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Earlier, most businesses depended heavily on cold calls and paper-based catalogues to make purchasing decisions. But now, procurements, vendor comparisons, and purchasing decisions can be made online. B2B e-commerce platforms are online websites that allow sellers to connect with numerous buyers from all over the world. These B2B Ecommerce platforms verify the seller's business and products and allow them to sell goods or products. The global B2B ecommerce sales are estimated to reach $20.9 trillion by 2027, 5 times the B2C market.
What Is a B2B Ecommerce Platform and Website?
B2B ecommerce platforms are portals where businesses sell products or services to other businesses online. The goal of these platforms and websites is to make bulk purchasing of products easier.
B2B ecommerce Platform process:
- The process begins when a business creates an account on the B2B commerce website. The business seller has to fill in all the basic details like GST, name, address, phone number and many more and then submit. The B2B e-commerce website will verify all the details and then approve them.
- After approval, the buyer can view the products that fit their business requirements. So in short, the website shows custom catalogues based on the business type.
- If the buyer wants to negotiate for larger orders, they submit a quote. The seller will review the quote and then send back a quote.
- The buyer adds the products to the cart after reviewing the quote.
- The business chooses payment options like purchase orders, bank transfer, or online payments and makes the payment.
- The B2B seller then prepares the order for shipping.
How B2B Differs From B2C Ecommerce Platform?
| Aspect | B2B Ecommerce | B2C Ecommerce |
| Target Audiance | Buisnesses ,wholesalers and retailers | Customers |
| Order Volume | Large and bulk orders | Invidiual orders |
| Pricing | Custom or negotiated pricing | Fixed or listed price |
Why is B2B Ecommerce Is Growing Rapidly?
1. Digital Transformation Is Procurement
Many businesses do not want long meetings or manual paperwork to buy bulk orders for their business. These businesses now prefer B2B ecommerce platforms, making it easier to search for products, compare prices, and order them online. Hence, most companies prefer to place orders on B2B ecommerce websites.
2. Demand For Faster, Scalable, And Self-Service Buying Processes
B2B ecommerce platforms allow buyers to log in and place orders within minutes. So, it's fast, scalable and convenient, especially if a buyer wants to repeat purchases from the website.
3. COVID-19 And The Acceleration Of Online B2B Trade
Most of the offices were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Travelling was even restricted in some places. So, most buyers preferred buying products from the B2B ecommerce websites. This has become a trend even after the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. Increasing Cross-Border And Wholesale Ecommerce
Earlier, International trading involved long travel, language barriers and high costs. However, a B2B ecommerce website makes the entire process easier. These websites can connect sellers and buyers from anywhere in the world. It has made global trading easier.
Core Features Of a B2B Ecommerce Website & Platform
The core features of the B2B ecommerce website are as follows.
1. Bulk Ordering And Volume Discounts
Business buyers always purchase products in bulk quantities. A B2B ecommerce platform makes adding many products to the cart easy. It even offers discounts on bulk orders.
2. Custom Pricing And Quotation Tools
A B2B seller can set a custom price for each buyer. Similarly, the buyer can request a quote from the seller, especially for special orders or large quantities.
3. Multiple User Accounts And Roles
A B2B marketplaces allows multiple user accounts under one business profile. Each user is assigned a specific role, like a procurement officer for adding products to the cart, a manager approving orders, and a finance team managing payments.
4. Integration With ERP, CRM, And Logistics
A B2B ecommerce website connects seamlessly with ERP, CRM and logistics software. The ERP system handles inventories and billing. Integrating with the B2B e-commerce website shows real-time stock levels and financial records, which helps make wise decisions.
The website connects with the warehouse and logistics software and provides live tracking updates and estimated delivery times to the business buyer.
5. Payment Flexibility: Net Terms, Credit, Invoicing
The website offers payment options like invoicing, net terms or credit lines.
Top 10 B2B Ecommerce Platforms In India
Here is a list of the top 10 B2B ecommerce platforms in India.
1. Alibaba
Alibaba is a B2B ecommerce platform that was founded in 1999. This platform connects manufacturers, exporters, and sellers with the global buyers of the world. Indian sellers usually use the Alibaba website to showcase their products to millions of verified buyers. The product includes electronics, machinery, and textiles.
The business buyer can look at the seller's badges and find a trusted partner. For example, good suppliers are those with industrial and commercial capabilities. Simultaneously verified sellers are those whose Company and production capabilities are verified by a third party. The buyer can connect with the selected sellers to customize the order, negotiate the price, or learn more about the business.
2. IndiaMart
Indiamart is a website launched in 1997, and it connects Indian buyers with suppliers. The platform verifies the buyer's business and then provides badges to increase credibility. The sellers can create a profile on IndiaMart and list their products with images and specifications. The products can range from electronics, clothing, food, to chemicals. The buyers can search their requirements on the IndiaMart website. A wide range of sellers with products appear; sellers select them according to their specs.
Indiamart offers an app option where buyers can instantly discuss the product with the sellers.
3. Udaan
Udaan was founded in 2016. This B2B e-commerce website offers products in various categories, such as FMCG, vegetables, fruits, pharma, etc. This website connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and traders. It has its own transport logistics network and ensures the timely and efficient delivery of goods and products to Indian buyers. There is a Udaan mobile-friendly app that supports multiple Indian languages. This enables buyers and sellers to connect from various regions of India. Udaan even provides bulk discounts, which help small business owners easily buy bulk products from this site. This website even offers a return policy, meaning business buyers can return products to the seller easily.
4. Amazon Business
Amazon Business has a user-friendly interface and provides a procurement solution for businesses of any size. A business buyer can access many products like clothing, cleaning essentials, pantry, etc. The buyer can buy in bulk quantities and get instant discounts from Amazon. The business buyer can even use Amazon's logistics network to deliver the products safely and on time. The buyer can use the Amazon Business app to purchase its business products from anywhere in the world. Amazon seller Business allows the business buyer to create a single business account that multiple people can use, such as a finance person, manager, etc.
5. Trade India
Trade India is one of the oldest and most trusted B2B ecommerce platforms. This platform is a digital network place for both small and medium enterprises. They can showcase their products to millions of buyers, not only from India but also from the world. The sellers can create a detailed product page with clear images, descriptions, prices and their certifications. Buyers can post their requirements and ultimately receive quotations from various sellers. They eventually choose the one that provides the best quality products at an affordable cost.
The app feature of Trade India allows buyers to connect and order products from sellers easily through smartphones.
6. Global Sources
Global Sources is a Hong Kong-based B2B e-commerce platform that connects trusted suppliers in India and China with buyers from many parts of the world. The buyer can find products mainly in electronics, fashion, electronics products, and home goods. The products have clear images with specifications and prices. So buyers will not face any issues while searching for the product and knowing its value. Each of the suppliers registered under Global Sources are thoroughly checked regarding their business and product. Global sources even conduct physical and virtual trade shows, allowing buyers to connect with sellers online and offline.
7. Global Trade Plaza
Global Trade Plaza is an ecommerce website that connects verified sellers with buyers worldwide. This website supports small and medium-scale businesses expanding into international markets, offering secure payment options and protecting sellers and buyers. Global Trade Plaza even works with third-party logistics companies like SGS and Inspectra Edge. These companies check the quality of the business seller's products. The seller ships products to the buyer only if they are good quality.
8. Moglix
Mogilix is the next top B2B ecommerce platform, offering a wide range of products, such as safety gear, electronics, and cleaning supplies. This helps small business owners or Government officials to buy products online smoothly and efficiently.
Mogilix offers 50,000 products in almost 45 categories. The site is quite popular for its fast delivery. It provides free shipping services even to various cities in India. The site integrates with the business's ERP, and these companies can manage orders or inventories through one system.
9. ExportersIndia
Exporters India is a popular B2B ecommerce marketplace which connects Indian manufacturers and suppliers with buyers anywhere in the world. The buyer can find products in various categories like agriculture, apparel and fashion, automobile, Ayurveda, and many more here. A seller can create their product and list it on the site. Small and medium business owners mainly use this B2B ecommerce platform to grow their business and reach buyers from many parts of the world.
10. EWorldTrade
EWorldTrade is a global B2B marketplace that connects manufacturers, exporters, and suppliers from various parts of the world. The seller needs to create a free basic profile and inform them about the product they will sell on this B2B platform. Eworld Trade notifies the seller through email about any new purchase requirements posted by any buyer. The seller connects with the buyer and provides quotations. The seller discusses in detail directly whether the buyer accepts the quotation. The EWorld Trade provides a chat option where buyers and sellers can connect and discuss the products and shipping rates.
Final Words
Choosing a trusted B2B ecommerce website helps to stand out in this competitive market. It allows a buyer to increase visibility of the products and increase sales. However, a business must consider various factors when choosing a B2B e-commerce portal, such as pricing plans, target market, and lead quality.
