect receiving tailored experiences that cater specifically to mobile devices, be it for stock reordering or browsing catalogs.
6. Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
Having analytics tools that track website performance, buying patterns, inventory management, and other relevant data will be beneficial for your decision-making processes. Reporting and dashboard customization is also a big advantage to such platforms.
7. Protection Features
Due to the nature of B2B transactions, most are sensitive in nature, so it is best to focus on platforms with strong guarantees like SSL, user validation, and fraud defenses.
Selecting a Business Platform: A Complete Guide
Having discussed the important characteristics, is the route map towards the most suitable platform:
Step 1: Outline Objectives
Before any new technology acquisition, ensure that there is a tangible goal in mind that initiatives aim to fullfil.
Would you like to broaden your marketing reach? Would you like to automate order processing? Improve analytics and prediction accuracy? Your objectives should always drive your decision.
Step 2: Analyze the Market Firstly
Some markets might need specialized functions. For example, an industrial equipment dealer may need specific tools like a product configuration capablity, while an office supply wholesaler may emphasize ease of reorders.
Step 3: Talk To Your Staff
Your customer support, sales, and IT departments understand better the functionality gaps or problems that exist within their system. Involve them for improved holistic assessment.
Step 4: Assess the Business Growth
Imagine what your company would be in the next 5 years. Choose a solution that offers ease of flexibility ad their business needs increase.
Step 5: Conduct Vendor Research
Examine the options that are accessible to you. Shopify Plus, Magento Commerce, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce are well-known alternative with great B2B systems. Make sure to take advantage of free trials or demos whenever provided.
Step 6: Focus on Technical Support
Regardless of how good the platform is, they will need assistance at some point. Review the platform’s responsiveness and availability of the support. 24/7 assistance or a personal dedicated account manager is invaluable.
Best Websites For B2B Sales
Here is a list of some of the most popular b2b platforms:
Shopify Plus
Ideal for any business looking for an easy to use interface that they can customize. Offers powerful APIs for integration.
Big Commerce B2B Edition
Offers custom pricing, bulk order tools, and other sophisticated b2b functions. Best suited for growing enterprises.
Magento Commerce
Offers great flexibility and scalability with robust support for integrations. Requires some technical expertise to manage.
Woo Commerce
Ideal for small to medium businesses, flexible, offers ease of use to WordPress powered stores.
Alibaba.com
A global platform best suited for manufacturers and distributors looking to sell to international customers.
Other Considerations
Choosing the right b2b online selling platform is more than just improving your sales. It’s about building a foundation for success. The shift to digital in b2b commerce is real and those who adapt earlier will be better off in a competitive market.
Carefully evaluate your business needs regardless of whether you are starting out or looking to scale so that you can select the appropriate platform.
Looking to implement the right tools for your B2B e-commerce strategy? Contact us and we’ll help you out!
