Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding the Need for Re-Platforming
- The Rise of Composable Commerce
- Evaluating Modern Ecommerce Platforms
- The Platform Evaluation Process
- Conclusion
Introduction
Did you know that global B2B ecommerce sales are projected to skyrocket to $20.9 trillion by 2027 from $14.9 trillion in 2020? This staggering growth highlights the critical need for manufacturers and distributors to remain proactive and ahead of the curve. The digital transformation journey often requires confronting the challenge of re-platforming from an outdated ecommerce system. As technological advancements emerge, legacy systems reveal their limitations, compelling businesses to seek more flexible, efficient, and scalable solutions.
This blog post aims to guide you through the intricate process of evaluating and deciding on a new B2B ecommerce platform. We'll delve into the necessity of re-platforming, explore modern architectural trends like composable commerce, and provide you with a structured platform evaluation process. By the end of this post, you'll be equipped with the insights needed to make an informed decision that aligns with your business objectives.
Understanding the Need for Re-Platforming
Re-platforming is not just a technical necessity; it's a strategic move that can significantly improve your business's performance and customer satisfaction. Legacy ecommerce systems, though heavily customized, often struggle to keep up with evolving market needs. They can be costly to maintain and lack the agility required to adapt to new demands. Conversely, modern ecommerce architectures come with native functionality that offers greater flexibility and scalability. Transitioning to a modern platform can enhance performance, provide advanced features, and positively impact your bottom line.
Forrester reports that B2B companies updating their ecommerce platforms with current technology see a 30% increase in customer satisfaction and a 20% boost in conversion rates. Staying ahead with the latest tech enhances user experience and drives higher engagement and sales performance.
The Rise of Composable Commerce
Composable commerce, built on MACH-based (Microservices, API-first, Cloud-native, and Headless) architecture, represents a revolutionary approach to ecommerce. This strategy allows businesses to pick and choose best-of-breed components tailored to their unique needs, providing unmatched flexibility and scalability. Unlike monolithic platforms, which are restrictive and vendor-dependent, composable commerce enables organizations to innovate swiftly and adapt to changing market conditions.
Gartner predicts that organizations adopting composable commerce will outpace their competition by 80% in the speed of new feature implementation. This architectural shift allows for rapid innovation and growth, making it a compelling option for forward-thinking businesses.
Evaluating Modern Ecommerce Platforms
Choosing the right ecommerce platform is a pivotal decision that involves aligning your business objectives with technological capabilities. Here, we review five leading platforms that are worth considering:
Adobe Commerce (Magento)
Adobe Commerce, previously known as Magento, offers robust functionality and extensive customization capabilities. It supports a wide range of integrations and has a strong developer community. This platform is ideal for businesses requiring scalability and flexibility, providing comprehensive content management and personalization features.
commercetools
A pioneer in the MACH architecture movement, commercetools offers a highly modular and flexible platform with an API-first approach. This allows seamless integration with various third-party services, making it an excellent choice for businesses planning to implement a headless commerce solution.
BigCommerce
Designed for ease of use while offering powerful features, BigCommerce is a cloud-based platform supporting B2B functionalities like bulk pricing, customer segmentation, and custom pricing lists. Known for its scalability, it can handle large catalogs and high transaction volumes efficiently.
Shopify Plus
Shopify Plus caters to high-growth businesses with a scalable platform that supports advanced customization. It offers robust B2B capabilities, including wholesale channel support, automated workflows, and multiple integration options. Its user-friendly interface and powerful analytics tools make it a popular choice.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Salesforce Commerce Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of ecommerce tools integrated with the Salesforce ecosystem. Known for delivering personalized customer experiences through AI-driven insights and marketing automation, it’s suitable for businesses looking to leverage customer data across sales, service, and marketing functions.
The Platform Evaluation Process
Selecting the right ecommerce platform for your B2B business involves a systematic and thorough evaluation process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate this critical decision:
Define Business Objectives
Start by clearly outlining your business goals and what you aim to achieve with the new platform. Key aspects to consider include scalability, customization, integration capabilities, and overall cost.
Conduct a Needs Assessment
Assess the limitations of your current platform and identify the specific requirements for your new system. This includes evaluating your existing tech stack, operational workflows, and customer experience needs.
Research and Shortlist Platforms
Based on your business objectives and needs assessment, research potential platforms and create a shortlist of those that meet your criteria. Consider factors such as functionality, vendor reputation, and community support.
Request Demos and Trials
Engage with vendors to request demos and trial access to their platforms. Hands-on experience is crucial for understanding the user interface, ease of use, and overall capabilities of each solution.
Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership
Consider both the initial implementation costs and ongoing operational expenses. Factor in costs related to licensing, customization, integration, maintenance, and support.
Analyze Integration Capabilities
Ensure the new platform can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, including ERP, CRM, PIM, and other essential business applications. Strong API capabilities are key in this evaluation.
Check References and Case Studies
Request references and review case studies to understand how other businesses have successfully implemented the platform. This can provide valuable insights into potential challenges and best practices.
Make an Informed Decision
Based on your evaluations, make an informed decision that aligns with your strategic objectives and provides the flexibility to adapt to future needs.
Conclusion
Re-platforming your B2B ecommerce system is a critical investment that can drive substantial business growth and operational efficiencies. Modern platforms like Adobe Commerce, commercetools, BigCommerce, Shopify Plus, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud offer various features and capabilities tailored to meet diverse business needs. By conducting a structured evaluation, you can ensure a successful transition to a more flexible and scalable ecommerce solution.
At McFadyen Digital, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the complexities of re-platforming. Contact us today at info@mcfadyen.com for expert guidance and support with your platform evaluation or re-platforming project.
Ready to take the next step in your ecommerce journey? Reach out to McFadyen Digital for personalized assistance in evaluating and implementing the right ecommerce platform for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is re-platforming in B2B ecommerce? A: Re-platforming involves migrating from an old or outdated ecommerce platform to a new, modern solution to improve performance, scalability, and overall user experience.
Q: What are the benefits of composable commerce? A: Composable commerce offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing businesses to pick best-of-breed components tailored to their needs. It enables rapid innovation and better adapts to changing market conditions.
Q: How should we start the platform evaluation process? A: Begin by defining your business objectives and conducting a needs assessment to understand the limitations of your current platform. Then, research and shortlist platforms that meet your criteria, request demos, evaluate costs, and analyze integration capabilities.
Q: How important is API capability in a new ecommerce platform? A: Strong API capabilities are crucial for ensuring the new platform can seamlessly integrate with your existing systems, facilitating efficient and streamlined operations.
Q: Why should we consider McFadyen Digital for our re-platforming project? A: McFadyen Digital has extensive experience in helping businesses navigate the complexities of re-platforming, offering expert guidance and support to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
By following these steps and leveraging expert insights, you can make an informed decision that will propel your B2B ecommerce strategy to new heights.
