Understanding Your B2B E-Commerce Platform Options

lee carl

Understanding Your B2B E-Commerce Platform Options

B2B e-commerce is entering its golden period. According to research by Forrester, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% over the next five years.

While some may still choose to host their own platform, it is evident that a third-party cloud-based platform is the better option.

The service and features offered by such platforms are unmatched and critical in ensuring the success of your e-commerce efforts.

However, there are still stark differences among these platforms, and it is of utmost importance that you choose the one best suited for your business.

Let’s take a look at some of the key areas which help you decide between the various B2B e-commerce options.

1) Integrations

B2B e-commerce is a multi-layered process and it is expected of you to provide as many features as possible.

Some of these features require integrations with third-party applications. It is important that your platform facilitates and encourages these integrations.

Some platforms offer a store or app exchange where you can find various apps to integrate with your website.

2) PCI Compliance

With the advent of online payment options, PCI compliance has gained a lot of importance. Some e-commerce platforms provide this themselves while some leave the burden on you.

Along with this, you should also consider the payment options and integrate custom alternatives if required.

3) Configuration

B2B e-commerce strives to give the same experience as a B2C platform but it is far more complex, and it is, therefore, necessary for you to check the configurability of your platform.

The best platforms offer differential pricing solutions, workflow organization, and customer hierarchies, among other features.

4) Customer Relationship Management

B2B e-commerce has taken CRM to another level because of the hugely detailed and organized data it provides to businesses.

Salesforce, the market leader in B2B e-commerce platforms, completely revolutionized CRM with its entry. You need to test the CRM software on offer and verify its accuracy.

5) Mobile Friendly

A large proportion of B2B e-commerce inquiries originate from mobile devices, so is essential that your platform is mobile-friendly.

The mobile version shouldn’t just be a scaled-down version of the desktop version, as that isn’t always compatible.

Special time and effort need to be dedicated to developing your mobile app or website.

6) Personalization

Long-standing personal relations have defined B2B commerce for ages and, using cloud-based platforms, you can enhance this personalization to another level.

Custom landing pages, detailed account activity, and tailored pricing are just some of the things you can do through online platforms.

You need to decide the level of personalization you want to offer and see which platform can fulfill your demands.

7) Cost and Maintenance

The maintenance requirement of cloud-based platforms is considerably lower than in-house servers, but regular updates still need to be implemented.

Moreover, the cost of the service itself along with the price of all the features and updates needs to be accounted for before you choose your B2B e-commerce platform.

E-commerce is the direction in which the B2B market is headed, and it is vital for your business to partner up with the right platform. It is imperative that you assess and learn the nitty-gritty of each platform before deciding which way to go.

Source: B2B E-Commerce Platform Options

lee carl

Is PCI Compliance cost really worth the investment?

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PCI DSS Log Management

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This is due to how sensitive payment data transfer is. The PCI-discussions SSCs led to the development of the PCI-DSS, which quickly became the industry's "best practices" for protecting customer payment data and information. This requirement relates to the oversight of network and data access. Requirement 10 emphasizes that you constantly keep an eye on user access to and activity in your environment. To track password guesses and brute-force hacking attacks, keep track of invalid or illegal login attempts.

What is PCI Compliance?

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What is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)? The PCI DSS, which all organizations are required to follow, defines a common set of security standards for processing, storing or transmitting credit card data. What is the difference between PCI DSS and PCI PA-DSS? In 2012, the PCI SSC introduced another standard known as the PCI Payment Application Data Security Standard (PA-DSS). The PCI DSS is a comprehensive standard that applies to all organizations that process, store or transmit credit card data.

PCI DSS Compliance: Requirements and Challenges in the United States

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In the United States, as in many other countries, PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for businesses handling credit card transactions. Let's explore the requirements and challenges associated with PCI DSS compliance in the United States. Challenges of PCI DSS Compliance in the United States:Complexity of Requirements:Meeting all twelve PCI DSS requirements can be complex and resource-intensive, especially for organizations with diverse IT systems and processes. Addressing PCI DSS Compliance Challenges:Education and Awareness:Train employees on PCI DSS requirements and security best practices. Collaboration with Payment Card Industry (PCI) Council:Stay updated with PCI DSS standards and guidelines published by the PCI Security Standards Council.

What Is PCI Compliance in eCommerce?

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Things to Keep in Mind About Your Local Store and Compliance

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But with all the fun running your own local store can bring, there are a couple of pitfalls that await if you rush into it without taking the time to do your due diligence first.

The risks of non-complianceDepending on the specifics of your business and the specific violation you make, you can be fined by the local regulatory body.

For example, if you’re planning to be hiring employees, you’re required to pay them at least a minimum wage, as well as respect their rights.

Compliance means protecting the customers as well as your company.

Furthermore, letting them know you’re compliant will increase the trust of your customers.

When a customer’s card is swiped, that’s the point where it’s most vulnerable to theft and interception.

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