B2B eCommerce trends

The world of eCommerce is big business and, as technology continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, it’s only getting bigger!

With each new year comes new trends and opportunities for the eCommerce sector.

And, by examining the eCommerce trends that are set to shape buying habits, inspire action, and influence the way companies communicate with the B2B market, we can help businesses make the most of their eCommerce platforms, create a great shopping experience, and increase sales.

In 2021, the eCommerce market was still contending with the challenges and embracing the opportunities brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. More people were shopping online than ever before, and businesses had no option but to take their sales online.

But what comes next? Here’s our guide to the top trends we’re expecting to see for B2B eCommerce in 2023.

Self-service portals

2022 has already seen many businesses take an increased interest in self-service portals as part of their targeted B2B eCommerce UK strategies. Providing users with access to the information and resources they need to resolve a wide range of different issues, self-service portals allow users to research, compare products, order, track and re-order products quickly and easily.

Two of the most common self-service portals are customer self-service and employee self-service.

Increase of mobile

The number of smartphone users in the UK is set to reach 63.46 million in 2022, and to continue to grow from there.

And, with more people than ever before having access to a smartphone, many are using those devices to carry out a whole host of everyday tasks, including businesses. This has resulted in an increased demand for B2B companies to launch their very own mobile apps and mobile-friendly sites.

B2B buyers expect easy-to-use interfaces, one-click shopping, confirmation notifications, shipping alerts, and more, all set against a consistently-branded backdrop.

Fully integrated B2B eCommerce UK platforms allow businesses to create branded, customisable B2B eCommerce sites, so they can present a consistent customer experience across web-based and mobile devices.

Sustainability

Sustainability is more than just a trend – it’s an increasingly important virtue that’s of growing importance to businesses and consumers alike.

Brands are not only taking sustainability more seriously in response to customer demand but also to reduce their carbon footprint. As a result, they’ll be looking for B2B suppliers that are as sustainable as possible.

Stepping up your sustainability can include:

• Cutting down on paperwork (especially with an EDI solution)
• Consolidating your packaging
• Choosing suppliers who care
• Optimising your inventory
• Using analytics to track progress on reaching sustainability KPI