{"id":10743,"date":"2022-12-06T14:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T13:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/?p=10743"},"modified":"2023-11-15T16:57:25","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T15:57:25","slug":"b2b-webshop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/b2b-webshop\/","title":{"rendered":"This is why building a B2B webshop is something worth considering"},"content":{"rendered":"

Would you like to start an online store<\/a>? Then chances are you'll be selling things like clothes, sporting goods, kitchen stuff or who knows, homemade toys. However, what many entrepreneurs overlook as a possibility: starting a B2B web shop with which you sell purely to other companies.<\/p>\n

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Explained: what is a B2B webshop?<\/h2>\n

In short, a Business to Business webshop<\/strong> (B2B webshop) is an online store aimed at selling products and services to other companies.<\/p>\n

So starting a B2B webshop means that you focus on business customers<\/strong>. This is in contrast to a Business to Consumer webshop (B2C webshop). Those who start such a B2C webshop target regular consumers. That could be your neighbor, your colleague, your lover or completely anyone else. \ud83d\ude03<\/p>\n

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\"Webshop-b2b-cart\"
Sell (new) products with your online wholesaling business<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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The purpose of B2B web shop<\/h3>\n

B2B webshops want to help their business customers as quickly as possible. Because companies (e.g. wholesalers) in their turn need your goods or services in order to stay in business. For many of those customers, the best B2B webshop is a shop where they can order in bulk<\/strong>, see purchase prices (prices excluding VAT), get special discounts, invoice on account ...<\/p>\n

So, in general, B2B web shops provide an efficient way for companies to make their purchases and for suppliers to sell their products.<\/p>\n

While the online business owner responsible for these B2B webshops provide simplicity, speed and transparency in the purchasing process. An example of a B2B webshop<\/strong> is Amazon Business.<\/p>\n

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The reason for a B2B webshop: numbers don't lie!<\/h2>\n

Recent figures show that e-commerce is booming at the seams. That's also the case for B2B e-commerce. Believe it or not, but growth is progressing even faster in this industry.<\/p>\n

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By 2023, B2B e-commerce will continue to grow faster even as the economy decelerates.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Despite challenges such as inflation, a disrupted supply market and a manpower shortage, total B2B sales by U.S. manufacturers and distributors grew<\/strong> to as much as $14,86 billion in 2022.<\/p>\n

This is a 14.5% increase from $12.98 billion. So writes Digital Commerce 360<\/a>, a news website specializing in e-commerce. According to the site, B2B e-commerce will continue to accelerate through 2023<\/strong>, even as the economy decelerates.<\/p>\n

So building a B2B web shop is not a bad idea at all! After all, you're investing in a successful, business market.<\/p>\n

Not unimportantly, you can increase your own company's sales and profitability. You do so by processing larger orders, but also by attracting more customers.<\/p>\n

When those business customers feel satisfied, they'll return. In turn, their loyalty provides growth and future expansion opportunities. For example, by exploring new markets.<\/p>\n

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Benefits of a B2B Webshop for an online entrepreneur listed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Benefits of a B2B webshop<\/h2>\n

What's in it for you?<\/em> \ud83d\ude04 These benefits of a B2B web store are an answer to that. Many of these advantages are actually B2B webshop tips as well.<\/p>\n

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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Time saving.<\/strong> B2B webshops must have automated order processing. That way you save on administrative costs. You also have less chance of errors and you don't have to do or check everything manually.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>High customer satisfaction. <\/strong>24\/7 purchasing products and providing services, reading detailed product information, checking current stock information ... Use your shop to increase customer satisfaction and improve customer service.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Strong brand identity. <\/strong>Due to increased buyer satisfaction, B2B customers gain confidence in your company and you increase your (online) visibility.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>More sales and profits.<\/strong> As we already wrote: new customers, more orders, better prices ... benefit your business.<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Discover new markets.<\/strong> Consider international shipping, increased reach, offering services in different languages ...<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Better competitive position. <\/strong>With your B2B webshop, you can compete with other companies that are already active in e-commerce. By doing so, you seize the opportunity to improve your competitive position and gain market share.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Starting a B2B webshop: define your e-commerce strategy<\/h2>\n

Get to work on your online store! Trust us: starting a B2B webshop is only feasible after you have developed your e-commerce strategy. For example, you will need to define your webshop costs<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Brief example of an e-commerce strategy:<\/p>\n

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Start building a strong brand identity and generate brand awareness by engaging in targeted online marketing. Invest in search engine optimization (SEO), social media and free email marketing<\/a>. In addition, set goals such as rapid response times and transparent communication.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In other words, pitch your plans and goals<\/strong>. Because you can't make a difference in B2B e-commerce in a thoughtless way. After all, you need to be able to compete with other competitors in your business market<\/strong>. With a clear and effective strategy, you can work not only more efficiently, but also cost-effectively.<\/p>\n

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Tip<\/p>\n

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Read this article where we explain what a webshop costs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How do you concretely manage your e-commerce strategy?<\/h3>\n

Below, Combell lists 6 questions<\/strong> you should ask yourself. With the help of our tips, answers are at hand. \ud83d\ude09 Bring them into practice and succeed in the digital B2B market.<\/p>\n

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Question 1: what does your B2B market look like?<\/h2>\n

No blindsides: you need to know better than anyone else who your customers are. First, begin to find out in which target group and market those enterprises operate.<\/p>\n

You define the target group and market by doing (online) market research, analyzing existing customer data, exploring the competition.<\/p>\n

This will help you learn, among other things, the characteristics, size, needs and traps of your operating area. It will help you getting to know your potential customers and reaching them more effectively.<\/p>\n

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Find out who your customers are<\/h3>\n

There are several ways to find out who your B2B webshop's customers are, including:<\/p>\n