The emergence of B2B eCommerce platforms is one of the biggest trends in eCommerce. There are many B2B eCommerce platforms, ranging from open-source solutions to custom-built applications. In this blog post, we’ll look at some of the most popular B2B eCommerce platforms available and explain how you can choose the right one for your business.
How to select the right B2B eCommerce platform
Before selecting the right B2B eCommerce platform, it’s essential to know what platforms are available and what features they offer. There are three main types of B2B eCommerce platforms:
- Open source. These are usually free but limited in features and support. They’re often used as a starting point for businesses that want to build their custom solution on top of an open-source foundation.
- Enterprise-class SaaS (software-as-a-service) solutions that have more advanced features and support options at higher prices than open-source solutions. Some examples include Shopify Plus, BigCommerce Enterprise Edition, Magento Enterprise Cloud Edition, and WooCommerce Premium Support Service from Automattic (the company behind WordPress).
- Custom development projects where a third party builds an entire custom suite based on your requirements for a one-time fee or ongoing monthly fees for ongoing support and maintenance services.
What is an open-source B2B eCommerce platform?
Open source software is any computer program whose source code is published as open source and made available for use or modification. Open-source software is built by large communities of developers and users who work together to create and improve the software over time.
The most famous example of a licensed open-source product is Linux, a free operating system that’s been around since the mid-1990s. While some companies have proprietary versions of Linux, most businesses rely on its open-source version because it’s more stable and secure than other operating systems.
Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce is an open-source eCommerce platform built on the Adobe Experience Platform. It’s a full-stack solution that offers multi-channel commerce capabilities and supports marketplaces, which makes it easier to sell across multiple channels.
Adobe Commerce has been built with flexibility, so you can control how your site looks and feels. It’s also scalable enough to grow with your business and secure—a must when handling payment information and ensuring customers are confident about their transactions with you.
BigCommerce
BigCommerce offers the most eCommerce solutions for B2B businesses. The platform has many extensions, integrations, and payment options available to companies who want to get started selling online.
BigCommerce is also one of the few platforms offering an integrated call center solution that provides you with a feature-rich customer service experience without integrating with an external provider. They also have one of the most comprehensive shipping management solutions today.
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus is a subscription-based eCommerce platform that allows you to create an online store, manage your inventory and fulfill orders. The platform is available in two versions: Basic and Advanced.
The Advanced version includes a range of additional features and functionality, including support for custom themes and plugins, advanced marketing tools like SEO optimization, up to 2 million monthly visits per month with Shopify Plus Hosting (with the free tier being limited to 20k), 24/7 live chat support & more.
The Basic version offers similar functionality but lower costs than the Advanced version. There are also various add-ons available for purchase separately, such as additional storage space or access to advanced reports through third-party services such as Salesforce Analytics Cloud Business Intelligence Suite Plus for example which offers real-time analytics reports on all aspects of your business, including sales performance across channels such as web traffic sources, email marketing metrics like open rates, social media engagement rate (ROI) and much more.
Spryker
Spryker is an open-source B2B eCommerce platform. You can host it on your server or use Spryker as a multi-channel eCommerce platform by using their cloud-based hosting services.
Spryker has been around since 2003 and has been used by many large companies like Nike, Adidas, and Henkel. They offer a free trial for 30 days with no credit card required.
If you sign up for Spryker’s paid version ($25 per month), there is no commitment, so it’s easy to cancel at any time if you decide not to continue using their services anymore.
Demandware
Demandware is a cloud-based eCommerce platform that offers an omni-channel solution. It helps businesses sell their products and services online, in retail stores, and on mobile devices.
Demandware has over 2 million customers worldwide and is used by brands such as Nike, Adidas, and JCPenney. The company has offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific regions.
OroCommerce
OroCommerce is a multi-channel eCommerce platform that offers a wide range of features. This open-source solution comes with a powerful API and a modular architecture, allowing enterprises to customize the platform according to their needs.
With OroCommerce, you can design your store using drag-and-drop tools or choose from optimized themes for mobile devices and tablets. The platform also supports multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and German, in addition to English.
OroCommerce’s built-in payments API lets you integrate payment processing services like PayPal into your site without requiring additional coding. Support for PayPal’s One Touch Checkout feature allows customers who have saved their payment details on PayPal’s servers to check out faster than ever before.
SAP Hybris Commerce
SAP Hybris Commerce is a cloud-based platform that offers complete, end-to-end B2B eCommerce capabilities. It’s built on the SAP Cloud Platform, making it flexible and scalable.
SAP Hybris Commerce is a close partner of SAP ERP. The two systems can be integrated to provide a seamless customer experience through all sales cycle stages—from lead generation to opportunity management and post-sale support.
These are the top B2B eCommerce platforms
The top 3 B2B eCommerce platforms:
- Shopify
- Magento
- OroCommerce
In summary
With so many options available, knowing which platform is right for your business can be challenging. The best thing you can do is research all of the top B2B eCommerce platforms and identify which fits your needs the best.
Gerald Ainomugisha is a freelance Content Solutions Provider (CSP) offering both content and copy writing services for businesses of all kinds, especially in the niches of management, marketing and technology.
