B2B eCommerce for Pet Supply Distributors

When selling in bulk, orders need to be constructed differently than when buying one or two items at a time. When selling products in categories where there can be diversity of product within a category (say, different sized items for different sized pets), you may need to display an array of products for a group that a client will buy quantities of each size.

The right solution will take into account the need to order from multiple SKUs simultaneously by offering solutions that allow multiple items being placed into a single cart at once. Features include a quick order screen, as well as table layout views that show all the SKUs on one screen, with the ability to select quantities and place all into the cart.

Order management can be challenging when you have orders coming from different sources. Website orders, salesperson orders, and even third-party marketplace orders funneling into their own locations could mean chaotic order management, and the risk of scenarios like overselling.

The best solution will have both an order portal for self-service order placement or your buyers, and an app for salespeople to input their orders. Both sets of orders flow to the same location for better order management and unified inventory.

For third party orders, integrations and API options can move orders into the same system for processing, or out into a different business system, as preferred by your business. In either scenario, you can unify all your order processing in one location, making it easier for your fulfillment team.

When it comes to B2B eCommerce, the best option for your business will shave time off each order, freeing up your team to do more. The worst will get in your way and create more work than it solves.

Major progress in recent years has been made on developing processes that strengthen a B2B and wholesale business’ ability to sell online, leverage technology to support their sales team, and streamline order processing and fulfillment.

That said, there is no monolithic workflow for managing these processes, and businesses tend to have their own flavor on how to accomplish things. So one question to ask is how a solution can adapt to the workflow and processes your business specifically requires. The best, and more fully featured, will have flexibility that can adjust to your specific needs. The worst will require you to follow their rigid processes, which unless they happen to match yours, will not ultimately prove that helpful.