Questions to Ask During a B2B eCommerce Software Demo

You’ve realized that in order for your B2B wholesale or distribution company to keep growing, it’s time to invest in B2B eCommerce software that will take you to the next level. You have customers who want to order online and a sales team that needs more modern tools. There are many turnkey options out there that can get you up and running quickly. But how do you know which one to choose?

Here are some things to keep in mind before the demo and questions to ask during the demo to slow things down and elicit the vital information you will need.

When you schedule demos with vendors, ask them the same questions. If you see a number of demos--especially over a short time period, it will be sensory overload. Take good notes.

Choosing software in today’s market doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Find one with month-to-month terms, so you can easily get out of it if it doesn’t work for you.

What happens after you make the purchase?

Many B2B eCommerce software programs have similar features, so it’s important to understand what kind of support you will get from the software company and the relationship you can establish with them.

• What kind of support will you get? Is support free?
• What kind of support team is there, and how available will they be?
• Can you get support by phone, email, or live chat?
• Does staff training and onboarding come with the package?
• Is there a personal onboarding process to familiarize your staff with the platform?
• How often is the software updated? Are there any costs for upgrades?

Compatibility Issues

Issues with new software can arise because the software environment in the system includes incompatible elements, so one part doesn't interact well with others. There may be formatting differences or other incompatibilities that are not obvious at first. Ensure that the eCommerce software you choose is compatible with your current systems.  An eCommerce system must work with your accounting software, like QuickBooks.  With a product-based business, you need to ensure your software can keep your records consistent and inventory updated.

• How well does the software integrate with software already in use?
• Does the vendor have experience with the software currently being used?
• Does the software fit well into the existing network structure and your hardware?
• Will you be able to import your past data, previous order information, and historical information without re-inputting it?
• Will past sales numbers be available immediately after the new software is live?

Make sure all of the capabilities of the new software are understood at the outset.

• What reporting capabilities does the software have?
• Does the application have the ability to translate sales data into performance reports and metrics?
• How much data can the software handle? How well does it use the bandwidth available on your systems? Is there room to scale up and handle your business growth?
• How well can the software be customized as your business changes? Are there features to handle discounts, special sales events, and varied inventory? Can the software be personalized to include your own logos and branding?
• Are there sufficient privacy provisions? Will access to information be controllable? How will the sign-in provisions work? Will certain staff be prevented from seeing the data of other staff?

Portability, networking, and flexibility of use are very important for most business software.

• Can staff have access to the software out of the office?
• How well can the software be used in remote locations?
• How convenient is it when working directly with customers?
• Does it have the capacity to create orders and update information in real time?
• Is the user interface intuitive?

The decision to streamline your business with eCommerce software can be important for your company. Make the right choice by asking the right questions.