11 Features B2B eCommerce Store Should Have in 2020

What is B2B eCommerce

Nowadays you’re going to find dozens of ways to formulate what is B2B eCommerce and how it differs from B2C sales. We’ve worked with the niche quite for a while to give you the one combining the ultimate B2B eCommerce definition.

B2B eCommerce is a complex long-term business to business personalized trading based on a rational rather than impulsive purchase behavior.  

Moreover, B2B relationships cover high-volume ordering. That is why it is crucial to have a sync with all layers of the working process and employees’ role divisions of both B2B parties.

If this doesn’t highlight the importance of integrating a well-designed B2B eCommerce platform, what does?

Myths about B2B eCommerce

     B2B is not an online battlefield.

Many still think B2B is about face-to-face interaction. In fact, it is. But to say it is solely a physical business is to miss the chance to thrive in a digital world. Operating on just one level you risk failing to meet the personalization needs of your customers.

    User-friendly B2B websites are not worth the investments.

Wrong. Read the challenges and expectations of an average B2B buyer and you’ll look at the B2B portal aka. store as a real B2B eCommerce solution.

What are the expectations of an average B2B buyer

B2B buyer experience essentials:

• long-term business relationship.
• self-service options at every purchasing phase.
• customized role-based access for its employees.
• scheduled in-time delivery.
• reporting and analytics tools.

Generally, a B2B buyer expects a personalized flexible experience.

What are the challenges of a B2B supplier/seller

B2B buyer journey comprises of many challenges. Let’s go through the major ones.

• Optimize costs on the development, support, and hosting of multiple websites.
• Implement new features faster.
• Handle more than one customized B2B online shop.
• Manage the complex relations with each customer individually.
• Sync with the existing systems (ERP, CRM, WMS, RMA, communication and payment platforms, etc.).
• Automate B2B processes.

With that said, let’s proceed with an in-depth analysis of the B2B eCommerce website features necessary to cover both seller and customer’s challenges & expectations.

11 Key Features Every B2B eCommerce Webstore Should Have

To power your eCommerce B2B business, it is essential to choose the most appropriate platform that’s constantly updating with the emergence of new B2B eCommerce trends. Make sure your website has these features.

User and Roles Management

Provide role-based access control to certain functions, kinds of information, content, etc. for each unique customer.

Product Catalog

Create detailed product descriptions and a comprehensive product catalog, or otherwise connect to a content provider.

Integration with content providers

Sometimes it is better to invest in quality and be sure you’ll be doing great. Thus, the website should be able to integrate with various content providers, ex., Icecat, GFK, XPlace, CNET, etc.

Pricing optimization

The website should be ready to provide a tech possibility to accustom prices depending on a user logging in. What’s more — think of bundle and product combinations special pricings.

Easy check out process

Give as much necessary functionality as possible: establish a direct connection between your customer and a delivery company – all through a single B2B website.

Integration with product management systems

Connect to ERP, CRM, WMS, RMA, and various communication systems, etc. You want to grant a sync smooth experience.

Payment systems integration

Provide a choice. Connect various payment methods suitable to every diverse customer.

Orders and Quotations

Include operations as bulk ordering, reordering, tracking, an ability to retrieve latest orders information and manage a personalized quotation-discounts.

Mobile experience

Set an autocomplete function and a vivid CTA. People start search with a smartphone. And a B2B is not an exception here.

Intuitive easy search

Don’t make your customers click a hundred times to find a specific thing. Ease the process with a search tool. And, btw, it would benefit your website’s SEO.

24/7

Provide customer support team guidance.

Make sure to invest in an efficient and intuitive webshop

All in all, it is in your favor to fuel the B2B buyers with a smooth buying experience.

Now, have you heard of a multitenant approach? Taking the fact that you most probably have more than 3 B2B buyers — you want to learn about this solution.

Multitenancy is an approach for an efficient B2B eCommerce Platform. It has two levels of data. The main core — which is common to every customer, and a set of functions & configurations that can both be shared and personalized.

B2B Bottom line?

B2B is a fast-growing and complex area of business, giving you the chance to perform high-volume operations, think big and do big to make a way to B2B top brands. 2020 keeps knocking and reminding it is an era of digitalization. So, please, make sure you provide customers with an impeccable experience. Besides, keep in mind the fact that mostly there are multiple B2B buyers — each demanding a customized buying process. Look for the ways to use all the perks and features of B2B eCommerce Websites.

B2B eCommerce website development takes effort. To get a customized B2B eCommerce solution reach out using the form below: