B2B (business-to-business) websites include all internet-based technical solutions which facilitate services in the establishment of new trading relationships between companies and supporting the existing relationships. It can be termed as an e-market for e-business transactions. A B2B portal primarily serves as a platform for wholesalers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers to carry out their business activities online. It allows electronic transfer of orders, invoicing and payments. B2B stands for business to business, so in B2B site the communication and transaction is between one business ventures to another business venture, here the targeted customers are not approached directly, it does not sell directly to the end user.

B2B site has become one of the most sorts out and techno-savvy mode for business transactions as well as a platform for sales. It provides the user the opportunity to reach out to companies and businesses globally. Marketing done through the B2B portals is exclusively online thus there are no print, distribution or postage costs plus it is measurable through sophisticated tracking software. B2B online marketing is an essential part from buyers perspective as well as sellers perspective. For buyers it facilitates in searching new suppliers, post buying requests, and search for used or new investment goods. For a seller point of view, it makes easy to find out buyers for their products, they could sell online new as well as used products. They could even access the information about their competitors.

B2B websites are an excellent source of various types of business related information. Such as:-

The history about sales, present scenario as well as future prediction about the sales by business pundits.
Knowledge about their competitors market share, the products offered by them and it also helps the companies to understand their competitors marketing strategies.
It also provides information about the products pricing and sales in the e-market.
It provides business classifieds, i.e. indirectly business directory of sellers and buyers.
Information for the supply chain process i.e. quality, delivery time, mode of payment, etc.
Provides information about latest happenings of the industry the website is dealing to.

B2B website is a low cost electronic medium to communicate about your products or services to the target markets. Nearly 90% of technical buyers use the internet to fulfill their business requirements. It is very easy to operate through B2B, all that is needed a web browser and internet connection.

Before taking decision to invest in B2B portals certain points should be cleared in the buyer or sellers mind, like why they want to use this platform, decision about what are products that are to be displayed for sale on the website and to see to it that B2B marketing does not conflict with other marketing channels been used before.

BENEFITS OF B2B PORTALS

B2B portals have made possible for buyers and sellers to carry out sales and business activities online with the advantage of having choice of many companies that are listed through these websites for business purpose. There are many benefits coupled with B2Bs.Here follow the gist of the advantages that are procured by the companies using B2B websites for their business :-

1)It is a low cost electronic medium to promote the business.

2)It minimizes the overall steps of selling procedures.
3)It also reduces the overall cost for selling and marketing.
4)There are many competitors in online auction as a result the buyer of industrial goods could get the products at a cheap deal.
5)B2B saves time for business transactions and commercial dealings between the buyer and the seller, thus it is a cost saving medium in terms of time, money and resources.
6)One of the biggest advantages of B2B websites is just in time delivery. Such promptness of delivery is satisfying and favorable for both buyers and sellers.
7) It facilitates the establishment of new trading relationships between companies and supports existing business relationships.
8)By the help of business directory and search engines provided in B2B portals buyers can find out potential sellers and vice-versa.
9)With the help of classifieds it becomes easy to sell or purchase different products.
10) Tendering services which are a part of B2B websites assists in finding orders and placing requests.

Technology has taken over paper communication which has accelerated the business processes and increased accuracy. Present time demands more speed and efficiency for every business activity. In B2B portals the business dealings occur with more speed and efficiency thus providing satisfaction to its customers. These websites are well-equipped with the latest technological resources thus making it possible for the business to grow faster.

The delivery of the products can be traced very easily and effectively by the means of advanced software programmes which is pleasing for both the Client and the Vendor. Prompt delivery ensures instant profits, thus making the business transaction fruitful. Through B2B websites the geographical and time limitations has blurred, hence it has become easy to sell or purchase products 24/7 days a week, 365 days a year in any country without any mediator.

Business to business portals provides its members the opportunity to display their products, deliver up-to-date information, specifications and applications as well as sell and purchase products at one common platform that is the B2B portal. Similar products can be re-ordered from any previous date with just a click of the mouse.

Check point for the B2B portals

B2B websites are the latest innovation in the field of business enhancing medium and platform for various commercial activities which can be done on global basis on your computer/laptop. In huge and vast electronic world of websites there are many B2B portals dealing with various fields. For instance-automobiles, computers, agriculture, consumer goods, textile and apparel products, etc. Therefore amidst so many options available on the internet it is become important to check out the authenticity and reliability of the website before enrolling.

Here are the indicators listed, which proves the genuineness of the B2B website :-

The frequency of updating of recent data on the website is a checkpoint for a B2B portal. Any website that is prompt in its work would always try to provide the latest information on its web page. There would be no stagnancy of contents on the website.

The importance of its web page is calculated through its page rank in home page of Google search engine. The website link should open by entering key word and its page rank should be between 1 and 10.

The portal should be certified by standard notification for verification. For example- Like VISA, ISO 9001, Payment Gateway, etc.

The clientele and visitor base of the portal should be studied before the enrolment.

A portal which provides statistical data about itself is also worth considering .The data that is provided through any authentic log analyzer holds importance. Some of known names in log analyzing are web trends,123, Alexa ranking etc.

The portal should contain A to Z information about the field it is connected to and that too with accuracy.

There is no better way to judge a portal than through the word of mouth, through the feedback from its present members, the references it gets and also by its certificates.

The class of advertisers on the portal has to seen beforehand. Good and genuine portals will have known brands as their advertisers.

The range of topics covered in the portal pertaining to the field it is connected, indicates its knowledge base about its field and its activeness to provide wholesome data base to its members and visitors. For instance there can be additional topics which could be covered by a B2B website like- news, articles, directory, jobs, events, etc.

Thus B2B website provides equal opportunity for small as well as big businesses and international companies. It makes possible for an enterprise or business to form electronic relationship with their distributors, resellers, suppliers and other associates.

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