Although the B2B eCommerce market is still not as well developed as that of B2C eCommerce, most companies that sell to other businesses are now getting into it.  There has been a change in the buying habits of many businesses, for example, from physical stores to online, which is prompting B2B sellers to establish eCommerce sites. Also, online stores have many benefits such as reduced operating costs and providing round-the-clock selling opportunities.

To succeed in online selling, a B2B seller first needs to choose a reliable B2B eCommerce platform. Below are some of the key considerations when picking one:

Ease of Integration with ERP software

Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP) combines all the key back-office areas, such as inventory management, human resource, and accounting, into one system. This allows businesses to manage their daily activities or operations efficiently.

When choosing a B2B eCommerce platform, you should pick one that integrates seamlessly with your ERP system to have all your online store functions synchronized with your backend functions. A good example is if a customer buys from your online B2B store, the information should be automatically relayed to your ERP for invoicing, updating the inventory, and capturing the customer’s details.

Responsiveness and mobile accessibility

Like the buyers on B2C eCommerce sites, B2B buyers will also purchase items or services online using multiple devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and so on. As you choose a B2B eCommerce platform, it will be best to go for one that allows shopping across multiple devices. The web content should be properly rendered on different gadgets so buyers can buy at their convenience—even when on the go. The good news is that you can count on Virto Commerce as your B2B eCommerce platform because it allows an enjoyable shopping experience across all their devices.

Self-service functionality

Typically, B2B buyers prefer having the freedom to access the information they need as they transact and to solve things by themselves. In light of this, when choosing a B2B eCommerce platform, you should look for one that will offer the shoppers the chance to access information like quote approvals, shipping details, and order tracking.

Technical support availability and reliability

Given that online stores run round-the-clock, and systems are bound to develop issues from time to time, you will need technical support occasionally. This means you need to check if the B2B eCommerce platform has a reliable support team. The last thing any company running an online store would want is to be kept in the queue waiting for hours when their web store has problems that require technical assistance. To be sure the platform has a reliable support team, you should try to contact them and see how easily you get to talk with a real person who can assist you immediately.

Scalability

You need to choose a B2B eCommerce platform that allows you to scale your online store as needed. This is because your business is likely to grow with time and will need to expand or have more products, features, etc. to match the growth. You should be sure the platform you pick is flexible and doesn’t restrict you or cost too much to scale up.

Conclusion

Picking the best B2B eCommerce platform for your online B2B store should not be complicated. You should consider factors such as the platform’s integration with ERP software, its responsiveness, and mobile accessibility, self-service functionality, technical support reliability, and scalability.