Your buyers want an always-on, personalised, omnichannel eCommerce experience. And the leaders in your industry are giving it to them.
In the world of B2B commerce, evolution isn't just about staying current; it's about staying ahead. For merchants, wholesalers, manufacturers and other trade businesses, a seamless buyer experience across all sales channels is no longer a nice-to-have – it's a requirement.
Whilst research confirms the need to accelerate the transformation of B2B eCommerce, however, many businesses are still failing to meet the expectations of their buyers. So, how do you ensure your business doesn’t get left behind?
Think big. To retain customers, businesses must evolve
B2B businesses must think big, as the demand for omnichannel capabilities is surging. Buyers want more channels, more convenience and a more personalised experience. If businesses don’t meet the evolving expectations of B2B buyers, they risk losing their customers to competitors that do.
According to recent research from global management consultants McKinsey & Company:
The modern definition of omnichannel excellence for B2B businesses spans three engagement modes: in-person, remote and 24/7 self-service
Omnichannel approaches lead to greater market share
Every B2B segment prefers omnichannel experiences, regardless of their industry, location, or customer relationship stage
Loyalty is highly contingent on providing your customers “more” - more channels, more convenience and a more personalised experience
Start small: A phased approach to eCommerce development
Starting small has several benefits when it comes to eCommerce including faster time-to-market, reduced risk and better use of capital spend. Tackling digital transformation in manageable steps also helps businesses focus on building a solid foundation, before scaling up.
Most of our clients chose to start with a minimum viable product (MVP), a basic eCommerce solution designed to deliver simple functionality to meet the essential needs of their buyers. Future development is then driven by prioritising business needs, listening to customer feedback and ROI.
Assess the Current Landscape: Before embarking on your journey, understand where you are now. How does your current eCommerce offering compare to what’s being offered by your competitors?
Prioritise Key Requirements: Begin by prioritising the features and functionality that are core to meeting the expectations of your buyers, for example start small with a simple, searchable, online product catalogue before adding additional features as you learn.
Integrate with Existing Systems: Seamless integration with existing business systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Product Information Management (PIM) systems ensures your eCommerce solution functions cohesively. This is not just about tech but about ensuring your teams are aligned, workflows are consistent and the customer experience is unified.
