Who wants to be like the bank that doesn’t offer online banking? Or the airline that doesn’t let you book a flight online? A few decades ago, it might have been a different story, but in today’s on-demand world, these shortcomings would be considered deal-breakers for both existing and potential customers.
The same is true for distribution companies that still require their customers to interact and transact with them via phone, fax, and email. Here are some ways different types of distributors can benefit from integrating their ERP system with a cloud-based front office:
If You Sell B2B:
According to Internet Retailer, 52% of B2B buyers expect to conduct half their B2B purchases online within the next three years. But servicing your customers online involves more than just purchasing. Just as banking customers don’t want to have to go to a bank branch during business hours to conduct business, B2B customers want to be able to handle their interactions with you online, at their own convenience, through customer self-service – not only during business hours.
Business customers want to be able to self-serve for the following activities:
- Product search – by category, keyword, SKU, favorites
- Product information including their unique pricing and inventory levels
- Placing orders
- Tracking order status and shipments
- Viewing and paying invoices
- Updating their account and contact information
If You Sell B2C:
In addition to the above-described desire to self-serve, having so many consumers doing their shopping online means you need to provide potential customers a way to find you. Having your product catalog online and search engine optimized will ensure that people looking for your type of product can find you before they find your competitor.
They also need to be able to view and interact with your site on any device. Having a mobile-friendly site will improve the customer experience, as well as cause you rank higher in customer searches. This is due to recent changes to Google’s search algorithm – sites that aren’t mobile-friendly are being penalized.
If you’re thinking about implementing an eCommerce strategy for your distribution business, you should look at it in conjunction with the other systems you already have in place. In partnership with Website Pipeline, Oates & Company can help you implement a cloud-based front office suite that integrates with your existing Sage ERP to allow your customers to do business with you anywhere, anytime, on any device.
Not sure if you’re ready to start serving your customers online?
Download our free checklist: Are You Ready for a Cloud-Based Front Office Suite?
