Customer order management and fulfillment is an ongoing process for any company. If you are a wholesaler, manufacturer, or distributor, you may have larger orders to ship out compared to a B2C retailer. Using order management software that allows you to keep track of orders and automatically transmit them to a 3PL (third-party logistics provider) can be the key to getting orders out the door faster and with minimal effort. Using a high-quality service provider that can help you fulfill your orders will help ensure that you reduce mistakes in the fulfillment process, reduce shipping costs, and gain access to higher levels of technology that you would otherwise be unable to invest in.
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.
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.
If you have a B2B eCommerce platform, your entire business depends on it. Most of your customers are probably doing business through your platform, and if it doesn't fit what they want or need, they'll go somewhere else. When businesses need something, whether it's a lower price or more modern technology from a company, they'll do whatever it takes to get it. Unfortunately, some companies will leave a company they've been doing business with for years if it can't meet their discerning standards.
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 your wholesale ordering process lagging behind the expectations of your customers? In today's fast-paced world, customers are accustomed to the convenience of instant ordering in their personal lives. They know that one-click ordering is possible, and they expect the same efficiency when purchasing in bulk for their businesses. It may be time for your B2B company to innovate and streamline your order process.
Here are some things you can do that customers will immediately appreciate:
B2B eCommerce presents its own unique challenges—while it shares similarities with B2C eCommerce, the differences are profound.
In the beginning, you likely relied on Excel spreadsheets, phone calls, and emails to manage your wholesale orders. Like many smaller B2B enterprises, you probably had a pile of printed invoices ready to pass on to your warehouse team for order fulfillment.
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.
Inventory management varies significantly across businesses, departments, and products. It hinges on your current practices, capabilities, the skills and availability of your team, and the specific demands and expectations of your customers.