DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Ecommerce Blueprint for B2B Manufacturers

The most dramatic transformation stories often begin with the daunting question: "How do I even start?" For many B2B manufacturers, this question resonates when considering the leap into ecommerce. The journey from traditional face-to-face sales to taking orders online can feel like standing at the base of Everest—knowing you need to climb but unsure where the first step lies.

How to Start Your Ecommerce Climb 

For many, the migration to ecommerce is not just about setting up a digital shopfront; it’s about reimagining how to do business in a digital-first economy. The challenges are multifaceted, but the rewards are substantial. Here's how to embark on this transformative journey:

Understanding the Digital Landscape

“Looking forward, B2B companies see digital interactions as two to three times more important to their customers than traditional sales interactions.” - McKinsey & Company, The B2B digital inflection point: How sales have changed during COVID-19

This shift underscores the need for a solid digital strategy. 

• The Challenge: You are an expert in your field but may not have the same depth of knowledge about ecommerce. The digital landscape is vast and can be overwhelming without a clear roadmap.
• The Solution: Start with a comprehensive Discovery & Strategy phase. A deep dive into your current operations, customer expectations, and potential digital footprint can illuminate the path forward. 

Integrating Legacy Systems

“Gartner expects that by 2025, 60% of B2B sales organizations will transition from experience- and intuition-based selling to data-driven selling, merging their sales process with business systems and applications.” - The Future of Sales: Digital-First Sales Transformation Strategies 

• The Challenge: Many manufacturers operate on legacy systems that are not naturally compatible with the sleek, user-friendly interfaces expected in today's ecommerce platforms. This gap can create significant operational hurdles.
• The Solution: Integrations — with new or legacy systems. It’s what we do. As part of our Discovery and Strategy phase, an assessment of your legacy systems can identify integration points. Through custom-built integrations for modern or legacy systems or by leaning on our strategically curated partner network, Acro Commerce can remove direct platform limitations and help your business thrive. 

Learn more here on how we integrated Acumatica Cloud ERP with Drupal Commerce for the largest steam room and sauna equipment, accessories, and parts distributor in the United States.

Customer-Centric Approach

“87% of B2B buyers turn to online channels as their primary method for identifying new suppliers, while 67% of B2B buyers start their purchase journey online.” - Sana Commerce, New Rules for B2B Buying 

This highlights the importance of a robust online presence that caters to B2B buyer's needs.

• The Challenge: B2B buyers are increasingly seeking personalized and efficient online purchasing experiences similar to B2C. However, creating a customer-centric online experience can be challenging for manufacturers unfamiliar with ecommerce nuances.
• The Solution: Leveraging data and analytics to understand your customers' buying behaviour and preferences can guide the development of a tailored ecommerce experience. For example, implementing AI-driven recommendations can improve customer engagement and increase order sizes. 

Read our case study with BlueJeans by Verizon, where we introduced subscription B2B ecommerce to their service offerings and streamlined their sales and fulfillment operations through the integration of Zuora and Salesforce. This enhancement not only made their processes more efficient but also refined the purchasing experience for their customers, mirroring the personalized and efficient online buying experiences seen in B2C.

The Art and Science of Discovery & Strategy

At Acro Commerce, we understand that no two brands are alike. From understanding the intricacies of your legacy systems to designing an online experience that resonates with your customers, we're here to guide you through every step of the process. We aim to empower you with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about your online future.

"The work Acro Commerce has done for us has provided protection for our revenue streams and enabled us to grow in several dimensions: revenue, new customer acquisition, average order size, and a satisfying customer experience.” - Gregory M. Sottile, Ph.D. Director of Sales & Marketing, USI Laminate

Ready to Transform Your Business?

Embarking on the ecommerce journey can seem daunting, but you don't have to do it alone. Our team at Acro Commerce is ready to help you navigate the complexities of digital transformation. From stakeholder interviews and operational assessments to prototyping and technical architecture, we're here to ensure your journey is successful.

Don't let the question "How do I even start?" hold you back. Contact us today, and let's plan your company's digital glow-up together.