B2B website development is a complicated multistep process. Let’s analyze the most important steps and things to consider when starting up such a solution for a wholesale business.
B2b website development: steps
The steps in b2b eCommerce website development requiring close attention are:
- Form a developers team or find a company providing b2b website development services. This is probably one of the key steps for the customer. Hiring an inexperienced team leads to unreasonably high costs and a lack of the desired result. You should pay attention to the portfolio of relevant cases when choosing a team.
- Writing and discussing the technical requirement specification. At this step, you need to choose a business model and the principles of site monetization, define its purpose and target audience. In addition, it is important to choose the right content management system and technology for development.
- Identifying the user groups and developing patterns of their behavior. You have to think about the basic functions of a b2b website for the managers of the site owner, and for suppliers and customers.
- Developing the navigation and design elements of the project. At this step, it would be necessary to involve managers in the discussion and pay attention to the recommendations of UI/UX experts.
- Developing an MVP. The MVP is the first result of b2b eCommerce website development, and it is a working solution performing a minimal number of features. At this step, you can display some products in the catalog, test procurement features with key customers, and collect their feedback about the site.
- Filling the site with content. This step involves uploading a full product assortment to the catalog with photos, descriptions, and specifications. You can supplement the catalog with prices, reviews, marketing materials.
- Identifying problems, fixing them, and launching a b2b site.
At every step of b2b eCommerce website development, it is important to keep in mind that you can’t consider absolutely everything before you start. Even a well-designed site will require improvements, new features, and options for suppliers and buyers later on. This is a normal process. Therefore, already at the stage of hiring a developers’ team, it is worth discussing further support and maintenance. Find more information about things to consider in the process of b2b website development at the AGORA blog.
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Anyone that has ever taken part in web development will attest to the extent of the work that’s required to make it all work. This article gives a good overview of what to expect.