How well does your order fulfillment process work? Is everything as smooth as it could be? Do shipments get to your customers on time without errors? Can your fulfillment center get orders from you quickly and out the door with little effort? Could there have been better communication between your company and your third-party fulfillment center (3PL)?
A B2B online ordering system for wholesale, manufacturing, and distribution companies fundamentally differs from a B2C shopping cart. It needs special features that are not found or required in online retailing. Trying to make a B2C system do the job of a B2B system will likely end in frustration. It is better to start with an eCommerce system specifically designed for your needs. Some key components separate B2B online ordering systems from consumer shopping carts.
Whether it is retail or wholesale, the sole objective of any business owner is to make sales and improve profitability. What is B2B eCommerce, and how is it different from B2C? The key differences between B2C and B2B are pretty simple, although the revenues generated are vastly different.
Is it a slow process for your wholesale customers to order from your company? This can frustrate customers who have become used to having instant ordering ability in their private lives. These customers see that it's possible to make ordering one-click easy, so they are no longer satisfied with the old processes when buying in bulk for their companies. It might be time for your B2B business to modernize the order process.
Here are some things you can do that customers will immediately appreciate:
Implementing integrated order entry software is one of the most effective ways to streamline your order processing routine. Your sales reps, customer service staff, and wholesale customers can place orders online, and those orders will be automatically created in QuickBooks without any additional data entry. Order entry software can also help streamline your entire fulfillment process.
You may have some systems and processes you've outgrown but haven't had the time or resources to address. If you're like a lot of fast-growing wholesale businesses, your order fulfillment process could be very high on that list.
When you first opened your doors, you may have been able to take orders, grab the inventory, and box up the product yourself. Today, you have more incoming orders than you and your team can handle. If you're still using the same process that you did back when you were a one-person operation, you may have a serious problem.
Long ago, retail stores and other B2B customers typically bought many items at once and then stored them in warehouses until they were almost out. Then, they'd restock with enough items to keep them in stock for months or even longer. This practice made it so that their wholesale suppliers didn't have to be too speedy when filling orders, and in some industries, it was typical for delivery to take several weeks.
Sales reps are the linchpin of a thriving, profitable wholesale distribution business. They foster crucial connections between your enterprise and your clients, guiding customers through their buying journey to ensure a seamless and satisfying experience.
Order processing, for small wholesale businesses in particular, can be a nightmare — as a wholesaler, you’re acutely aware of this.
B2B eCommerce is becoming one of the most efficient ways for wholesalers to reach customers. Even smaller companies can afford to benefit from the opportunity that B2B eCommerce software offers. Giving your customers and sales reps an online order management system will ensure your wholesale business is poised for growth.
