Is your B2B digital Commerce costing you sales without you realizing it?
Hidden issues like slow ERP integration, poor navigation, or an inefficient checkout process can drive away potential buyers before they even complete an order. Studies show that B2B companies investing in digital transformation see a 20-30% revenue increase (McKinsey). Are you maximizing your eCommerce potential?
In the competitive world of B2B eCommerce, your website is more than just a digital storefront—it’s the backbone of your business operations. From managing complex product catalogs to integrating with ERP systems like Epicor, Infor, or NetSuite, B2B eCommerce websites face unique challenges that can hinder growth and lead to low sales. Unlike B2C, B2B eCommerce involves longer sales cycles, bulk orders, and intricate workflows, making it critical to ensure your website is optimized for both performance and functionality.
However, many B2B businesses struggle with hidden issues like ERP integration challenges, poor user experience, and inefficient workflows, often without realizing the root cause. A comprehensive B2B eCommerce website audit is the solution to uncovering these problems. This blog will walk you through a detailed B2B eCommerce website audit checklist, providing actionable insights to help you identify and resolve bottlenecks, streamline operations, and boost sales. We’ll also highlight how DotcomWeavers can help with ERP integrations and Managed Support services to ensure your eCommerce platform is running at its best.
In this blog, we’ll explore-
- Define the Purpose of a B2B eCommerce Website Audit
- Identify Key Areas to Assess During the Audit
- ERP Integration and Workflow Efficiency
- User Experience and Navigation
- Content and Product Information Management
- Checkout Process and Payment Gateways
- Mobile Optimization and Responsiveness
- Security and Compliance
- Managed Support and Project Rescues
- Conclusion—Driving Growth Through Effective Audits
Let’s dive deeper into every aspect to give you a complete picture.
Define the Purpose of a B2B eCommerce Website Audit
Identify Key Areas to Assess During the Audit
A comprehensive B2B eCommerce website audit covers multiple aspects of your website and its integration with backend systems. Here are the key areas to focus on-
- ERP Integration and Workflow Efficiency
- User Experience and Navigation
- Technical SEO and Site Performance
- Content and Product Information Management
- Checkout Process and Payment Gateways
- Mobile Optimization and Responsiveness
- Security and Compliance
Each of these areas plays a critical role in determining your website’s overall health and effectiveness. Let’s dive deeper into each one.
ERP Integration and Workflow Efficiency
Challenges in ERP Integration
B2B eCommerce websites often rely on ERP systems like Epicor, Infor, or NetSuite to manage inventory, orders, and customer data. However, poor integration can lead to:
- Data Synchronization Issues: Inaccurate inventory levels or delayed order updates can frustrate customers and lead to lost sales.
- Inefficient Workflows: Manual data entry or disjointed processes can slow down operations and increase costs.
- Low Sales: If your website doesn’t reflect real-time pricing, stock availability, or customer-specific discounts, buyers may abandon their carts.
Best Practices for ERP Integration
- Real-Time Data Sync: Ensure your website is seamlessly integrated with your ERP system to provide real-time updates on inventory, pricing, and order status.
- Automated Workflows: Automate repetitive tasks like order processing and invoicing to improve efficiency.
- Custom Pricing and Catalogs: Implement personalized pricing and product catalogs based on customer accounts or contract terms.
Epicor ERP Integration
Epicor is a popular ERP solution for B2B businesses, but integrating it with your eCommerce platform can be challenging. Here’s how DotcomWeavers can help:
- Epicor Eclipse ERP Integration: Streamline your distribution processes with seamless integration.
- Epicor Prophet 21 ERP Integration: Optimize your supply chain and inventory management.
- Epicor Eagle ERP Integration: Enhance your manufacturing and distribution workflows.
- Epicor BisTrack ERP Integration: Simplify your building supply operations.
Infor and NetSuite Integration
- Infor Integration: Sync your eCommerce platform with Infor ERP to improve data accuracy and workflow efficiency.
- NetSuite Integration: Leverage NetSuite’s cloud-based ERP capabilities to streamline operations and enhance scalability.
User Experience and Navigation
Challenges in B2B User Experience
B2B buyers expect a seamless and intuitive experience, but many websites fall short due to:
- Complex Navigation: Difficulty in finding products or categories can frustrate users.
- Lack of Personalization: Generic product catalogs and pricing don’t meet the needs of B2B buyers.
- Poor Search Functionality: Ineffective search tools make it hard for users to find what they need.
Best Practices for Improving UX
- Simplify Navigation: Use intuitive categories and subcategories to help users find products quickly.
- Advanced Search Features: Implement filters, autocomplete, and faceted search to enhance the search experience.
- Personalized Dashboards: Provide account-specific dashboards with order history, saved carts, and personalized recommendations.
Content and Product Information Management
Challenges in Content Management
B2B eCommerce websites often have complex product catalogs with thousands of SKUs. Managing this content can be challenging, leading to:
- Inaccurate Product Information: Outdated or incomplete product descriptions can confuse buyers.
- Poor Content Organization: Disorganized catalogs make it hard for users to find what they need.
Best Practices for Content Management
- Use a PIM System: Implement a Product Information Management (PIM) system to centralize and manage product data.
- Optimize Product Descriptions: Provide detailed and accurate product information, including specifications, pricing, and availability.
- Leverage Rich Media: Use images, videos, and interactive content to enhance product pages.
Checkout Process and Payment Gateways
Challenges in Checkout Processes
B2B buyers often face friction during checkout due to:
- Complicated Checkout Processes: Lengthy forms, multiple steps, or manual approvals can slow down transactions and lead to cart abandonment.
- Limited Payment Options: Lack of flexible payment terms, credit limits, or real-time invoicing can deter buyers from completing purchases.
How ERP Integration Enhances the Checkout Process
Seamless ERP integration can significantly improve the B2B checkout experience by:
- Automating Order Processing: ERP integration syncs real-time inventory, pricing, and customer-specific terms, reducing manual errors and delays.
- Enabling Flexible Payment Options: Syncing ERP with eCommerce allows businesses to offer credit terms (e.g., Net-30, Net-60), automated invoicing, and multiple payment gateways.
- Enhancing Approval Workflows: ERP systems streamline purchase approvals, ensuring faster order fulfillment and fewer abandoned carts.
By integrating ERP solutions like NetSuite, Prophet 21, or Eclipse ERP, businesses can create a frictionless, efficient, and scalable B2B checkout experience that meets customer expectations.
Mobile Optimization and Responsiveness
Challenges in Mobile Optimization
With more B2B buyers using mobile devices, a non-responsive site can lead to:
- Poor User Experience: Difficult navigation and slow loading times can frustrate users.
- Lost Sales: Buyers may abandon their carts if the site isn’t mobile-friendly.
Best Practices for Mobile Optimization
- Responsive Design: Ensure your site is fully responsive and works seamlessly across devices.
Mobile-Friendly Features: Implement features like click-to-call and mobile-optimized forms.
Security and Compliance
Challenges in Security
B2B eCommerce websites handle sensitive customer data, making security a top priority. Common issues include:
- Data Breaches: Poor security measures can lead to data breaches and loss of customer trust.
- Non-Compliance: Failure to comply with regulations like GDPR or PCI DSS can result in penalties.
Best Practices for Security
- Implement SSL Certificates: Ensure your site uses HTTPS to encrypt data.
- Regular Security Audits: Conduct regular audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities.
Managed Support and Project Rescues
Challenges in Managing eCommerce Platforms
Many B2B businesses struggle to maintain their eCommerce platforms due to:
- Lack of Expertise: In-house teams may not have the skills to handle complex integrations or technical issues.
- Resource Constraints: Limited time and resources can lead to neglected maintenance and updates.
Why Partnering with Experts is a Smart Move
When in-house teams face challenges in maintaining their eCommerce platform, partnering with an experienced agency ensures long-term stability, security, and efficiency.
This is where DotcomWeavers comes in. We offer Managed Support Services to keep your platform optimized, secure, and running smoothly. If your eCommerce project is struggling, our Project Rescue services help identify issues, re-strategize, and deliver results—ensuring your business stays on track.
Conclusion—Driving Growth Through Effective Audits
A thorough B2B eCommerce website eCommerce audit is essential for uncovering hidden issues and optimizing your site for growth. By addressing ERP integration challenges, improving user experience, and ensuring technical SEO, you can create a seamless experience for your buyers and streamline your operations.
However, conducting a comprehensive audit is no small feat. It requires expertise, time, and the right tools—resources that many B2B businesses lack. That’s where DotcomWeavers comes in. Our Managed Support services ensure your website is always optimized, while our ERP integration services streamline your operations, eliminating issues like low sales and inefficiencies.
Here’s how we can help:
- Comprehensive Website Audits: We conduct detailed audits to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.
- ERP Integration: We seamlessly integrate ERP systems like Epicor, Infor, and NetSuite to improve operational efficiency.
- Ongoing Support: Our managed support services ensure your site remains optimized and up-to-date.
- Project Rescues: We can step in to rescue stalled or failing eCommerce projects, ensuring they deliver results.
If you’re ready to take your B2B eCommerce business to the next level, schedule a no-obligation call with our experts today. We’ll help you understand the specific challenges your website is facing and provide tailored solutions to address them.
At DotcomWeavers, we have a proven track record of optimizing B2B eCommerce platforms through seamless ERP integrations and managed support services. Our portfolio includes Riverside Furniture, where we implemented NetSuite integration for streamlined operations, Wayne Tile, where we enhanced efficiency with Prophet 21 ERP integration, and Wallington Plumbing Supply, where we leveraged Epicor Eclipse integration for a more connected and automated system. These, along with many other projects, showcase how our expertise in ERP integrations and managed support services has helped businesses enhance operational efficiency and drive growth.
By regularly auditing your B2B eCommerce website and addressing issues proactively, you can fuel your growth and stay ahead of the competition. Don’t let hidden eCommerce website issues hold you back—take action today!
Explore Prophet 21 integration and transform your business. Book a no-obligation call with our experts today.
About the Author: Amit M
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