Gone are the days when businessmen shook hands and said, “I’ll have my people call your people,” or, “Let’s do lunch.” In-person meetings are a rarity in today’s digital age and the swapping of business cards has gone the way of the dinosaur. Without an effective digital strategy, you as a supplier, risk becoming extinct or will at least find difficulty in getting your eCommerce company to grow. You must keep pace with what is trending in the marketplace or you will find yourself in the same place as many unfortunate companies who had to close their doors because they failed to follow where global trends were heading.
Where We Are Today
In 2018, B2B eCommerce websites and marketplaces increased sales by 11% to almost $1.1 trillion dollars. This number is only expected to grow as more companies see the opportunity before them and elect to transfer to a digital platform. Within the next two years, 75% of the companies who do not currently operate an eCommerce site plan to create one to attract new customers and grow through having an online presence.
Where are Global Trends Heading in 2020?
The eCommerce trend is yet again undergoing another explosion. By 2023, according to a study by Forrester, eCommerce is expected to hit $1.8 trillion dollars in sales. This number will account for 17% for all B2B sales. Another study by Frost and Sullivan, takes their number globally, and expects to see $6.6 trillion in eCommerce sales by 2020.
These numbers are staggering to some but encouraging to the small eCommerce business owner. This encouragement is paired with certain challenges. It is okay to be excited when you see the possibilities out there, but you need to have a strategy in place before you begin. Right now this strategy points toward everything digital. And the biggest trend now is the smartphone. The Boston Consulting Group in partnership with Google conducted a study that revealed that 50% of B2B searches were conducted via Smartphones. They also see that number to increase to 70% over the next year.
How Can You Make Your Business Successful in this Growing Trend?
The answer is rather simple. Have a visible online presence. This comes through getting your name out there through a third-party marketplaces and other business platforms. You need to mingle with others with your same ideals:
- In order to find other like-minded individuals,
- To display your products and services, and to learn about other businesses like yours,
- To learn what works and what doesn’t work; business is about strategy.
One such option available to you is TradeLeaves BLISS. We can help you get your eCommerce business name out there to other businesses with the same goals to sell products; internationally.
Here is why that is important.
A recent Global B2B eCommerce Market Study 2018 has revealed that sales are projected to be more than two times higher for 2020 than digital retail online sales. This gives us just a glimpse into the possibilities that are available to business who are willing to commit to doing the work needed to make their small or medium business stand out. Partnering up with an expert in the global trade industry can give you the edge you need to build the relationships with other like-minded businesses.
It is becoming more and more evident that visibility is the key to getting noticed. Too many have come and gone. Even the big names can be forgotten. The SME is no different. If visibility is the key to success, then a digital platform is the vehicle that will get you there
What is BLISS?
To effectively elevate your online business visibility on a local level and on a global scale, you need to change your way of looking at the methods you are currently conducting business. A one-dimensional business model will only give you one-dimensional sales. To take your sales through the roof, you need to employ a digital strategy. Through your TradeLeaves profile called BLISS, you have the ability to:
- Manage your company profile that gives your customers detailed information about who you are, where you are located, and important information about your company
- Manage and promote your products and services
- Get genuine, relevant inquiries
- Real-time communication with your buyers
- Analytics of your sales
BLISS not only gives you a Business Listing that spotlights your name; it gives you Information Services that showcase who you are. These are the tools that help align you with the companies around your category. We can fit you with the markets that will best suit your product as well as what you can do as a seller to boost your sales. These can include running ads and special promotions through our Classifieds page.
The Final Word
Let TradeLeaves take your international eCommerce business to the next level. We are a trusted name in the global trade industry. We strive to take the guesswork out of connecting you with the buyers that you are striving to find for your products and services. We have created the most comprehensive and advanced digital platform for domestic and international trade possible. We do more because we want you to sell more. Sign up today and get your first three months on us.
