B2B Portal: definition, features and benefits for your company
Implementing a B2B portal to streamline your online store's business processes is one of the ways you can optimize your order management and ensure customer satisfaction.
In this article, learn everything you need to know about this tool and how to use it to your advantage.
B2B portal: what is it?
Definition
In a business-to-business business model, a B2B portal is an extranet that seeks to optimize the purchasing processes and the exchange of information between the actors involved, such as:
- manufacturers,
- suppliers,
- partners,
- commercial intermediaries, etc.
Differences with ecommerce
The difference with e-commerce platforms or e-commerce websites lies in the fact that the B2B extranet goes beyond the online sales process.
This is because the portal, by integrating other functionalities and systems such as an ERP (in which information is shared and updated in real time), privileges communication, which, at the end of the day, translates into greater efficiency and competitiveness.
What about the B2C model?
Actually, since the business-to-consumer (B2C) model seeks to reach the end customer, the target audience changes and, therefore, the dynamics of buying and selling.
Generally, the conversion rate in B2C is usually lower in this type of model than in B2B, since there is less personalization of the commercial relationship.
On the other hand, in B2C, access to information and supply is much less restricted:
- prices are public,
- information is available, without the need for a user account or profile.
B2B portal: features and functionalities
B2B portals promote collaborative work and encourage better document management. They are also characterized mainly by:
- their scalability, since they can evolve according to the needs of your business;
- their security, as they protect the information that is shared;
- they can be integrated, since they can be aligned with your company's ERP and CRM.
Benefits of having a B2B portal
The advantages offered by the implementation of a B2B portal within your marketing strategy, also benefit the customer, resulting in a double gain:
| Advantage | Benefits for the company | Benefits for the customer |
| Offer better customer service | Strengthening of the brand and the company's image, achieving greater customer loyalty. | Greater satisfaction by being able to check the status of their orders and the availability of products or services in real time and at any time. |
| Automates processes | Optimization of: - logistics, - inventory management, - order management, - content management. |
Improved customer experience with shorter delivery times. |
| Reduced costs | Simplification of business processes and their associated costs as it is an omnichannel solution. | Reduced transaction costs. |
| Enables internationalization | Greater market coverage; more and better sales opportunities. | Access to a wider range of products and services. |
There are e-commerce platforms that help you simplify your needs in terms of business resources by offering a flexible work environment.
Such is the case of Magento Commerce, a platform from which you manage your B2B business, managing several company accounts at the same time and configuring multiple levels of buyers.
For online stores just starting to dabble in the model, Shopify offers tools that make it easy to define a business name, purchase a domain and do all the branding.
Now, if you're looking for a tool to help your sales team with their sales goals, relying on specialized e-commerce software is the best option.
B2B extranet tools
Tecon
Tecon's B2B extranet allows you to simplify your commercial process, facilitating order management, from the security of a private access portal.
The customer creates his profile and has access to all financial information (order status, estimated delivery date, stock availability, etc.).
Tecon
Quartup
The company specialized in the development of software solutions Quartup, offers in the field of ecommerce, a B2B eCommerce portal, which improves the shopping experience of your customers.
In addition, by offering a professional customer-oriented environment, it helps you to optimize and facilitate your business processes.
© Quartup
Quartup
B or not 2 B: that's the question
When an ecommerce (B2B ecommerce) uses the Internet and technological advances to offer its products or services, it is increasing its sales possibilities and ensuring its success.
Going beyond online sales, by offering your customers a much more direct and interconnected communication channel through a B2B portal, can make a difference in the way your business grows and your customers perceive you.
Article translated from Spanish