Building your business's digital presence is no mean feat. In the B2B (business-to-business) niche in particular, it requires taking a very specific approach, and needs to be addressed in a completely different way to the B2C (business-to-consumer) sector.
As a result, it is generally crucial to partner with a specialist B2B e-commerce agency, and finding the right option for your needs can make all the difference. From establishing your e-commerce goals to navigating those initial consultations and conversations, here’s how you can go about choosing the right B2B e-commerce agency for your organisation.
Figure out your goals
Before you can start your search, you need to get clear on what your e-commerce goals are. Are you trying to optimise an existing site, without changing too much? Are you looking for a consultancy firm that can advise you on more general optimisations? Or are you trying to launch an entirely new e-commerce platform?
Depending on which goals you want to prioritise, you’ll likely need to choose a different agency to best suit those needs. Take the time to get clear on these goals, involving all relevant stakeholders. This process will have a big impact on how things turn out later on, and shouldn’t be underestimated or rushed.
Consider specialisation
If your goals are even remotely specific in nature, then it could be worth looking at B2B e-commerce agencies that are somewhat specialised. Whether you’re looking to launch a new platform using a specific service, or launch a site in a specific niche, an agency like Fluid Commerce, which specialises in many of the areas B2B ecommerce businesses need support with, can often have a far more effective approach than a general ecommerce agency, which may struggle to really optimise specific aspects of your e-commerce strategy.
Look at reviews
You’ll likely find some agencies that appear highly competent at first glance, but then of course all agencies will only put forward a positive perspective of their services on their own websites. To get a better idea of how they actually operate, try looking at their reviews from previous clients.
Try to find similar clients to your organisation, or at the very least, other B2B businesses that have similar goals to yours. You want to look for reviews that cover every aspect of their service, from value for money to communication.
Initiate contact
Lastly, you should reach out and have a chat with any agencies that seem to be a good fit for your needs. Here you can start to actually assess things like how well they communicate, how easily they understand your goals, and the kinds of solutions they suggest. If your research leaves you feeling uncertain about an agency’s capabilities, it’s worth listening to it and looking elsewhere.
Choosing the right B2B e-commerce agency is incredibly important, and it’s not something you can rush. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to navigate the process as effectively as possible. Take your time, and be sure to listen to and consider the opinions of all relevant stakeholders.
