What is a B2B platform;
B2B platforms (Business-to-Business) are digital marketplaces where businesses can buy and sell products and services to other businesses. These platforms connect manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers, allowing them to conduct business transactions online. They usually offer a big range of features such as product listings, pricing, payment options, order tracking and customer support. They also provide a way for businesses to reach a wider audience, increase their visibility and expand their customer base.
How B2B platforms work;
Businesses interested in using a B2B platform need to register and create an account. In many cases, direct registration is not available. The B2B customer becomes a member after contacting the company. Once the customer finds a product or service they want to buy, they can place an order directly through the platform. The platform can offer various payment options, such as credit card, invoice or remittance. In many of them, order tracking and other features are offered to help ensure smooth delivery.
What is the main difference between a normal e-shop and a B2B platform?
A B2B platform is almost the same as an eshop. But there is one important difference: In order for a user to be able to complete an order, he or she must be a merchant (it is only for professionals) and have an account on the platform (there is no possibility to complete an order without being a member). Registered users, see different prices for each product, depending on the user level they belong to and the quantity they want to order. In most cases, Business to Business platforms are aimed at wholesale. Also many products that appear in B2B, are not available in the regular eshop and they are only available for merchants. In summary the main differences between eshop and B2B are:
Different customer audience: Online shops are generally designed for consumers (B2C), while B2B platforms are aimed at businesses. Online shops focus on providing an easy shopping experience for individual customers, while B2B platforms provide a set of tools and features that meet the needs of businesses.
Pricing: Online stores generally offer fixed prices for their products, while B2B platforms often negotiate pricing and offer discounts based on volume or long-term contracts.
Features: Online stores usually offer a simple interface with basic functions such as searching, filtering and checkout, while B2B platforms provide more advanced functions such as supplier management, purchase order tracking, invoicing and payment processing.
Trust relationships: Online stores focus on providing a one-off shopping experience for customers, while B2B platforms focus on building long-term relationships between businesses and suppliers.
Can a website be both a retail eshop and a B2B platform at the same time?
Yes it can and it is actually very common. Website owners often create a retail eshop that anyone can shop in, which is also a marketplace for B2B customers. Visually, the differences are infinitesimal (often product lists are offered without description, for easier browsing for the merchant, since he knows the products he wants to order). The website "transforms" from eshop to B2B as soon as a wholesale customer logs into his account. He automatically sees different prices, depending on the deals and has the possibility to order large quantities of products unlike a retail user who cannot or can but without a merchant discount.
Cooperation with Hexabit for B2B manufacturing
The Hexabit web development company, specializes in design and development of Business to Business platforms, having already in its portfolio many companies which it has worked with. Therefore, having extensive experience in commerce platforms, it can help you create your own wholesale platform based on the following features:
Proper structure: B2B platforms compared to simple websites and eshops, have a different structure and presentation. They are addressed to different audiences and therefore have different features and additional functions.
Highly optimized techniques: An important part of a B2B platform is quick and easy user navigation. This is why, they should be highly optimized to achieve fast loading speeds.
User experience: User friendliness and a provided user manual are mandatory for completing an order.
Technical support: After developing of the B2B, we provide technical support for questions and improvements that can be made to the project.
Best value for money: Hexabit projects are characterized as "value for money" since the services provided are priced optimally, in relation to the result.