Ecommerce has changed the face of shopping. Transactions have migrated towards online as consumers enjoy the 24/7 convenience of the internet, and by 2040 it’s estimated that ecommerce will account for 95% of all purchases.
When we talk about ecommerce, we often refer to B2C transactions, but online is shaping the way B2B performs. In 2020, the global B2B ecommerce market size was valued at 6.64 trillion USD and will likely increase to an estimated 25.65 trillion USD by 2028, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.7% from 2021 to 2028.
Business to business (B2B) reservation ecommerce is the sale of goods or services between businesses via a digital sales portal. Despite being slower to adopt ecommerce, B2B brands are increasingly looking for ways to bring their product and service reservations online to improve the efficiency of their sales efforts and meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Until fairly recently, launching a digital B2B reservation solution wasn’t an option for the majority of smaller businesses and independent venue operators. However, thanks to the development of plug-and-play solutions like the Rezcomm Marketplace, advanced ecommerce functionality is within budget and reach of all businesses.
From flight tickets to travel reservations, concert tickets to parking subscriptions – whatever you’re selling, an omnichannel solution like the Rezcomm Marketplace makes it possible to meet the needs of both your business and customers.
When choosing reservation ecommerce software, you need to consider the changing needs of the customers you serve. For example, while a Gen X buyer may have preferred the personalised experience of an in-person sales rep, 73% of Millennials are now involved in the B2B buying process. This technology-driven generation expects the same personalised experience only through seamless digital channels.
As a result, BigCommerce, predicts that one of the biggest trends for B2B ecommerce in 2022 will be creating a customer-centric B2C-like experience for shoppers. Prioritising user experience and the user interface is key to ensuring customers can quickly locate what they are looking for and make reservations with ease.
Additionally, 50% of B2B buyers highlight personalisation as a key feature when searching for online suppliers to build relationships. As a result, they’ll spend 48% more with B2B brands that offer a personalised experience. With this in mind, it is essential to choose a reservation ecommerce solution that can deliver a personalised shopping experience, with the ability to harness previous booking data and behaviours and tailor cross-sells, upsells and offers to enhance the customer experience.
Chances are you’re already using online booking software. But seeing as you’ve clicked on this article, we’ll go out on a limb and suggest that you’re likely looking for something better. Perhaps your existing software is costly and outdated? Maybe it’s limited in terms of the customisation features or functionality it offers. Whatever the reason, now is a great time to consider something new.
But what exactly should you be looking for in reservation ecommerce software? Let’s start with some basic requirements.
High-quality reservation ecommerce software should:
Now you’ve considered the requirements, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the system. Does it offer the following features?
The Rezcomm Marketplace offers all of these fantastic Reservation features and more. Whether you are selling meeting room reservations, COVID-19 test bookings, or parking subscriptions online, we make it easy for your customers to search, cost and book the services they need from the one brand they trust – yours.
Get in touch with the Rezcomm team today to discover how our Reservations modules can benefit your business.
Cultivating Rezcomm’s brand presence, Sarah Marks is our Director of Communications. A T-shaped marketer at heart, she has a broad skill set, with a particular passion for SEO and email marketing. While her core focus is on strengthening Rezcomm’s brand, she also provides strategic advice to clients.