What features should your B2B CMS platform have?
Shopify B2B solution
The purchasing process differs from that of B2C customers. B2B buyers have business processes to follow, budgets to adhere to, and the needs of their end customers to satisfy.
Here are the B2B features to look for when choosing your e-commerce platform.
Shopify B2B
Separate stores for B2B and DTC customers
Consumers may want to use a discount code you sent them and browse your bestsellers. Business customers need to be able to easily order past products, new products, or promotional items.
If you try to meet the needs of both with a single online store, you will likely miss the mark twice. Instead, create separate online stores so you can personalize the buyer's experience based on what your customer is looking for.
The best e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify Plus, will allow you to do this while sharing data between the two backend e-shops. This way, you reduce operational overhead and inventory issues while creating excellent shopping experiences for both types of customers.
Shopify B2B
"Autonomy" options for business customers
Choose a platform that allows your customers to browse, order, and purchase products on their own.
If you're concerned that online tools will deter potential customers, consider this: up to 86% of customers prefer this way of buying rather than contacting a sales representative. This is not surprising—with the right e-commerce software, B2B purchasing feels like a comfortable B2C online shopping experience.
Ensure that the platform you choose provides your customers with the details they need to make a decision and complete a purchase, such as:
- Real-time inventory and stock prices
- Advanced product search
- Easy access to previous quotes and orders
- Product lists and replenishment capabilities
- Order tracking
Online B2B options will allow your customers to order from you 24/7 and avoid unnecessary emails, phone calls, and follow-ups.
Shopify B2B
Tailored and personalized customer experiences
When it comes to personalization, B2B and B2C customers are no different. Both are looking for a seamless and intuitive experience. Companies that sell to businesses seem to agree: 93% of B2B professionals attribute their revenue growth to website personalization.
Personalization in e-commerce for B2C customers includes strategies such as product recommendations, retargeting, and displaying relevant user-generated content.
But business customers have more complex needs, requirements, and processes. They will seek relevant information and opportunities such as:
- Custom pricing and discounts
- Shipping and freight rates for their warehouses and depending on order size
- Easy access to products they have already viewed and/or ordered
- Pre-agreed payment methods
- Quickly access pages, categories, or brands based on their role, previous orders, and other criteria.
The key is to make these details and pages easy to access, and the journey transparent and intuitive.
Shopify B2B
Space for detailed product information
Your business customers need comprehensive product information so they can pass it on in product descriptions that are most useful to their end customers.
Go beyond the product descriptions you use on your B2C storefront and consider adding:
- A comprehensive, categorized list of all product features
- As many use cases as possible
- Detailed dimensions
- Design and style specifications
- High-quality images and videos
Your e-commerce platform should make it easy for you to add product details and for your customers to browse them.
Shopify B2B
Specific and customized pricing
When selling to businesses, a one-size-fits-all pricing model does not work. A small local business and an international brand with millions of dollars in revenue may need the same products from you, but their budgets and quantity requirements will differ.
Your e-commerce platform should facilitate the offering of personalized rates based on parameters such as:
- Specific customer placing the order
- Products added to cart
- Quantities of products purchased by the customer
- Location during sale to international buyers
Your customers will then see personalized prices, discounts, currencies, exchange rates, and tax information. You'll save time that you and the customer would otherwise spend going back and forth to set this up, creating a pleasant customer experience.
Shopify B2B
Customer relationship management (CRM) for high-volume customer profiles
The B2B purchasing process is quite complex. Approximately 95% of professional buyers make purchasing decisions collaboratively, often involving up to five people. This means that their journey is not linear, and you need a way to store these customer profiles.
When you sell directly to consumers, you have their name, email address, and details of previous orders. For business customers, this is not enough.
An excellent solution for B2B sales allows you to store and display details such as company deposits, user authorizations, payment terms, custom prices, tax identification, and multiple contacts.
Shopify B2B
Payments that can be made later and easily tracked.
B2B payments are unique because they are often not paid at the time of purchase. Instead, business customers want to place preliminary orders and pay for them later.
When is each payment due? How will you remember to follow up with a customer? What is the best way to visualize your cash flow based on outstanding payments?
Payment flexibility is excellent for the user experience, but the manual tracking process can take hours of your time each week. Find an e-commerce platform that can automate payments, bill with secure cards, and send scheduled payment reminders.
Shopify B2B
Payment with context and personalized information
Do your customers have all the details they need to complete their purchase? If not, they may abandon their cart to search for the information they need and never return.
Here are some details you should be able to include in your payment:
- Custom payment terms and options
- Wholesale prices and discounts
- Location-specific information
- Product recommendations based on previous orders for easy reordering
- Prices including tax and excluding VAT
Adding this will give your customers complete control over their purchase.
What makes an excellent B2B e-commerce platform?
Shopify B2B
Order management and automated procurement
An automated ordering and supply management system is essential for B2B companies. Businesses need to be able to manage orders, delivery notes, and invoices accurately and in real time. The best e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify Plus, offer supply chain management features such as supplier integration, order planning, and inventory management to improve inventory accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Shopify B2B
Simplified billing and payment process
A smooth billing and payment process is important for B2B companies. The best e-commerce platforms allow for customized billing rates, automated payment options, and customer account management. They also enable real-time invoicing and simplify billing and payment processes.
Shopify B2B
Customer support and training
High-quality customer support and training are important for B2B companies. The best e-commerce platforms offer 24/7 customer support to help companies resolve issues quickly and efficiently. They also offer training sessions to help companies get the most out of their platform.
In conclusion,
For an excellent online B2B platform, it is important to find a platform that meets the needs of B2B companies, offering customization, automated order and supply management, a simplified billing and payment process, and quality customer support and training. Shopify Plus is an excellent choice for B2B businesses thanks to its advanced features and excellent customer support.
