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eCommerce is an important part of the B2B sales strategy, but the world of eCommerce is big and complex. Creating an effective online store can involve the setup of a huge number of items, all of which need to work in harmony with each other to fulfil a modern-day customer’s expectations when shopping.

The Challenges of B2B Ecommerce

Endless Juggling:
If your business does not have an integrated eCommerce system, you may find you are juggling a seemingly endless collection of software, platforms and systems behind the scenes to meet today’s customer expectations.

Human Error:
If you carry out a lot of manual processes you may also experience a lot of human error when inputting the same data into multiple different systems. Shipping addresses can be entered wrong, incorrect inventory levels can lead to overselling and product information could be incomplete, incorrect, or even missing. This can lead to a poor customer experience and ultimately a reduction in customer retention, bad reviews and loss of profits.

Poor Experience:
All of this can lead to a poor experience of b2b eCommerce for both your business and the customers who deal with you. Integrated eCommerce will help you manage your eCommerce site much more effectively.

What to expect from integrated eCommerce

When your business switches over to integrated eCommerce you will see a huge improvement in connectivity and coordination.

Systems are linked together: You could think of integration as an extremely well-built network of roads that connects each and every one of your systems. It essentially links your online storefront and other online sales channels to your back-end systems (such as an ERP platform, warehouse management system, finance software etc.). 

Bidirectional flows of information:
Integrated eCommerce is the coordination between a company’s eCommerce site and back-end accounting and ERP systems. Connecting an eCommerce website to an ERP system allows for bidirectional flows of information between the two systems.

Enter data once:
This flow of information bidirectionally between the two systems means data only needs to be entered into the system once. Data such as product specifications, pricing information, customer details, and order information no longer needs to be entered into both your backend systems (this could include ERP or CRM systems) and your eCommerce site.

Once your b2b eCommerce platform is fully integrated you will enjoy all the benefits of coordination between your eCommerce website and back end systems. Integrated eCommerce is essential for a well-functioning eCommerce platform, saving your B2B company time, helping with efficiency, preventing errors and ultimately improving your profit margins. Find out more about the benefits of integrated eCommerce here.

If you need help setting up a world-class integrated eCommerce website, we can help. Find out more about GOb2b, our integrated eCommerce platform.