Let's face it: Growing online sales can feel like climbing a mountain. You know you need more B2B eCommerce success, but then data management becomes an uphill battle.
Gathering, cleansing, and managing all that product information can feel like an endless trek. It starts with product names, SKUs, and descriptions that highlight key differentiators, so they actually sell. And then there’s the task of keeping track of your inventory in real-time and extending that visibility to buyers. The challenges associated with data management can delay implementation and impede your ability to arrive at the summit, realizing your online sales potential.
B2B eCommerce is projected to more than double between 2024 and 2030, presenting immense growth opportunities but also data management challenges.
But here's the good news: You're probably sitting on a goldmine of information that can shortcut the data work – your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. The secret is to not take on everything at once, which we explain in detail in our new guide, Webstore Maturity: Using Your ERP Data to Shortcut eCommerce Success.
ERP as the Solution to B2B eCommerce Success
Think about it – your ERP is the brain of your operation. It's highly likely that it's already housing critical details that can be used to populate your eCommerce platform or take it to the next level. I’m talking about:
- SKU numbers (the key to it all!)
- Product names, descriptions, and details like dimensions -- essential for informed shopping
- Accurate pricing information for competitive positioning
- Real-time data that automatically updates inventory levels -- putting an end to in-stock surprises
- Integration eliminating manual data entry (and the errors that come with it), so you can free up your team to focus on bigger, strategic sales initiatives
With your ERP as the informant for your webstore, eCommerce leaders can stop viewing data as a roadblock. In fact, ERP systems can even power your path to the top, fueling sales initiatives through more efficient webstore launches and enhancements. This approach allows you to speed your time-to-market and start generating online revenue with fewer delays.
But an ERP integration doesn’t mean climbing a mountain is a walk in the park. . .
Climb Mountains Faster: Understand Your Webstore Maturity
While ERP data can speed success, reaching the online sales summit is still a trek. Breaking down the journey into smaller parts can help. Billtrust does this by introducing the three phases of webstore maturity. In understanding the concepts behind each phase and how each build on each other, many eCommerce leaders find it easier to launch and progress their webstore over time. Here's how we break it down:
- Novice: Much like taking those first steps away from base camp, companies at this stage are just starting their journey. They often rely on manual processes (think phone orders and spreadsheets) and basic online catalogs – maybe even just a PDF. Offerings are focused on existing customers at this stage and data management is automated via the ERP.
As an accurate source for intelligent data capture, ERPs are the best way to build a functional online sales engine for existing customers.
- Intermediate: Businesses in the Intermediate stage are halfway up the mountain. They have implemented some automation and are starting to use ERP data to populate more details for their webstore, serving both existing customers and new prospects. Data is getting better managed and cleaned, often with the help of a Product Information Management (PIM) tool.
Progress often plateaus at the Intermediate stage. Download the eBookfor tips to keep elevating your webstore.
- Expert: Approaching the summit is where things get really exciting. At the Expert stage, companies are leveraging advanced automation and data management, including 3rd party data providers, to optimize their online sales and customer experience. Here, data is used strategically and efficiently to drive growth.
Instead of feeling like you have to tackle everything at once, the smartest move is often to take a phased approach that makes the process much more manageable. In the guide, we'll dive into why focusing on your current customers first can give you a major head start. Plus, we’ll show you the concrete sales angles companies employ at the expert level to maximize their sales.
3 Reasons to Go the Distance with Billtrust
ERP systems and the data they possess play a huge role in helping you advance the maturity of your webstore. Think of ERP integration as building a solid foundation that can grow right along with your business. You might be surprised at how much your existing ERP data can do for you. For instance, it can enable internal sales teams too. How many of your customers send you orders with just SKUs? Searching an online store is often easier than searching the ERP system.
Ready to drive your eCommerce strategy to its peak? Billtrust’s eCommerce solution integrates directly with your ERP system to populate product pages and update inventories in real time. Here are three reasons you’ll love partnering with us:
- Custom pricing: Want to give your special customers that "white glove" treatment? Provide personalized shopping experiences with pricing tailored to individual customers, all based on the data already living in your ERP.
- AI-powered recommendations: AIAutomation leverages advanced algorithms to analyze customer behavior and preferences, suggesting the next best product to purchase. This feature provides personalized, timely, and relevant product suggestions, boosting customer satisfaction and sales.
- Effortless experiences: Offer a seamless and efficient shopping experience by providing simple search, purchase, and self-service options, including multiple reorder methods, and a streamlined one-page checkout process. Additionally, advanced SEO optimization tools help promote high-margin products and improve search engine rankings, driving more online traffic and sales.
Don't let data challenges hold you back from eCommerce success. Start with our roadmap for webstore maturity, and when you’re ready to take action contact us. Download the eBook now to learn:
- Where your webstore sits within the maturity model
- How to leverage ERP data to progress through the three stages
- Proven tactics to optimize webstores, boost sales and customer experiences
Webstore Maturity: Using Your ERP Data to Shortcut eCommerce Success
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FAQ
ERP data benefits eCommerce by providing real-time product information, pricing, and inventory levels, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
Webstore maturity progresses through three stages: Novice, Intermediate, and Expert, each with increasing levels of automation and data management.
Real-time data is crucial for eCommerce as it ensures accurate product information, pricing, and inventory levels, reducing errors and improving customer satisfaction.