We will discuss the importance of selecting the right e-commerce platform for B2B organizations, emphasizing the significance of considering major factors when choosing an online shop for long-term commercial growth and success.
What types of e-commerce solutions are there?
The majority of e-commerce solution providers are classified into 3 types: open-source SAAs and headless commerce.
The use of open-source
Open-source platforms are popular among companies that have their own IT personnel. This is because they may update or customize any piece of the code to suit their needs.
Businesses that use open-source platforms must handle PCI compliance, web hosting, security, and new tools or integrations for their web store. This implies that enterprises must assume responsibility for these responsibilities.
SaaS
Software as a service (SaaS) E-commerce solution providers enable enterprises to run their online storefronts using cloud-based technologies. Businesses must pay a monthly charge to utilize this program. This allows them to readily obtain updates and new releases.
The platform and its accompanying infrastructure are provided via SaaS solutions. They include a variety of pre-built features and functions that may be tailored to an organization’s specific demands and business objectives.
Headless
e-commerce solutions separate the front and back end, offering flexibility and faster market entry. However, this separation can be costly and require technological expertise, potentially increasing project expenses.
Choosing between self-hosted e-commerce and cloud e-commerce
There are two types of e-commerce solutions: self-hosted and cloud e-commerce. There are headless, SaaS, and open-source alternatives available.
It is critical to decide how to host your online store. It has the potential to decide your store’s success and performance. As a result, it is critical to make an informed selection.
Self-hosted
These are also known as “on-premise” e-commerce platforms. Online store owners must be responsible for hosting, installation, and software upgrades.
Self-hosted e-commerce Solution providers platforms provide businesses with complete control over the software, server configurations, and modifications. Important issues include software installation, server management, customization, data control, and maintenance.
Platforms that provide customization and control may demand the usage of technical teams for upkeep. This may be challenging, but the end result is definitely worth it.
E-commerce on the cloud
Cloud-based infrastructure is used to host these e-commerce solution providers platforms. Cloud service companies handle e-commerce hosting, storage, and computing resources. It is no longer necessary to handle one’s own servers or hardware.
Cloud e-commerce offers numerous advantages such as data accuracy, cost flexibility, high security, compliance, and ease of access.
E-commerce Solution Providers Model Types
Electronic commerce is divided into four major groups. The parties engaged in the transactions serve as the foundation for this straightforward classification of e-commerce solutions provider As a result, the four fundamental electronic commerce models are as follows:
1. Commercial to Commercial
This is a transaction between businesses. Companies here conduct business with one another. There is no involvement of the ultimate customer. As a result, internet transactions only include manufacturers, wholesalers, merchants, and so on.
2. Consumer to Business
Consumer to business. Here, the corporation will sell its goods or services to the customer directly. Customers may visit their websites to examine items, photos, and reviews. Then customers place their order, and the firm sends the products to them immediately. Amazon is a popular example.
3. Customer to Customer
Consumer to consumer, in which customers come into direct touch with one another. There is no corporation engaged. It enables people to sell their items and assets directly to buyers. Cars, bikes, gadgets, and other items are commonly swapped.
4. Business to Consumer
This is the inverse of B2C; it is a consumer-to-company transaction. As a result, the customer gives the corporation a product or service. Consider an IT freelancer who demonstrates and sells software to a firm. This is a C2B transaction.
5 of the greatest e-commerce Solution providers
1. Shopify
Shopify is a well-known and user-friendly e-commerce Solution providers platform that primarily serves B2B businesses. “Shopify Plus” is their B2B service. It provides a comprehensive set of features and assistance, making it an excellent alternative for entrepreneurs and small enterprises.
Pros:
- User-friendly UI with intuitive built-in functions.
- Extensive app store with a wide range of add-ons and connectors for enhancing functionality.
- Reliable customer service is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with any concerns or queries.
Cons:
- In comparison to self-hosted systems, there are fewer customization choices. There are certain restrictions when it comes to free features.
- Unless you use Shopify Payments, certain payment gateways charge transaction fees.
- Large-scale enterprises with significant traffic levels have scalability issues.
2.DynamicWeb
DynamicWeb is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that includes content management, digital marketing, and e-commerce features. It offers organizations a versatile and scalable option for developing and managing their web presence.
Pros:
- Unified content management, digital marketing, and e-commerce platform.
- Project planning is more flexible with SaaS and Cloud deployment models.
- Architecture that is adaptable and changeable to fit the needs of individual businesses.
Cons:
- Interfaced solution with a greater range of solutions.
- CMS is more specialized than e-commerce.
- SAP ERPs cannot be accommodated.
3. Volusion
Volusion is a small to medium-sized company e-commerce platform. It offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of tools to assist businesses in creating, managing, and growing their online stores.
Pros:
- Marketing and SEO capabilities are built in to assist in generating visitors and enhancing exposure.
- Hosting that is secure and dependable, assuring the online store’s stability and performance.
- A simple UI with simple features for store establishment and administration.
Cons:
- In comparison to other e-commerce platforms, there are fewer personalization choices.
- Unless you use Volusion Payments, certain payment gateways charge transaction fees.
- Customer service may be limited in terms of response and availability.
4.OpenCart
OpenCart is a well-known open-source e-commerce Solution providers platform with robust shop administration, extensions, and customer service features.
Pros:
- The open-source nature of the software allows for great modification and flexibility.
- The UI is simple to use, and the setup process is simple.
- There is a large selection of extensions and themes available.
Cons:
- Advanced adaptations may necessitate technical knowledge.
- The level of community assistance and documentation may vary.
- Certain sophisticated functions may need extra additions or development.
5. commerce tools
commercetools a contemporary, API-driven e-commerce platform designed for e-commerce Solution providers businesses with flexible and scalable solutions.
Pros:
- Headless and API-driven design for enterprises seeking a highly adaptable solution.
- A flexible platform that can quickly adapt to changing business requirements.
- Tools and ecosystems that are helpful to developers.
Cons:
- To fully utilize all features, technical skill is required.
- Customization and implementation can soon become complicated.
- Pricing that is modular and may typically scale based on the breadth of the necessity.
Among the functions of e-commerce software are
Hosting environment: The hosting environment of any particular e-commerce platform will define a variety of features such as SSL, payment processing, shopping cart functionality, and more.
API call volumes: If you decide to utilize a SaaS platform, you should investigate how many API calls are accessible, as well as their efficiency. Some systems, such as Shopify, have stricter API call/second restrictions, making it difficult to set out your online store exactly how you want.
User-friendly online store builder: E-commerce solution providers for e-commerce platform is a big expenditure for most B2B organizations, leaving little opportunity for designers to make things appear nice. E-commerce Solution providers are why having a dynamic, responsive, and user-friendly website builder is critical.
Security: E-commerce shops must deal with very sensitive data that must be kept safe. All web retailers must also fulfill PCI compliance rules, which must be completed in order to avoid penalties and other financial implications.
Possibility of integration
Aside from identifying a platform that matches your e-commerce objectives, consider how your prospective solutions will integrate with your present IT architecture and tech stack. What you want to avoid here are systems that function in silos, resulting in more maintenance costs and resources as well as more potential for error. You also want to make the most of your current technology investments and business processes.
System integration is especially critical as your company grows and enters new markets. To avoid segregated activities that result in additional overhead costs and resources, the e-commerce platform you choose to power your webshop should be compatible with your present tech stack. There are two types of integrated e-commerce solutions available.
E-Commerce solution providers
Your ERP system contains a directly integrated e-commerce solution, such as Sana Commerce Cloud. E-commerce Solution providers are e-commerce platforms that may then access all of your existing ERP data, features, and computations and project them onto the webshop without having to recreate the data.
In a nutshell, your ERP is the engine that drives your online store. This results in benefits such as faster deployment, cheaper maintenance costs, and clearer investments, as well as personalized client pricing functions and many more.
Linked e-commerce platforms
These e-commerce sites operate independently. These solutions just offer the webshop (the front end). Connectors can still be used to link your web store to your ERP. The data is then synchronized with your computer.ERP on occasion, however, all update
calculations must be done twice: once in your online store and once in your ERP. This frequently results in a lengthier and more complicated implementation process, as well as higher long-term maintenance costs and resources required.
Costs of e-commerce
When choosing, budget is always a crucial factor to consider. You may equate purchasing a plane ticket. Some airlines may bundle everything into a single ticket. Others will charge you extra costs on top of the initial ticket price for checked-in bags, seat selection, entertainment, and in-flight meals.
When comparing e-commerce vendor prices, there are several variables to consider. These are some examples:
- The cost of off-the-shelf software
- Fees for implementation
- Any extra connection expenses, such as if the middleware or connectors required to sync your technical systems are not included. out-of-the-box
- Any additional expenses for customization: for anything not included in the base solution.
- Hosting costs: whether they are constant or vary (for example, based on use).
- Any extra hosting partner expenses
- Fees for service and support
- Agency costs (if self-service online shop administration is not accessible)
- Payment service e-commerce Solution providers, for example, are an example of an add-on expense.
- Design or template fees
Comparing e-commerce software vendors can be difficult. While one E-commerce solution providers may appear to be the cheapest at first glance, it may end up being more expensive in the long term. Be aware of hidden e-commerce expenses and make sure you understand what you’re getting into.
Not to mention the costs you pay directly to your e-commerce merchant. Consider how much money you will spend or save on internal staff to administer and maintain your e-commerce platform. This, once again, is dependent on the sort of e-commerce system and supplier you select.
Capabilities for providing assistance
You will almost certainly require assistance from your e-commerce software vendor before, during, and after the deployment of your new e-commerce platform. Consider the extra services provided by your shortlisted e-commerce Solution providers:
- What kind of assistance do they provide from start to finish?
- What kind of training and instruction do they provide their customers?
- How long does it take to obtain a response to your phone call or email?
- Are they active in your area and/or do they provide global support?
The type of assistance you want will depend on the demands of your firm. Large enterprise organizations may have higher standards than smaller enterprises. Whatever they are, your selected supplier should be able to meet your requirements in order for your e-commerce operation to function effectively.
Conclusion
We discussed the many sorts of accessible to businesses wishing to upgrade their web stores. Furthermore, we’ve discussed some of the main concerns for B2B organizations looking for a prospective e-commerce solution providers, such as the hosting environment, API call volumes, and security features.
Integration skills may make or break your work processes when it comes to genuinely efficient B2B e-commerce. The correct e-commerce platform is essential for B2B success. Consider aspects such as out-of-the-box capabilities, integration potential, prices, time to market, and support to make an e-commerce Solution providers choice.
