Henry Ford’s conveyor belt revolutionized the car industry. Together, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis convinced the world to adopt denim instead of wool and textiles because of its durability. Major companies like Nike, Audi, and Siemens are currently perfecting their fully automated smart manufacturing solutions.
These forward-thinking CEOs have shaken up the industrial sector and set off a genuine revolution.
However, some manufacturers, particularly in the B2B area, may be ignoring the need for digital transformation in the midst of fast changes in manufacturing, since B2B (business-to-business) customers increasingly want online experiences that resemble those of B2C (business-to-consumer) eCommerce.
This is when manufacturers in eCommerce come into the picture.
Though they were slow to adopt online shopping, many firms now seem eager to at least dip their toes in. Clearly, the COVID-19 situation has functioned as a motivator for industrials to migrate to online sales and marketing platforms and create a bigger and more substantial proportion of “no-touch” transactions with the B2B and B2C client groups.
As the prevalence of remote work among B2B customers and sellers continues, the importance of digital marketing and sales is set to rise. Manufacturers are also outsourcing Magento ecommerce agency in UK for better performance in eCommerce.
How eCommerce is changing the industry for manufacturers
Manufacturers are on the lookout for digital solutions that might help in the transition from a product-centric to a customer-centric emphasis. E-commerce has several advantages, including better order precision, easier access to purchase and account details around the clock, and more effective digital workflows.
E-commerce’s ability to revolutionize the production sector is what sets it apart from other digital alternatives. To manufacturers, e-commerce is more than just another digital tool; it’s a platform for abandoning outdated business models and adopting a new one based on a digitally linked ecosystem of consumers, internal teams, data, and systems, all of which can be managed from a central hub.
Strategies for Dealing with eCommerce Change
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind while planning an e-commerce strategy that includes change management.
Collect support from upper management: Getting a plan off the ground requires the correct “tone from the top.” Leaders of the company must demonstrate to their employees that they completely believe in and support the plan. According to B2BecNews (formerly known as Digital Commerce 360 | B2B”2019 )’s U.S. B2B Ecommerce Market Report, “lack of support from senior executives” is the main barrier for manufacturers establishing an eCommerce business.
As a general rule, followers will do as their superiors tell them to. Leadership buy-in goes beyond just signing off on a budget; it requires visible, unwavering support for the approach from the high command.
1. Identify a skilful professional to serve as project manager
The “champion” of an e-commerce strategy is the person who believes in the plan and is most invested in its success. This individual must be a catalyst for change and able to win over all stakeholders. Expertise in e-commerce, technological acumen, and project management chops are all highly desirable.
2. Change offers opportunity
If executed properly, an e-commerce strategy may have significant results for any business. If it establishes a new sales channel, it may reach potential new clients and provide an additional sales outlet for its present clientele. It may also help save money by streamlining the sales process.
It will take a lot of effort to keep everyone on the same page and enthusiastic about the approach, but it will be worth it in the end. An important part of any successful e-commerce strategy is effectively managing organizational transformation and collaborating with internal stakeholders.
3. Possible New Ideas
Learn your customers’ shopping habits and the qualities they look for in a vendor so you can tailor your offerings to meet their needs. End-user comments on equipment, for instance, may help you decide which upgrades to make first.
You may use procurement data to figure out when certain components need to be replaced and then propose an early delivery to the buyer. Advice on how to enhance after-sale services may be gleaned from sales and support staff. This includes suggestions like adjusting delivery times, enhancing warranties, and providing more comprehensive installation and training.
4. Create the kind of digital interaction that modern consumers need
After determining what may be offered online, businesses will likely need to include the features consumers have grown to anticipate into an e-commerce system. As with consumer-facing e-commerce sites, B2B clients are becoming used to instantaneous, individualized digital service around the clock. This, of course, necessitates taking things to the next level beyond simple web-based catalogues and prices.
Configuration options and visualization, client-specific pricing and goods, stock availability, targeted promotions and marketing, purchase history, product tracking, online product assistance, and after-sales help are all essential components of these customer experiences.
Manufacturers that have yet to embrace e-commerce would be wise to do so only after careful consideration of how to maximize its benefits. On top of that, they need to think about providing more substantial material (e.g., describing product use cases and specifications by industry). If factories want to compete, they’ll need to do more than just digitize their product inventory.
They should think about using other types of media like movies, bots, and augmented or virtual reality to provide a better service to their customers.
5. Marketing via Content Production
Laying down a solid foundation for your brand is crucial before you launch into anything. Your brand should serve as a magnet that draws customers to your items, and without an outstanding product page, your website will fall short. Visitors won’t purchase anything until you have one. The page showcasing your product ought to be easy to understand and use. Images, drawings, and other visual aids should be used to explain the product’s operation.
Tell the tale of your product via videos, but don’t make them too long. Short videos (about 15 seconds) may effectively convey the intended message. Include a description of your product’s functionality and how it differs from the products offered by rivals. Create a page for your goods that speaks to prospective buyers on an emotional level and compels them to continue browsing.
Conclusion
Conversion to an online store may be increased in numerous ways, including via increased traffic, increased brand recognition, and enhanced usability. Manufacturers may secure their businesses’ long-term viability, increase their profits, and improve their customers’ experiences by opting to outsource a Magento development agency.
