Essential Features for Effective B2B Automotive eCommerce Solutions
The automotive industry has had its fair share of troubles over the last decade or so. The 2008 financial crisis saw established companies such as GM and Chrysler needing bailouts to stay afloat. However despite this, sales figures have continued to show an upward trend in recent years. There can be no denying however, that the auto industry is changing at a rapid pace. New technologies are revolutionizing the way we think and feel about traditional modes of transport. It's also affecting the way we buy and sell in the sector. Traditionally, automotive eCommerce solutions have been hard to come by. It’s only been in the last few years that eCommerce platforms have offered dedicated online automotive infrastructure. Furthermore, it’s a niche that will continue to grow.
For companies who sell automotive products at a business to business level, it’s essential that they have an eCommerce portal to capture customers who are flocking to the online space. However, with the increasing number of platforms and providers to choose from, how do you choose the right one? In this article we’ll examine some of the essential features that effective B2B automotive eCommerce solutions should have. We’ll also demonstrate why our platform, Shopping Cart Elite, has everything you need to start trading online.
Effective Automotive eCommerce Solutions: Extensive Databases
Perhaps the most useful and important feature of being able to sell B2B auto parts online is having your entire database in one convenient location. This means that aspects such as your fitment database can be managed centrally and applied to your various dealers. A good eCommerce provider will allow you have integration across all of the databases you use. This should include features such as make, model, and year lookups. Not only is it useful for your existing vendors, potential new clients searching for specific parts will be able to find your website. These features are often not present in regular B2C websites. It's therefore vital that you find a platform that can provide such detailed and extensive database integration.
Effective Automotive eCommerce Solutions: Own Data and Customization
No two companies are the same, which means that no two websites will be the same. When you’re choosing an eCommerce platform that can support your B2B needs, one of the important features to look for is the ability to use and customize your own data. For example, if your business sells both OEM parts and after-market parts, you’ll need to be able to input your own data.
You may have already established your business offline, in which case your customers or vendors will expect a certain range and data set. In this instance it’s vital that your online offering matches that of your existing set up. Furthermore, if there are changes to specific parts or models you’ll need a system that can automatically roll out the updates across your databases and partner websites. Without this feature, there’s a lot of manual work involved and customers may be getting a different experience online and offline.
Effective Automotive eCommerce Solutions: Multi-site Support
It’s fairly common for auto industry businesses to have multiple stores or outlets to cater to their customers’ needs, even in B2B situations. The same is true in the online space. When you’re selling through multiple dealers, or when you have both B2B and retail channels you sell through, it’s incredibly useful to have just one backend to deal with. This also relates to some of the factors we’ve already mentioned. By having all your databases in one centrally managed location, you can ensure that data is consistent across your sites. It also means that you can run multiple websites and feeds without having to create a new infrastructure each time. Changes can be automatically synced between sites, even if the websites themselves look very different from one another, or serve a different location or niche.
Effective Automotive eCommerce Solutions: Marketplace Integration
Regardless of whether you’re selling B2B or B2C, an important feature to have is marketplace integration. Sites such as eBay and Amazon have recently moved into the auto parts market with the aim of expanding the sector, so it’s vital that automotive companies can integrate with these platforms. Many retailers and B2B companies are moving their products to be visible on these industry-leading platforms. Because of this, it's important that you don't get left behind. When choosing an eCommerce platform for your auto business, look for the ability to sync your product listings and fitment data for your dealers right on to sites such as Amazon, eBay and Newegg. Missing out on these platforms could be costly, and having to manually update and add new products for your vendors just isn’t time-efficient.
Effective Automotive eCommerce Solutions: Wholesale and Customer Levels
It’s also common for auto industry businesses to have multiple stores or outlets to cater to their customers’ needs, even in B2B situations. The same is true in the online space. When you’re selling through multiple dealers, or when you have both B2B and retail channels you sell through, it’s incredibly useful to have just one backend to deal with. This also relates to some of the factors we’ve already mentioned. By having all your databases in one centrally managed location, you can ensure that data is consistent across your sites. It also means that you can run multiple websites and feeds without having to create a new infrastructure each time. Changes can be automatically synced between sites. This applies even if the websites themselves look very different from one another, or serve a different location or niche.
Shopping Cart Elite: A Specialist B2B Automotive Platform
It’s with our specialist knowledge of both the B2B automotive vertical and eCommerce that we’ve created our powerful systems. We're confident that they can accommodate for your every business need. We provide a wide range of tools in order to help you set up your online B2B channel. This includes functionality that is specifically designed for those in the auto niche. Below we’ve outlined some of the features we think are most useful for our customers:
Integrated Fitment Databases
Above we mentioned the importance of integrating all of your databases in one central space. Shopping Cart Elite does just this. We bring together some of the most widely used databases, including ACES, PIES, ERP Motors, and Sizeitup. With this integration you’re assured to have fitment data for North American, European, Australian, and Japanese models. Whether it is for industry standard or aftermarket parts, it’s readily accessible to integrate onto your site. This includes wheel and tire fitment data. You can also add make, model, and year lookup options. These features give your customers all the filters they need to quickly and effectively find the parts they’re looking for.
Integrated Fitment Mapping Tools
Having access to the various fitment databases is incredibly useful, yet managing all that data can sometimes be difficult. We’ve recognized this, and have therefore including integrated fitment mapping tools with the Shopping Cart Elite platform. It means that you can easily add new vehicle fitment data inside the platform without having to get a third party to handle or map your data. What's more, our ACES and PIES databases are updated on a monthly basis. This means you’ll always have the most up-to-date data, and any data that no longer matches will be automatically highlighted to you. Furthermore, if you are using a third party to handle your data, it can easily be imported into the platform.
Marketplace Integration
As we highlighted previously, sites such as Amazon are rapidly adopting and expanding auto parts niches. It’s therefore greatly important to be able to list on these sites. That’s why our integrated connectors make it easy for you to push your product and fitment data to a variety of platforms. This includes Amazon, SDC, eBay Motors, and Newegg. This can help increase both sales and the visibility of your brand.
Shopping Cart Elite: Committed to Providing the Best Automotive eCommerce Solutions
What we’ve hopefully demonstrated in this article is the importance of choosing the right eCommerce provider for your B2B automotive businesses. The industry is gearing up for expansion, so it’s a crucial time to lay solid foundations for your company. Not only do you have to consider how you will handle large databases and marketplace integration, but how your customers and dealers will interact with them. Shopping Cart Elite is positioned to provide all of the essentials for you to successfully build your brand’s online presence. This includes powerful tools, a wealth of experience, and a consumer-driven mindset. With these we aim to deliver everything you need, and more, to be successful in the online space.