E-commerce for Manufacturers

OK so many readers have probably seen this statistic floating around by now, but it is truly amazing and illustrates how important eCommerce really is for B2B’s:

A Forrester research report noted a huge gap between 2013 projections for B2B ecommerce ($559 billion) and B2C eCommerce ($252 billion).

We have mentioned this statistic other blogs, but we have not mentioned that this means huge opportunity for manufacturing companies! This blog will focus on key considerations, helpful hints, common benefits of b2b E-Commerce for manufacturers as well as a link for a free whitepaper.

Some things to consider if you:

• Have ecommerce for your manufacturing company
• Want to have ecommerce for your manufacturing company
• Are unsure if you should have ecommerce for your manufacturing company
• Don’t think it’s necessary to have ecommerce for your manufacturing company

1. So, you have an ERP system…
ERP systems are undoubtedly one of the most important tools for successful business, so are CRM systems- but they are not the answer for your online sales! You need an eCommerce solution that will give you significant integration to your ERP system, that is for sure, but that solution needs to be designed for B2B eCommerce above all else and your B2B E-Commerce provider needs to understand eCommerce for manufacturers

2. Customers have eCommerce expectations.
Even though Forrester has proven B2B ecommerce to be larger than B2C, B2C has been around longer. We have all been groomed by B2C experiences which make customer experience and satisfaction extremely important. An eCommerce platform (not an ERP or CRM add-on) will allow you to do this, especially if that solution has a customizable content management system.

A few elements in successful E-Commerce for Manufacturers:
• easy to read
• easy to use
• simple
• attractive
• obvious and easy checkout process
• up to date information, pricing, catalogs, etc
• make your contact info obvious in case customers have problems or questions
• the fewer clicks the better

Providing an easy to use, simple, and enjoyable experience is key to B2B eCommerce because of the behavior we have all learned as B2C shoppers.

3. 58% of B2B customers prefer to make repeat purchases online
That is a stat from a recent study by search marketing professionals and business.com. So if 58% of customers prefer online ordering—why aren’t more B2B companies giving them what they want? A report from oracle stated that only about 25% of B2B companies have eCommerce options, and an even smaller number keep those ecommerce sites up to date! As a manufacturer your largest source of orders, or at least the orders you can count on time after time, are probably repeat orders from current customers- 58% of them want to do business with you online!

I smell some competitive advantage, don’t you?

If you are still not impressed, here are a few (of many) benefits of E-Commerce for manufacturers.
1. Easy connection and interaction with customers through your ecommerce site
2. Reduces /eliminates data entry errors when integrated with your ERP and other data intense systems
3. Increased productivity
4. Streamlined selling
5. Decreased investment on bringing in new business- a well organized and well optimized site will allow potential customers to find you, not the other way around
6. Lowers costs associated with sales
7. Up -selling and cross-selling opportunities increased
8. Gives your sales team more hours in the day spent selling when integrated with your other systems (not updating ERP info, fixing data entry errors, etc.)
9. Increased competitive advantage in terms of service and pricing (in some cases)
For more information download a free white paper: “13 Reasons Why B2B eCommerce Storefronts Are Different than B2C”
About e2b teknologies:

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Chardon, OH, e2b teknologies provides ERP, accounting applications, custom cloud-based software development services, AR collections management software, and calibration services through its three business units – e2b anytime apps, e2b enterprise, and e2b calibration. e2b enterprise develops custom cloud-based business applications and resells leading ERP accounting software, CRM, HRMS, and other enterprise business software applications from Sage Software, Epicor, Intacct, Sugar CRM, and other publishers. e2b anytime apps is the publisher of Anytime Collect, Anytime Assets, Anytime 500, and related Anytime brand products.e2b calibration is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited calibration laboratory.
Our goal is to provide customers with great products backed by world-class support, development services, and business consulting to help them achieve their goals – on-time, and on-budget. Contact us today for more information or to speak with one of our software experts.
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