B2B Ecommerce Integration: Why It Matters
In the world of B2B ecommerce, the word ‘integration’ is used a lot. There is more than one reason for this. In fact, integration is key to many facets of successful ecommerce, particularly if you are a B2B business. In this blog, we will
be looking at the different types of integration and why they matter.
If you are new to B2B ecommerce or feel your website is missing a trick, this information will lift the lid on what your competitors are doing. The secret to making money online is to keep costs low. Many people think automating processes
alone will achieve this. But, to be really efficient, you need to ensure that your ecommerce website is integrated with other systems.
Imagine running a physical store with no co-ordination. Think empty shelves, unhappy customers and no money going through the tills. Now apply the same lack of co-ordination to a B2B ecommerce website. Can you see the potential for big problems?
Basic co-ordination, which every B2B ecommerce website should have, includes:
- Integration with payment gateways
- Integration with back-end accounting
- Integration with your inventory (ERP) system
Integrating these basics will make your business tick. But there’s more. Full integration limits the amount of data you will have to input. It keeps track of everything from stock levels to pricing. Some forms of integration use batch updates.
This is not great when the success of your business depends on real-time data. The last thing your website needs is information that was relevant yesterday or last week.
That is why market-leading B2B ecommerce websites don’t just integrate with basic systems.
Full ecommerce integration explained
A bi-directional flow of information is key. It ensures your ecommerce website deals in real-time data. For example, it won’t sell a customer a product that is out of stock. It will apply a newly-launched discount. And it will know if a price
needs to go up or down.
Full integration saves time and keeps your business competitive. It also reduces costs. Imagine your inventory automatically updating when a product becomes available. Think about being able to sell your products across multiple channels.
For best B2B ecommerce practice, consider integrating your website with:
- Third party suppliers
- Multiple channels
- Distributors
- Content providers
- Reporting tools
- Marketing campaigns
The benefits of B2B ecommerce integration
By embracing integration, you will make your B2B ecommerce website more competitive. You will improve the user experience and retain more customers. Importantly, you will sell more.
Not sure if your ecommerce website is capable of full integration? Talk to us. We are Comgem, the innovators behind award-winning B2B ecommerce platform Gemsuite. We provide the full range of B2B ecommerce services – from website design to
integration.
Visit our website or book a no obligation demonstration.