3 Digital Marketing Strategies for B2B eCommerce

When it comes to business-to-consumer (B2C) eCommerce, the approach we adopt is rather straightforward. We use extremely granular targeting options on platforms like Facebook and Google to reach our ideal customers, along with the usual strategies of well-designed web pages and easy checkout options.

B2C eCommerce folks can latch on to everyday trends and events. For example, is it a snowy day in Toronto? It might be a good time to push out ads for winter parkas, high-performance snow tires, rugged boots, or skiing holidays.

Individual consumers aren’t constrained by external factors when they opt to purchase. But business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce is a different beast, which is why the digital marketing strategies you deploy must be well thought-out.

B2B eCommerce Digital Marketing Strategies

3 Digital Marketing Strategies for B2B eCommerce

Let’s look at strategies that will positively impact your bottom line.

Find the right keywords.

As we mentioned earlier, B2B buyers have to factor in the needs of their organization when settling on a product to purchase. That’s why B2B SEO keyword research is so pivotal — it targets the potential decision maker at each stage of the B2B sales cycle and helps move leads down the funnel quicker.

Let’s take an example. Both B2C and B2B buyers might be interested in safety gloves, but the nature of their inquiry will differ. For example, a B2C consumer probably needs safety gloves for regular home repairs or kitchen cleaning. A B2B buyer, however, might want to purchase a bulk order of industrial-strength safety gloves for the workers at their assembly line.

Notice how the search query differs? A B2B marketer targeting keywords like ‘safety gloves’ can potentially attract unqualified traffic that won’t convert into a large B2B purchase. However, a B2C consumer won’t search for ‘industrial gloves bulk order,’ so it’s safe to assume that whoever is searching for this term.

Attract organic leads through content marketing

eCommerce marketers assume that paid spend is the best and fastest way to drive conversions, but that’s a false thought. The fact is that content marketing can improve conversions up to six times more than websites that don’t leverage this tool.

Content marketing-using tactics like videos, blog posts, infographics, product sheets, case studies, and social media posts- help engender brand loyalty and trust. And with 89% of B2B researchers now turning to the internet when they begin their research process, the fact is that you need to have a robust digital presence to stay relevant.

Content marketing isn’t just important for B2C — B2B marketers should also use it to their advantage. For example, Caterpillar, the well-known industrial equipment manufacturer, launched their Built for It campaign specifically to target the new millennial decision maker that’s younger, digitally-savvy, and demands a top-tier brand experience.

Renee Richardson, Global Marketing Services Manager at Caterpillar, explained the decision as an internal understanding that B2B brands need to be more human, approachable, and relevant. There’s no reason why your content marketing campaign shouldn’t try to achieve the same things.

Use customer testimonials and reviews

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Eighty-eight percent of customers trust online reviews as much as a personal recommendation from a friend or family member. That’s an incredibly powerful statistic that refers to the old days when B2B purchases mostly hinged on the word of mouth and referrals.

It makes sense too. Businesses only want to work with suppliers, merchants, and others who know they can deliver a quality product or service within a stipulated time. And if they see that other businesses trust the merchant they’re considering, it’ll be far easier to convert them into long-term paying customers.

As a marketer, you must contact your existing customers and ask them for a recommendation. Then, feature their testimonial on a dedicated landing page — don’t forget to add the person’s name, title, and headshot. It adds a real human element and is a key vote of confidence.

Conclusion

B2B eCommerce will take more time than B2C eCommerce to get right, but that doesn’t mean you should give up easily. On the contrary, the strategies outlined here will supercharge your growth and help you lock in a steady stream of leads and customers.

3 Digital Marketing Strategies for B2B eCommerce

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