The Pros and Cons of B2B portals

There is an exodus of information out there, online and in offline literature, that teaches you the latest strategies in promoting your business and attracting that niche group of people who are likely to buy your products or services. As technology has advanced, the methods have modified or been designated by different terminology, the underlying essence though remains the same- Change is good, change gets you noticed. What is often overlooked- undeniable Quality.

Business to Business trading or B2B is a later day offshoot of traditional marketing. Latest reports indicate that B2B has already attained a significance on par with B2C (Business to Consumer) trading and continues to improve at a steady rate. The idea that a business can sell its products/services to other businesses, usually as a raw product, is a lucrative option. However again, businesses have currently concentrated on the ‘change’ and ignored that other major lynchpin- ‘Quality’.

If you conducted an online search for B2B service providers, you will find thousands of websites that claim to be your best bet in B2B trading. If you further enquired, you will see that apart from certain obvious names likes Alibaba.com, Indiamart, Toboc etc, the majority of them boast of a trickle sized, fickle membership. An average trader responds to a need- in the moment and without considering the bigger picture. Quality is a distant priority.

A good B2B portal will represent your business to the World in a professional and approachable way. It will strive to create reliable trade partnerships, open newer markets and encourage you to participate more with its varied, cost-effective business friendly features. The quality being spoken of is in the collection of an exhaustive, fully scrutinized collection of businesses that form a dependable B2B directory wherein your business can find its sources and objectives.

The current online B2B marketplace is a chaotic space wherein individuality is not recognised, the task of reaching out falls squarely on your business’s shoulder and sharp competition may exist within the B2B directory itself. The importers directory is a prized commodity as compared to the exporters’ directory- and the B2B portal might favour the former at the expense of the latter. The sheer need to be economically viable forces many B2B portals from being functional at their absolute best- limiting important features to paying customers that puts off the casual visitors.

The era of B2B trading has arrived and B2B portals across the world are gearing up to profit from this new found recognition and interest. While making your choice, enquire, research and settle for a good B2B portal that understands and appreciates your take on online trading. The easiest way to identify the diamonds in the sand is to test it yourself. Good luck with your B2B endeavours through 2013 and beyond.