B-to-B

Sometimes an odd suggestion can really turn a company around. Here are three nontraditional recommendations that have significantly improved sales for B-to-B direct marketers:

As the price of postage continues to rise, it's time for B-to-B marketers to get out there and actively explore new ways to reach their customers who bypass the USPS. It's time to consider digital catalogs as part of your media mix.

Amazon.com is making a clear play into the B2B ecommerce market, particularly within the distribution sector, with the launch of AmazonSupply.com. The new site offers over 500,000 SKUs. What does this mean for your B2B ecommerce business, particularly if you are a distributor in one of the above categories? There are three main take aways from the advent of Amazon in the B2B ecommerce space. 

Read on to find out more.

Grainger CEO Jim Ryan introduced a new mobile website to make online ordering from the company's catalog of 900,000 products even easier and faster. The mobile platform allows consumers to access all of the features of the website via Android, iPhone or BlackBerry mobile device.

Is a Groupon model the next big thing for B-to-B? Apparently not. Or at least not now. Chicago-based consulting firm Ajilitee used Groupon to offer $25,000 worth of consulting services at half price. It was the biggest deal Groupon had ever offered.

The U.S. Postal Service has just wrapped up a postage sale for various mail pieces that included a QR code. When the USPS made the announcement, several respected and knowledgeable B-to-B cross-channel retailers asked me what a QR code was and why is the USPS so interested in them.

Q: "I'm thinking about creating an online version of my print B-to-B catalog. Any best practices here? Also, what are typical response rates for online B-to-B catalogs? — Steve Cates, director of e-commerce, Galls

Undoubtedly, the end of the recession plus the beginning of the new year creates times of change. Many fear change due to the fear of the unknown and an alteration from their comfort zone. But change really should be embraced.

Endeca Technologies has announced the results of an e-commerce survey of business-to-consumer and business-to-business organizations. The survey of 430 B-to-C and 160 B-to-B professionals reveals business results for 2010 as well as areas of focus for 2011. 

Your company has WordPress up and running. You've just posted your mandatory this-is-our-new-blog introduction. Now what? The web is littered with abandoned blogs — i.e., stale forums with year-old musings.