Why Use a Specialist for Your B2B Ecommerce Website?
The Office for National Statistics recorded 70,000 website developers and designers in the UK in 2016. Since then, that number has increased considerably. The sheer range of businesses and individuals offering some form of website
service makes the B2B ecommerce landscape extremely difficult to navigate. So, why use a specialist for your website?
It is important to understand that website developers and designers do two completely different jobs. Website developers are concerned with features and functionality to ensure your website works properly. They use programming
languages such as HTML, CSS, Javascript, C# and others to build your online presence to meet your needs. Website designers focus on the creative aspect and craft visual elements using graphic design programs.
What does this mean for you, if your business is looking for a B2B ecommerce solution?
Beware the rogue developers
Some outfits offering website development use existing platforms. They are not website developers at all. Instead, they will design a website using another company’s technology. Your B2B ecommerce solution will not be bespoke and
will not be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. In many cases, you will be presented with a B2B ecommerce website that has been cobbled together on a B2C platform. And it is unlikely to integrate with your
back office systems.
The danger of being shoehorned into a B2C website solution is that it will not serve the needs of the B2B market. For example, your website will not have the capability to integrate with suppliers – essential if you want to increase
efficiency and remain competitive. You won’t be able to show different customers different prices and the website is unlikely to boast important features such as order pads and product customisation. Purchase orders, a wide
range of payment options and other essentials could also be missing.
Benefits of using a specialist B2B ecommerce website developer
Comgem is the UK’s market-leading B2B ecommerce website developer. It has its own B2B ecommerce platform and also develops custom, made to measure solutions including website design that is tailored to succinctly reflect your B2B
brand. Commercial director Dani Attard explains:
“B2B ecommerce is much more complex than B2C. A specialist B2B ecommerce website developer will work with you to deliver a website that optimises your sales opportunities in
the B2B market. The developer will ensure that essential features, unique to the that market, are included and that they are tailored to your niche.”
Dani continues:
“They will include rule based features to help you maximise profits while keeping costs down and reporting tools that will identify trends in customer spending. Importantly, they will develop a website that will
ensure you can tap into emerging revenue streams. What’s more, they will make sure your products are visible online, that your website is mobile friendly and that it can deliver personalised marketing to segmented groups of
customers.”
Finding the right B2B ecommerce solution
Top complaints about website developers include:
- Failing to give a B2B website the right capabilities
- Not meeting development deadlines
- Website hosting problems
- Failing to effectively communicate
- Including website design that does not accurately reflect a brand
It is worth bearing in mind that some website developers have had no formal training and may have set themselves up in business after designing a website for themselves or someone they know. Investing in the wrong B2B ecommerce
website can damage your brand and significantly impact your sales. Before deciding who to trust your online presence with, insist on a demo, meet the team and be sure to look at customer testimonials.
Book a demonstration of Gemsuite, Comgem’s multi award-winning B2B ecommerce platform today and discover the technology that is powering growth in the B2B market.
Find out more here.