A business to business (B2B) e-commerce cart is not just a platform for customers to purchase products online – it also can offer a host of other features to an organization. It has become apparent that B2B brands can benefit from e-commerce software just as much as B2C brands.  B2B companies have their own category because they may only serve a market of business customers, as opposed to end-use consumers. Wholesale web sites and resellers are just two categories under the B2B umbrella. Many B2B organizations also sell services rather than physical goods. This B2B segment needs specialized e-commerce features to meet such widely varying needs. But most modern e-commerce carts today only offer a few basic features, such as:

Credit Limit

Credit limits module allows setting individual credit limits for customers by integrating limits from both the online e-commerce store and ERP.

Multi-Channel

Offers web and mobile capability, along with back office integration to create a multi-channel customer-centric business. Very few e-commerce carts extend the multi-channel concept to social media, online marketplaces and physical stores.

Price Levels

Setting price levels through product listings. Instead of duplicating the product listing itself, B2B organizations can sell at different prices based on the customer type or, as mentioned above, the customer group.

Quick Order

Instead of forcing bulk shoppers to search or browse products one by one, quick order empower them with the ability to input SKU or part numbers and designate quantity for purchase.

RMA Module

Returns Merchandise Authorization (RMA) module allows easy handling and processing of returns from customers. A fast, easy and automated return process helps to save time and money and improve efficiency.

Multiple Account Login

A user can now log onto multiple accounts using a unique login.
 
But life is moving fast and business scenarios are changing on a daily basis. The demand to sustain in this hyper-competitive world is increasing, and B2B e-commerce features can no longer be only these few. Some of the most powerful features that many e-commerce providers normally omit are:

Streamlined Checkout Process

Complicated checkouts mean abandoned carts. Simplifying the checkout experience with single-page or multi-page checkouts to reduce customer hassle means fewer abandoned carts and increases per-purchase average.

SalesPerson

A SalesPerson module allows assigning a specific sales person to each customer or group of customers to provide the best customer service. Sales reps can easily access transaction history, order status, custom pricing levels and billing and shipping information, as well as place orders for customers.

Advanced Quotation Module

This module is a complete quotation tool that allows a sales reps to create and manage customer quotations or RFQs for new and existing customers right from the store. This gives full, real-time control over RFQs and the ability to create orders from accepted quotes.

Request for Non-Stock Items Module

This module allows easy handling of out-of-stock products through the “Available to Promise,” or ATP, option. There are no surprises for customers, who are notified that specific items are out of stock, when they are expected to be replenished or whether they can split their shipment into separate available and backorder shipments.

B2B Shipping Module

Advanced shipping module allows business customers to set shipping method preferences in both online and offline stores. By supporting all the top carriers and specialty freight providers, as well as calculating shipping costs, this allows customers to select the best option for them.

Layered Navigation Module

This module delivers fast, easy and user friendly navigation which gives customers the quickest way to find the desired items. Customers select the criteria most important to them and instantly receive a list of relevant products, providing a higher level of customer satisfaction.
 
Besides these, the earlier mentioned features can also be extended to provide the B2B e-commerce owners and customers the experience they need. For example, the multi-channel concept can be extended to social media, online marketplaces and other channels. Quick order functionality can be extended to provide more features for faster order placements, etc.

How can i95Dev help?

If you would like to improve your B2B e-commerce, you definitely need the best features available in market. To learn more, please feel free to connect with us at http://www.i95dev.com/contact/or give us a call at 301.760.7499.