Enterprise eCommerce Platforms: How to Make the Right Choice

As companies grow in size and complexity, the need for learning how to choose an enterprise eCommerce platform becomes inevitable. The challenges CEOs and business leaders face in 2023 are numerous and daunting, ranging from inflation and recessions to evolving technologies and rising customer expectations. 

According to Statista, the global B2B eCommerce market is projected to reach $20.9 trillion by 2027. So, selecting the right enterprise eCommerce platform is crucial for any business that wants to stay ahead of the competition and succeed in today’s dynamic market.

In this blog post, we’ll help CEOs navigate the complexities of choosing an enterprise-level eCommerce platform. We’ll provide an overview of enterprise eCommerce systems’ essential features and benefits, the solutions available, and how to build your requirements. 

Key Features and Benefits of Enterprise eCommerce Platforms 🌟

Enterprise eCommerce platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and connectivity that you won’t find in B2C or entry-level B2B eCommerce solutions. Some of the key features that enterprises should look for in an eCommerce platform include:

• Product Catalogs: An enterprise eCommerce solution must handle large volumes of products, hundreds of thousands of SKUs, and customizable contract terms.
• Price Lists: Enterprises require the ability to manage various price lists, including volume and negotiated discounts.
• Quoting: To simplify the sales negotiation process, enterprise eCommerce solutions must facilitate quoting functionality, including scheduling follow-up activities.
• Tax Rules: With customers operating in multiple jurisdictions, a customizable tax accounting system is crucial to an enterprise eCommerce solution.
• Account Management and Control: Enterprises must maintain complex company hierarchies while providing customer account controls that mirror their organizations.
• Content Management System: A robust CMS tool with low-code functionality is essential for creating websites, landing pages, and downloadable assets.
• Localization: Enterprises with a global footprint must localize the content displayed to cater to local markets.
• Multi-website Support: A unified backend should support multiple websites and front-end experiences.
• Shopping Carts and Wish Lists: Enterprises should provide B2B buyers with the capability of placing orders similar to B2C retail buyers, including a shareable wishlist functionality.
• Integration with Other Business Services: The platform should integrate seamlessly with essential business solutions such as ERP, PIM, WMS, OMS, and third-party logistics providers, along with third-party marketing apps.

Advantages of Enterprise-Level eCommerce Platforms 🏆

Enterprise-grade eCommerce platforms offer scalability, flexibility, and superior connectivity, making them indispensable tools for organizations that wish to be competitive in their respective markets. 

Here are some of the benefits of such platforms:

• Scalable: Enterprise platforms offer near-infinite growth potential without performance loss, making them ideal for organizations that expect to expand.
• Flexible: Enterprise-grade solutions conform to how a company does business, allowing the platform to work with traditional architecture or as a headless solution for maximum development flexibility.
• Connective: These platforms must exhibit the highest connectivity levels since they require a wide range of solutions, programs, and apps to run a business entirely.
• Customer-focused: By focusing on the customer, enterprise-grade eCommerce solutions provide immersive digital experiences, including video and audio features, chatbots, live chat, ticket management support, and relationship management functionality, enabling customers to define their access and authority.

Choosing the Right Enterprise eCommerce Platform 🔑

To choose the right enterprise eCommerce platform, you must consider the size and complexity of your organization, define your requirements, evaluate your hosting options, and find a provider that offers features that align with your business strategy. A successful implementation requires a partnership where the provider can help you tailor the platform to your needs and provide ongoing support post-implementation.

In today’s ever-evolving digital world, a successful eCommerce business requires more than great products and a target audience. To thrive in the enterprise space, you need the right tools, starting with choosing the perfect eCommerce platform. 🤔

The Best Enterprise eCommerce Platforms

When it comes to enterprise eCommerce platforms, there are numerous options available. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the top contenders in the market. Let’s dive in. 💪

1. BigCommerce Enterprise

Pricing 💰: Between $500 and $15,000 per month.

BigCommerce Enterprise offers a comprehensive solution for enterprise customers, providing out-of-the-box performance and seamless store management. With support for large product catalogs and over 250 payment methods, BigCommerce simplifies the selling process. However, be aware of the PayPal transaction fees. 😕

2. Wix Enterprise

Pricing 💰: Starting at $500 per month.

Wix Enterprise offers an all-in-one platform to create, collaborate, and launch impeccable brand experiences at scale. With customizable templates, marketing tools, and enterprise-grade security, Wix is a great option for businesses looking for affordability and flexibility. Just keep in mind the limitations of template customization. 🎨

3. Shopify Plus

Pricing 💰: Starting from $2,000 per month.

Shopify Plus is a renowned name in the eCommerce world, combining user-friendly features with exceptional performance. With Shopify Plus, you can easily manage multiple stores, benefit from customizable checkouts, and leverage the extensive range of plugins. Oh, and did we mention their amazing customer support? 👏

4. OroCommerce

Let’s look at OroCommerce, a rising star in the enterprise eCommerce platform arena. OroCommerce caters specifically to B2B businesses, offering a feature-rich platform designed to meet wholesale and manufacturing companies’ unique needs. OroCommerce provides robust B2B-specific functionalities, such as personalized catalogs, pricing and quoting options, flexible workflows, and integration capabilities. With OroCommerce, businesses can streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and drive growth. 🚀

Considerations When Choosing an Enterprise eCommerce Platform

Now that we’ve explored some of the top enterprise eCommerce platforms available, let’s discuss some factors to consider when deciding. 💡

• Scalability and Flexibility: Ensure the platform can accommodate your business’s growth and adapt to changing market demands. Look for scalability features like unlimited bandwidth and support for large product catalogs.
• Customization Options: Evaluate the level of customization available to align the platform with your brand identity and meet unique business requirements. Balance pre-built features with the ability to add customizations when necessary.
• Integration Capabilities: Consider the platform’s compatibility with other tools and systems you use in your business. Integration with CRM software, inventory management systems, and marketing automation tools can streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Security and Support: Enterprise businesses must prioritize data security and customer protection. Look for platforms that offer robust security measures, compliance with privacy regulations, and reliable customer support available 24/7.

Choosing a reliable and efficient enterprise eCommerce platform is crucial for the long-term success of your business. Organizations can offer scalable, flexible, and connected systems with an enterprise-grade solution. 

By following the guidelines in this blog post, business leaders can select the right enterprise eCommerce platform for their organization and stay ahead of the competition.

Consider your enterprise’s unique requirements, weigh each platform’s pros and cons, and don’t forget to explore options tailored specifically for B2B businesses. 

Happy selling. 💻📈