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In today’s world, B2B companies must use Best B2B eCommerce Platform features. A survey shows over 70% of B2B buyers like buying online more than from sales reps. Also, about 65% of B2B companies say they sell more online.
This move to online shopping is because it’s easy and offers better customer service. It also lets buyers get product details right away.
Key Takeaways
- The majority of B2B buyers prefer purchasing from a website over traditional sales representatives.
- B2B companies are experiencing significant sales growth through their online channels.
- B2B eCommerce Solutions offer 24/7 ordering, personalized experiences, and enhanced operational efficiencies.
- Enterprise eCommerce Software can scale to accommodate business growth without increasing overhead costs.
- Wholesale Online Marketplace platforms enable businesses to expand their global reach and streamline order fulfillment.
What is a B2B eCommerce Platform?
A B2B eCommerce Platform is a software that helps with online deals. It makes it easy for businesses to buy from other companies online. This is different from buying from stores.
Explanation of B2B eCommerce Platforms
B2B eCommerce platforms have special features for businesses. They are not like the usual online shopping sites. These platforms have secret areas, special prices, and deals made just for businesses.
Key Differences from B2C eCommerce
The main difference between B2B eCommerce and B2C eCommerce is who they serve. B2B is for business-to-business deals. It focuses on what other companies need, not what people want to buy.
Features like buying in bulk and getting prices just for you are common in B2B. This makes it easier for businesses to work together.
| B2B eCommerce | B2C eCommerce |
|---|---|
| Business-to-business transactions | Business-to-consumer transactions |
| Customized pricing and product offerings | Standardized pricing and product offerings |
| Bulk purchasing and order fulfillment | Individual consumer purchases |
| Emphasis on meeting the needs of other businesses | Emphasis on meeting the needs of individual consumers |
Knowing the differences helps businesses pick the right B2B eCommerce Platform. This choice can make their work easier, improve customer service, and help them grow.
Why is a B2B eCommerce Platform Important?
A B2B eCommerce platform brings many benefits to businesses. It allows for 24/7 online ordering. This opens up new markets and customers. It also offers personalized experiences, like custom pricing and product recommendations.
Using a B2B eCommerce platform automates sales. This reduces manual tasks and errors. It saves costs and makes operations more efficient. The platform also gives insights into customer behavior, helping businesses make better decisions.
Benefits of B2B eCommerce Platforms
- Increased sales opportunities and market reach with 24/7 online ordering
- Personalized customer experiences, such as custom pricing and tailored product recommendations
- Streamlined operations and cost savings through automation of sales processes
- Valuable data and insights to optimize business strategies and Advantages of B2B Ecommerce Platforms
| Benefit | Description | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Expanded Market Reach | B2B eCommerce platforms enable businesses to connect with new customers and markets that were previously inaccessible. | Nearly 65% of B2B companies across various industry sectors offer eCommerce capabilities, conducting sales transactions online (McKinsey). |
| Increased Sales | With 24/7 online ordering, businesses can generate more sales and revenue opportunities. | In 2023, an estimated 17% of B2B sales will be generated digitally, with a value of $1.8 trillion in the U.S. alone (Statista). |
| Improved Customer Experience | B2B eCommerce platforms offer personalized experiences, such as custom pricing and tailored product recommendations, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. | 80% of wholesale companies invest heavily in their online channels to enhance customer experience (McKinsey & Company). |
| Operational Efficiency | Automating sales processes can reduce manual tasks, errors, and costs, streamlining order processing, inventory management, and invoicing. | 88% of SMBs cite automation as instrumental in being able to compete with larger companies, enabling faster operations and reducing human errors (source not specified). |
| Data-Driven Insights | B2B eCommerce platforms provide valuable analytics and insights into customer behavior, preferences, and purchasing patterns, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and optimize their strategies. | The projected compound annual growth rate of the B2B eCommerce market size is 20.2% through 2030 (source not specified). |
“By 2024, more than half of B2B leaders expect that their revenue will come from digital channels.”
Key Features of B2B eCommerce Platforms
The B2B eCommerce market is growing fast. It’s expected to hit $7.8 trillion by 2028. Modern B2B eCommerce platforms have become more advanced. They help businesses create a strong online presence and offer great customer experiences.
Some key features of top B2B eCommerce platforms include:
- Efficient creation and management of customer-specific catalogs and pricing
- Automated processes and dynamic product mapping to ensure accurate and up-to-date product information
- Seamless integration of product, pricing, customer, and channel data from various external sources
- Personalized user experiences with separate user roles and responsibilities
- Complete order information overview and quick access for buyers, approvers, and administrators
- Negotiation of prices directly on the commerce site without leaving the platform
- Quick order functionality with product ID and quantity or CSV file uploads
- Customizable order templates based on order history
- Revenue-based contracts for optimized customer-specific pricing
These features help B2B organizations offer a better eCommerce experience. They meet the specific needs of their business customers. This way, B2B companies can improve their online presence, increase sales, and build stronger customer relationships.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Customer-specific catalogs and pricing | Tailored experiences that meet the unique needs of each B2B customer |
| Automated processes and dynamic product mapping | Ensures accurate and up-to-date product information for buyers |
| Personalized user experiences | Enhances productivity and efficiency for buyers, approvers, and administrators |
| Negotiation of prices on the commerce site | Streamlines the purchasing process and provides flexibility for buyers |
| Customizable order templates | Improves order management and reduces time spent on repetitive tasks |
By using these advanced features, B2B organizations can create a seamless and engaging eCommerce experience. This sets them apart from competitors and builds customer loyalty and success.
B2B eCommerce Platform Market Overview
The global B2B ecommerce market is growing fast. It reached nearly $11.4 billion in 2024. By 2030, it’s expected to almost double to $22 billion.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region leads with about 80% of B2B ecommerce sales. North America is second, making up about 15% of the market.
Current Market Trends and Statistics
The B2B ecommerce market is very competitive. Big names like Amazon Business and eBay are fighting for customers. They keep improving to offer great experiences and use new tech.
| Top B2B eCommerce Platforms in 2024 | Composite Score | Customer Experience (CX) Score |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify Plus | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Oracle Commerce | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| BigCommerce, SAP Commerce Cloud, HCL Commerce | 8.5 | 8.5 |
| FastSpring | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Sana Commerce | 8.2 | 8.5 |
| Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| MarketTime | 7.7 | 7.9 |
Shopify Plus and Oracle Commerce are among the top B2B ecommerce platforms. They score high in both Composite Scores and Customer Experience. This info helps businesses choose the best platform for them.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a B2B eCommerce Platform
Choosing the right B2B eCommerce platform is key to your business’s success. Before looking at features, ask yourself three important questions:
- Am I going to be disrupted? Today, the risk of being beaten by competitors is high. The right B2B platform can help you succeed, based on your needs and goals.
- What is my business goal? Knowing what you want to achieve, like better efficiency or more sales, helps pick the best B2B eCommerce platform.
- How much investment am I ready to contribute? The cost of a B2B platform includes setup and ongoing expenses. Make sure your budget matches your goals.
After answering these questions, look at the criteria for selecting a B2B eCommerce platform that fits your business. Important things to consider are scalability, how well it integrates, user experience, and security.
| Criteria | Importance |
|---|---|
| Scalability | As your business grows, your B2B platform should handle more traffic and orders well. |
| Integration Capabilities | The platform should work well with your current systems, like ERP and CRM, for smooth workflow. |
| User Experience | Both customers and staff should find the platform easy to use. Features like self-service improve the experience. |
| Security | Strong security, like data encryption, is key to protect your business info and keep customers trusting you. |
By thinking about these points, you can pick a B2B eCommerce platform that fits your goals and helps your business grow.
Top B2B eCommerce Platform Vendors
In the world of B2B eCommerce, OroCommerce and BigCommerce B2B Edition lead the way. They meet the special needs of businesses. They offer features and customization to make online sales smooth.
OroCommerce: The Flexible B2B eCommerce Platform
OroCommerce is a strong B2B eCommerce platform. It’s made for brands, manufacturers, and distributors. It has many features for different B2B models.
Its open-source design lets businesses customize it. This way, they can match their online store to their needs.
BigCommerce B2B Edition: Tailored for B2B Success
BigCommerce’s B2B Edition is a powerful B2B eCommerce solution. It has special pricing for different customers. It also makes onboarding and support easy.
It has self-service for customers. Plus, it works with other companies to offer a great B2B eCommerce experience.
Both OroCommerce and BigCommerce B2B Edition help B2B businesses grow online. They offer flexible and scalable solutions for success.
Sana Commerce
Sana Commerce is a top Sana Commerce B2B eCommerce platform. It works well with big systems like Microsoft Dynamics and SAP. It’s made for companies that make, distribute, and sell products.
For over 20 years, Sana Commerce has helped businesses improve their online sales. It’s a cloud-based system that keeps data up to date. This makes it easy to work with other systems your company uses.
Here are some key features of Sana Commerce:
- It connects smoothly with ERP systems, so you don’t need extra software.
- It shows accurate product and price info, keeping inventory and prices up to date.
- It’s easy for non-tech people to manage the online store.
- It gets better all the time, with new features every two weeks.
Sana Commerce’s Sana Commerce B2B eCommerce platform is easy to set up and use. It helps businesses sell more online and makes it easy for customers to shop anytime. It works well with big ERP systems, making sure data is right and saving money.
Commerce Vision
In the world of B2B commerce, Commerce Vision is a top choice in Australia. It’s made for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers. It works well with ERP systems, making things easier and giving a better online experience for B2B businesses.
Commerce Vision knows B2B is complex. It has features to help manage orders, inventory, and customer relationships. It offers things like custom pricing and detailed product catalogs. This helps B2B businesses meet their specific needs.
| Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Seamless ERP Integration | Streamlines operations by synchronizing data across systems, ensuring real-time inventory updates and accurate order processing. |
| Personalized Buyer Experiences | Tailors the shopping experience to each customer’s unique needs, including custom pricing, catalogs, and approval workflows. |
| Advanced Product Management | Enables the creation and management of complex product catalogs, including configurable and bundled offerings. |
| Robust Order Management | Provides efficient order processing, tracking, and fulfillment, leveraging integrations with logistics providers. |
| Powerful Analytics and Reporting | Delivers comprehensive insights and custom reporting to support data-driven decision-making and business growth. |
Commerce Vision has over 20 years of experience in B2B eCommerce. It’s known for helping businesses in the complex B2B market. It focuses on customer loyalty, practicality, and convenience.
“Commerce Vision has been a game-changer for our business, allowing us to seamlessly manage complex B2B transactions and deliver a superior customer experience.”
As the B2B industry changes, Commerce Vision stays ahead. It uses its advanced features and deep integration to help businesses stay competitive. It keeps up with the changing needs of customers.
Sitecore OrderCloud
Sitecore OrderCloud is a strong headless commerce platform. It tackles the challenges of modern B2B sales. Its API-first design gives businesses flexibility and growth.
It works for many commerce types, like B2B, B2C, and marketplaces. It uses AI for personalization and has many commerce tools. This helps you meet your customers’ specific needs.
Sitecore OrderCloud works well with Microsoft Fabric. This makes managing commerce easier and helps grow your business. It’s easy for both business users and developers to use.
It has helped customers in over 70 countries across many industries. Sitecore OrderCloud is known for being modern, flexible, and scalable.
“Sitecore OrderCloud is a game-changer in the B2B eCommerce space, offering unparalleled flexibility and innovative capabilities to help businesses thrive in the digital era.”
Key Features of Sitecore OrderCloud
- 100% Extensible Model for Business Segmentation
- Price Breaks based on Quantity Ordered
- Realtime Pricing and Inventory
- Segmented, Multi-Supplier Catalogs
- AI-Enabled Commerce for Personalized Experiences
Sitecore OrderCloud has many strong features. It integrates well with Microsoft Fabric. It’s a top choice for a flexible, scalable, and future-proof eCommerce platform.
Znode
Znode is a top choice for B2B eCommerce. It’s a full platform for manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers. It helps these businesses give great customer service and boost sales.
Znode is easy to adjust to fit any business. It lets merchants set up their site fast without a lot of work. It also has a built-in system for managing product info, making it easy to create custom catalogs for B2B customers.
Znode supports many pricing models, like contracts and tiered pricing. It also lets customers send in cart requests as quotes. This makes it easier to negotiate and approve orders.
Znode has strong approval workflows for B2B orders. It helps merchants manage approvals and budgets. It also has great inventory controls for all kinds of products.
Znode’s design is flexible and easy to integrate with other systems. It has a wide range of APIs for seamless connections. This keeps all data in one place, making it easy to manage.
The B Store module in Znode is great for manufacturers and master distributors. It lets channel partners create their own sites and manage product info. This helps keep brands consistent and prices right across the supply chain.
Znode is always improving, with a new Commerce Portal coming soon. It will give an online space for partners, sales reps, and customers. This will make the platform even better for everyone.
Znode is a top choice for B2B eCommerce. It has powerful features and a flexible design. It’s perfect for businesses wanting to grow and succeed online.
Best B2B eCommerce Platform
The digital customer experience is key for B2B companies. Choosing the right Best B2B eCommerce Platform is crucial. It depends on your business needs, goals, and budget.
Now, 65% of B2B companies sell only online. This shows how important a good ecommerce platform is. The best ones have features like easy product management and advanced pricing.
| Platform | Key Strengths | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Commerce (Magento) | Enterprise-grade scalability, flexibility, and customization | Powerful B2B capabilities, advanced pricing and catalog management |
| Salesforce Commerce Cloud | Seamless integration with Salesforce ecosystem, AI-powered features | Price management, automated reordering, and B2B-specific workflows |
| Shopify Plus | Intuitive user experience, scalability, and robust B2B functionality | Customer-specific pricing, assigned payment terms, and self-service tools |
When picking a Best B2B eCommerce Platform, think about your products, channels, and customer needs. Also, consider your growth plans. A platform that offers great omnichannel experiences and personalization is a big plus.
The Best B2B eCommerce Platform meets your business needs. It helps you give your B2B customers a great digital experience.
Evaluating and Selecting the Right Platform
When evaluating B2B eCommerce platforms for your business, look at a few key things. Make sure the platform is modular. This lets you grow and change features as needed.
Also, check if the platform can work well with your current systems. Look for customization options and a framework that can grow with you.
Factors to Evaluate
- Modularity and scalability
- Headless architecture for integration
- Robust integration capabilities with ERP, CRM, and accounting systems
- Customization options and extensible framework
- Localization and multi-regional support
- Cloud-native approach for flexibility and scalability
- Open-source availability for greater control and community support
Implementation and Integration Considerations
When implementing and integrating your chosen B2B eCommerce platform, think about how easy it is to start. Look for pre-built integrations and how much customization you can do. A smooth setup can save you time and money.
| Key Consideration | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Ease of deployment | Faster time-to-market and reduced implementation costs |
| Pre-built integrations | Streamlined integration with existing business systems |
| Customization and development support | Ability to tailor the platform to meet unique business requirements |
By looking at these points, you can select the right B2B eCommerce platform. It should match your business goals and make setup easy.
Future of B2B eCommerce Platforms
The world of B2B eCommerce is changing fast. New trends and tech are making big changes. It’s key for businesses to keep up to stay ahead.
Headless Architecture and Personalization
Headless architecture is becoming more popular in B2B eCommerce. It separates the front-end from the back-end. This lets businesses offer custom experiences for their B2B customers.
Advanced Analytics and AI Integration
Advanced analytics and AI are big trends too. They help businesses understand their customers better. AI makes things like product suggestions and inventory management smarter.
Omnichannel Experiences and Enterprise System Integration
Seamless experiences across all channels are important. Buyers want a smooth journey online and offline. B2B eCommerce platforms need to integrate well with systems like ERP and CRM.
As the Future of B2B eCommerce grows, staying ahead is crucial. Businesses that adapt to new B2B eCommerce Trends will do well. They’ll lead in the fast-changing B2B eCommerce world.
Conclusion
Choosing the right B2B ecommerce platform is key for businesses. It helps them work better, look good online, and serve customers well. Knowing what to look for and what’s trending helps make the right choice.
Businesses need to pick a platform that fits their goals and budget. They also need to stay ahead in the fast-changing ecommerce world. The right platform can help them grow and succeed.
Choosing a B2B ecommerce platform is a big decision. It affects how well a company works, makes customers happy, and does well in the long run. By thinking carefully about what’s best, businesses can grow and lead in the B2B ecommerce world.
