In the digital world, e-commerce plays a major role in all kinds of business. Customers prefer online platforms for purchasing to traditional purchase methods. This e-commerce platform runs as two models as business-to-customer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) models.
This article elaborates on what B2B e-commerce is and the top 8 B2b e-commerce trends to be followed.
What is B2B e-commerce?
B2B e-commerce is the method of selling products or services between businesses in online mode. In traditional e-commerce methods, businesses approach customers directly for sales, but in B2B e-commerce methods, businesses approach another business for selling their goods.
For example, distributors buy products from manufacturers using B2B process. This helps to promote their products faster than the traditional method. Marketing strategies will be increased in B2B e-commerce which will enhance the customer reach of the product.
To enhance the product reach and sales, businesses use various automation software to streamline the workflow management and business process management.
B2B e-commerce platform provides numerous benefits such as:
- Scalability
- Increased brand awareness
- Reach the market faster
- Covers multi-language customers
- Increased sales
- Quick deliveries
- Reduced infrastructure cost
Top B2B e-commerce trends
1. Location is not a criteria
Since e-commerce is an online business approach, location is not a criterion to sell products. When businesses sell products to another business before reaching the customer, it can cover a vast area. Here, two businesses are involved in promoting the product.
For instance, while manufacturers are promoting products, they may lack in manufacturing. But when manufacturers sell their products to distributors, they can focus more on manufacturing than on marketing.
Distributors will take care of marketing strategies like email marketing, conducting marketing campaigns, and so on. So, the reach of the product will be good when compared to the traditional methods.
2. Multi-site approach
Instead of approaching customers, businesses started to approach another business to sell their products. In this case, they can sell their products using various websites where traffic looks good.
By using automation software, various analysis can be done to find the relevant customer traffic website to promote the product. It can even use social media platforms for promoting the product or service.
Now a days social media platforms play a major role in online promotion of products. It helps to reach the targeted audience in more efficient ways.
3. Mobile supporting applications
In online shopping platforms especially, mobile shopping is being increased now a days. B2B approach also considering this advancement in their marketing strategies. Websites that are created for online shopping are designed to adapt mobile versions. Customers prefer using mobile phones rather than using computers or laptops for shopping purposes.
Various mobile applications are also being developed for B2B businesses. And this mobile application should be user-friendly. A critically designed application is a drawback for the sales being dropping down.
4. Better inventory management
Inventory management is a vital part in any kind of business. If a high demand product is being stocked out it becomes a drawback for the sales. Customers can easily search for the product in other web portals and make purchases.
In B2B e-commerce method, inventory management can be easily maintained by using various automation software. This software provides streamlined task management which includes everything from inventory management to sales automation.
This software enhances inventory management at every stage with proper budgeting. Sales automation is enhanced with proper inventory management.
5. Faster deliveries
Customers prefer a fast delivery option when purchasing online. In recent days, one day deliveries have been increasing rapidly in e-commerce platforms. In online platforms, customers can compare various web portals for satisfying their requirements like fat delivery, free shipping, etc.
At the maximum B2B e-commerce platforms are trying to fulfill customer needs in one step. This can be achieved by various distributors among various locations can provide these fast deliveries rather than distributing from one location.
6. Personalized approach
Customers always prefer personalized approaches in online purchasing. Automation software uses various techniques to analyze customer preferences and behaviors to provide personalized recommendations.
This will help the customers to choose their required products easily from the wide range of platforms. Based on their previous purchases, items added to the cart, or last viewed items, the automation software can provide personalized recommendations for the customer. This will enhance the sales percentage.
7. Usage of AI in customer service
Customer support always plays a major role in sales platforms. B2B e-commerce platform uses AI chatbots in customer service, which will enhance customer service.
This AI chatbot will provide 24/7 customer service also in multiple languages. As this is an online platform customers can approach the helpdesk at any time. While humans handle this, customers need to wait till the service person is available. It is impossible to provide 24/7 customer service with humans or it requires a lot of resources to provide this service.
So, AI chatbots integrated with the automation software helps the businesses to provide enhanced customer service.
8. Real-time feedback
Since all these products are promoted through social media or other online marketing platforms, it becomes easier to absorb the customers real time feedback about the product or service. Social media platform is the place where products can be promoted and reviewed by the customers in wide range.
The real time conversations in the social media about the product or service adds more valuable to the feedback about the product. It helps to improve the quality of service or any other changes regarding the product or service.
Conclusion
B2B e-commerce platforms are increasing rapidly, businesses need to analyze and adopt the trends availing in the marketplace to compete the highly competitive world. Also, automation software and tools are being used to enhance the productivity of the company. Sales automation software integrated with AI will provide the best customer support which will increase customer satisfaction.
To achieve the target in B2B e-commerce platform, utilize all these automated tools and software and analyze and apply all the top trends in the marketplace.
