We’ve all seen the stats that e-commerce is leaping. Many of us buy toothbrushes online these days! And why not? It’s quick, we don’t have to drive to a store, and we can do it anytime.
While that’s undeniably true of consumer purchases, is it also the case for business buying? That’s the question for any printer considering developing an e-commerce site. Broadly speaking, e-commerce may not be a fit for all markets. But when you consider that most print buyers today have been raised on digital interactions, it’s safe to say printers will benefit from some form of online functionality with a B2B portal.
A B2B portal is a secure, self-service online platform where clients can manage their transactions with you. A well-constructed e-commerce site will accommodate several clients with individual secure logins. Each customer portal will reflect the particulars of that client—products, substrates used, design templates, pricing, order tracking, delivery timelines, purchase history, inventory levels, and so on. Estimates, order intake, proofing, and shipping information will be common functions. Other functions include protocols for user permissions, ensuring only authorized users can access the portal.