B2B platform - what do you need to know and how do you choose one?

B2B platforms make it easy to search and compare offers from different suppliers, as well as place orders and payments online. This allows entrepreneurs to save time and money, as well as grow their business by establishing new business relationships. Nowadays, B2B platforms are increasingly popular and part of modern commerce - what do you need to know about them to be able to choose the best one?

B2B platform - what is it?

B2B, or 'business to business', is a term referring to the sales process between two companies. The products traded can be products that are not (or only partially) available at retail or specialised services that companies need.

B2B is often used in situations where products or services:

• are too complex to be understood and accessible to the end customer (abandoning 'business to customer', i.e. B2C);
• are to be sold only in bulk quantities;
• are not the final product, but only the material that will allow other companies to create it.

Nowadays, the internet has had a huge impact on B2B transactions, facilitating networking and vetting potential business partners.

What is a B2B (sales) platform?

A B2B platform is a system or application that enables business transactions between two or more companies, anywhere, anytime.

With B2B trading platforms, companies can:

• find potential customers in a quicker and easier way;
• integrate their activities;
• increase profits.

They usually provide a high quality of service and security for all transactions, which is particularly important in large-scale trade. Choosing the right B2B platform is a responsible task, so it is advisable to gain as much knowledge as possible, make an initial survey of the market, analyse the various options and only then choose the best one for your business.

Implementation of a B2B platform - benefits

The implementation of a B2B procurement platform has many benefits for companies. First and foremost, it allows broad access to information and resources, which facilitates negotiations and increases efficiency. It also significantly simplifies and streamlines transactional processes, reducing the costs and time required to conclude contracts.

The B2B platform, as it is accessible online, also enables optimised control over the entire sales process, improving the efficiency of marketing activities and increasing the company's market reach. This allows new contacts to be made with potential business partners, resulting in business growth and increased competitiveness.

Other important benefits include:

• providing 24-hour access to the services/products offered;
• enabling their customers to place an order without having to contact the retailer;
• improving communication between the various cooperating contractors;
• a reduction in the number of staff responsibilities (and thus a reduction in the number of man-hours required to complete a task);
• the possibility of accepting more contracts;
• automation to reduce the number of errors and mistakes that occur.

What features does a good B2B platform have?

A good B2B platform, in order to meet the needs of companies, must have many features. First and foremost, it should:

• provide easy and quick access to information on products, services and business partners;
• facilitate the management of orders, payments and invoices;
• provide an effective order tracking system for consumers.
• offer tools, modules and functions that enable the creation of offers and commercial negotiations within it.

The best B2B platforms too:

• are easy to handle;
• provide high quality customer service;
• offer attractive prices and terms of cooperation;
• are available in several languages (English is a must).

If a business owner finds a platform that includes all the functions and features mentioned, he or she should not delay the decision for too long. Excessive procrastination may mean less financial benefit in the future (bypassing access to new key salespeople and customers).

How much does a B2B platform cost?

The price of a B2B platform depends on a number of factors, such as:

• number of users;
• range of functionalities;
• integrations with other systems and software.

Depending on the customer's needs, prices can range from a few hundred PLN to several thousand PLN per month. There are also platforms offering fees in a pay-as-you-go model, i.e. the user pays only for the use of a particular functionality (e.g. invoicing).

The price of the platform is not only influenced by the purchase itself, but also by the amount needed for its maintenance (including data on the server), servicing and the development of functionality.

B2B platform - which industry will benefit most?

The B2B platform is mainly aimed at sectors related to wholesale trade and product distribution. In practice, the greatest benefits will accrue to companies operating in the industry, among others:

• food;
• electronic;
• pharmaceuticals;
• cosmetic;
• furniture.

Implementing a B2B platform should never be an accident - it must be a well-considered decision, backed up by the lessons learned from detailed analysis.

How should the B2B platform be integrated with the trading systems?

In the first instance, it is necessary to understand the client's requirements in detail and to propose solutions that will enable the

• remote data processing;
• stock control;
• simplifying order and payment processes.

To this end, it is advisable to make use of APIs that will enable the efficient exchange of data between the B2B platform and trading systems. It should also be ensured that the data transferred is secure and that only selected company employees have access to the platform.

B2B platform - ready-made or dedicated?

The main advantage of off-the-shelf B2B platforms is the speed of implementation and lower costs. However, such solutions are often off-the-shelf and lack the uniqueness that can attract customers to a company.

At the other extreme are dedicated B2B platforms, which are developed and designed specifically for a given company. This allows functionality, design, ergonomics and security to be tailored to individual needs and requirements. The disadvantage of such a solution is the cost, which is usually much higher than for a ready-made B2B platform.

Ultimately, the decision depends on budget, time and the specific needs and requirements of the company.

A detailed knowledge of B2B allows you to choose the best platform, and using it increases your company's chance of success.