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The B2B e-commerce market is growing fast and is expected to reach $25.65 trillion by 2028. It’s also changing how companies do business. According to research by Gartner, a well-chosen B2B e-commerce platform can automate tasks, seamlessly integrate with existing systems, and reduce operational costs by up to 35%.
The right platform choice can also lead to enhanced growth, improved efficiency, and strong customer relationships. When planned and implemented right, B2B e-commerce enhances customer satisfaction, boosts retention by over 25%, and provides global expansion opportunities.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the current B2B e-commerce offerings to identify which platform could be the perfect fit for your business.
Key Features to Look for in B2B E-Commerce Platforms
To select the best e-commerce CMS as a B2B platform, you need to consider several critical features that can accommodate the unique needs of B2B transactions:
Custom Pricing and Quoting Systems
Personalized pricing models in B2B transactions are important because of the extensive variability in order sizes, material costs, and long-term contract demands. The best e-commerce platform for B2B should offer easy-to-use tools for flexible pricing and fast quote creation.
Payment and Invoicing Options
Complex payment terms in B2B transactions demand platforms that support various payment gateways and credit management features. Your potential e-commerce platform should include automated invoicing to simplify financial processes, improve accuracy, and boost cash flow with timely billing and alerts.
Integration with ERP and CRM Systems
For a seamless operational structure, a good B2B e-commerce platform should integrate smoothly with existing ERP and CRM systems. Integrations with third-party software ensure real-time data synchronization, improving supply chain management and customer relations. As a result, you'll get higher customer satisfaction and long-term growth.
Support for Large Catalogs and Inventory Management
Extensive product catalogs are common across different B2B sectors. The top e-commerce platforms for B2B must handle high volumes and offer intuitive navigation to help users quickly find what they need. Real-time inventory tracking can also make logistics easier and ensure accurate stock management and access to detailed product data.
Self-Service Customer Portals
Giving B2B customers access to self-service portals is important because it reduces dependence on customer service assistance and increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. A top-notch B2B e-сommerce platform provides tools for managing orders, tracking shipments, and accessing personalized information independently.
High Customization Capabilities
B2B businesses often have highly specific needs including unique workflows, tailored user roles, and custom product catalogs. The best e-commerce platform for B2B should offer extensive customization capabilities, allowing you to adapt the platform to personal requirements. If a platform allows you to create custom themes, modify functionalities, and build custom integrations, you can be sure it will grow alongside your business.
Top 7 B2B E-commerce Platforms for 2024
On first impression, it can be tricky to navigate the vast number of B2B platform options. To offer you clearer insights, this article highlights some of the leading B2B e-commerce platforms:
BigCommerce B2B
BigCommerce B2B combines a user-friendly interface and headless architecture that allows you to manage and customize it with ease. It also offers many design options and integrations without technical constraints.
This platform is great for businesses with small budgets that want a flexible and easy-to-use e-commerce solution. If you’re looking for your business to expand effectively without a need for many tech experts, the strong functionality of BigCommerce is an ideal solution.
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce, or Magento, is known for its high level of customization and support for multiple brands. It uses AI-powered personalization to improve the user experience. The platform also offers powerful integration options, which can help you to tailor your online store to specific needs and streamline operations.
This platform is suited for large businesses with complex and varied requirements that need a highly customizable and scalable solution. It's a perfect option if you’re looking for flexibility and control over your e-commerce environment to handle large volumes and diverse product lines efficiently.
OroCommerce
OroCommerce is specifically designed for B2B needs and is excellent at advanced workflow automation. It offers seamless CRM integration to streamline processes and supports complex sales channels and pricing structures.
OroCommerce is perfect for those who are looking for deep customization and automation capabilities within a B2B-focused environment. If your goal is to increase efficiency and productivity with a platform built to support complex B2B transactions and relationships, OroCommerce is a great choice.
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus offers scalability, intuitive design tools, and robust integration capabilities. Its flexibility supports features like personalized pricing, bulk ordering, and multichannel sales. Shopify Plus also enables easy customization through its extensive app ecosystem and APIs, ensuring it can adapt to the needs of growing businesses.
This platform is ideal for mid-sized to large enterprises seeking a user-friendly solution with a strong focus on automation and omnichannel capabilities.
SAP Commerce Cloud
SAP Commerce Cloud provides enterprise-level solutions with strong omnichannel capabilities and real-time inventory management. Its main advantage is its robust structure, which is well-suited for large companies in need of efficient and integrated operations.
If you have a large business that needs comprehensive ERP integration and powerful operational management, then you should consider this platform. It's an ideal platform for those seeking to streamline processes and enhance customer experiences across multiple channels with high efficiency and control.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud B2B
Salesforce Commerce Cloud B2B combines e-commerce with robust CRM functionality. It offers features like AI-driven personalization, seamless integration with Salesforce’s ecosystem, and advanced customer segmentation for targeted marketing.
This platform is well-suited for enterprises that prioritize customer relationship management and need a solution for delivering tailored experiences across multiple touchpoints.
Sana Commerce
Sana Commerce is known for its direct ERP integration, which ensures data consistency and reduces errors. It offers personalized pricing and supports global scalability, which makes it easy to manage international operations. The platform also enhances customer experience with real-time updates and smooth transaction processes.
This platform will work well if you already have existing ERP systems and your goal is seamless integration. Sana Commerce will provide you with greater efficiency and global expansion without disrupting your existing systems.
FAQs
What is the difference between B2B and B2C e-commerce platforms?
B2B e-commerce platforms are made for business-to-business deals, handling bigger order sizes, special pricing for large quantities, and specific contract terms. They offer features like custom prices, bulk buying options, and detailed quote systems to manage the more complex sales processes typical in B2B.
Can I scale my B2B business with these platforms?
Absolutely. Modern B2B platforms offer robust scalability features, such as multi-store support and global transaction capabilities, to help businesses expand their market reach without infrastructure concerns.
How important is ERP integration in B2B e-commerce?
ERP integration is very important in B2B e-commerce because it connects key operations like inventory management, order handling, and customer relationship management. It helps reduce manual work, improves data accuracy, and makes business processes run more smoothly.
What is the best B2B e-commerce platform for wholesale?
OroCommerce is a great platform for wholesale thanks to its specialized features, including tiered pricing, bulk order management, multi-user accounts, and seamless ERP/CRM integration. It’s designed to handle complex wholesale workflows efficiently.
What is the best B2B e-commerce platform for the construction industry?
SAP Commerce Cloud is ideal for the construction industry. It offers advanced product configuration, robust inventory management, and support for large catalogs and custom quotes, which are critical for construction suppliers and contractors.
Overall Takeaways
Which e-commerce platform is best for B2B purposes? The answer is that each platform offers unique strengths, and their key difference lies in being designed for different goals. Choosing the right e-commerce platform will improve your efficiency, keep customers happy, and increase profits over time.
If you're still in search of the right option for you and can't make up your mind, Transform Agency's experienced team will be glad to assist you. Get in touch with us today and decide on the best solution for your business!
Written with the assistance of Sergey G.
Adobe Commerce Business Practitioner | Certified PSM & PSPO at TA
Sergey ensures project success by validating business cases, defining success metrics, and identifying sustainable benefits. His proactive approach leverages existing systems, processes, and data to deliver additional value. Serge excels in planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling all aspects of the project lifecycle, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and strategic oversight.
Sergey ensures project success by validating business cases, defining success metrics, and identifying sustainable benefits. His proactive approach leverages existing systems, processes, and data to deliver additional value. Serge excels in planning, executing, monitoring, and controlling all aspects of the project lifecycle, ensuring meticulous attention to detail and strategic oversight.
