Now is the time to start to make the switch to digitize your business. Today everything we do is centered around being online. Over 51 percent of business-to-business commerce happens digitally now, with manufacturers conducting 70% of business online and distributors doing close to 40%, according to Modern Distribution Management. The number of B2B buyers starting to use e-commerce to research, select, and buy products has grown astronomically, and so have the opportunities for businesses who take the initiative to increase their online presence.

Put the Wheels in Motion

If a company hasn’t started an online presence yet, now is the time to start. The digitization process doesn’t have to take place all at once, but it is important to get the ball rolling. 87% of business executives have set digitization as a top priority in their companies’ strategies, according to an article published by Gartner. The earlier the process is started or thought about, the better off businesses will be in the long run. Conducting channels through e-commerce allows for testing, identifying challenges, and changing parameters, which leads to improvements that add a competitive edge. The longer it takes for a transformation to get underway or changes to take place, businesses risk being less successful and competitive in the market.

Keep Up With the Times

As the new generation keeps transitioning into managerial and purchasing power roles, e-commerce will become more prominent. Older ways of doing business will become less and less as making purchases online is their preferred way of doing business. According to Modern Distribution Management, B2B customers want to have the same conveniences they have come to know as B2C customers transferred over to their work environment, with 72% of B2B customers loving self-service access to accounts and orders.

Through partnerships with companies like iBeAuthentic, distributors and brands will not only receive e-commerce integration but a full catalog of digital services including marketing, social media, education management systems, and support from inside sales and concierge teams.

iBeAuthentic is also leveraging its network of digital talent to launch Fynr, a digital media production company, to tackle project-based requests involving video, photography, and 3D rendering. This will allow clients to submit one project at a time when they only need a few assets.

Offer Valuable Content

Modern Distribution Management points out that buyers rank product information as the most important type of web content they can see on a business’ website. If the content displayed is only listing the bare minimum product information and pricing, it’s time to step up your game and add more to it. Start by beefing up descriptions, directions, ingredients and so forth, which aids in buying-making decisions. Then work on adding blogs, fresh content, promotions, and other information to the site as buyers are also expecting to see this. Don’t be afraid to try and add new things to the site.

It’s Not a One Time Thing

Buying online is continual, not something done once and never thought of again. So it is vital to keep improving productivity and efficiency as technology keeps advancing to enhance the buying experience. Hiring and retaining talent that supports the digital needs of the business is critical to the future successes of the company.

Don’t let the opportunity to start the digitization process slip through the cracks. Remember that the biggest thing to offer on the site is clear, detailed product information.

Visit Nectar to see how Coleman/Harrison is implementing these strategies to stay ahead of the game and improve the shopping experience for its customers. For more information on iBeAuthentic or Fynr, inquire on their website or contact Dave Anttila at (906) 424-4588.