Answer and Explanation:
A B2B eCommerce website is an online store where businesses can go to buy the products they need to operate. This can range from office supplies and furniture to manufacturing parts and bulk product purchases.
The B2B aspect refers to any “business to business transaction” whilst the eCommerce element means customers can buy and pay for the product on the website.
Screwfix website showing product searchesThe Screwfix website is a true eCommerce platform in every sense
In practical terms, B2B websites can look and operate in a very similar way to their B2C counterparts. Users can browse products, add them to their shopping cart, choose their delivery method and pay for their order.
This is especially true for B2B brands selling wholesale goods to businesses who then sell them on individually to the end customer or companies like Screwfix who sell directly to tradespeople and small businesses.
For other B2B brands selling online, some of the traditional eCommerce features may be less desirable. For example, manufacturers and distributors don’t necessarily want product prices listed on their website, as they sell products at varying prices to different customers, depending on the size of their orders and purchase history.
In some cases, companies can be B2B and B2C and provide different eCommerce experiences for each type of customer.
Regardless of how many similarities there may be between B2B and B2C eCommerce websites, there are important differences that must be catered for in the design, development and optimisation processes.