Digital Marketing for B2B eCommerce: How to Drive More Sales
Kevin Phillips- HubSpot
- November 5, 2024
How is your B2B eCommerce business reaching new customers these days? If you’re still relying on trade shows, referrals, and cold calling, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
B2B buyers increasingly turn to the internet to research suppliers, compare options, and even make purchases without needing an in-person interaction. In fact, 43% of ecommerce traffic comes from organic searches.
If your company isn’t visible in these online searches, you’re likely losing out to competitors that are just a click away from closing a deal.
At Media Junction, we understand digital marketing for B2B eCommerce. For over 25 years, we’ve helped companies like yours build and grow their online presence, so you can generate more leads and convert them into loyal customers.
Navigating the complexities of digital marketing can be challenging, especially when you’re focused on sales, logistics, and customer relationships. But don’t worry—you don’t have to do it alone. In this guide, we’ll cover essential digital strategies for B2B eCommerce businesses.
From website optimization to content marketing, social media, and email, we’ll outline the steps to attract and retain business customers. Let’s get started.
Why B2B eCommerce companies need a digital marketing strategy
Without a robust digital marketing strategy, your B2B business risks being outpaced in today’s online landscape. Gone are the days when word-of-mouth and trade publications were enough.
Buyers are now online, researching potential suppliers, evaluating their offerings, and expecting a seamless digital experience. Delaying your digital transformation could mean losing potential customers to competitors with a strong online presence.
An effective digital strategy positions you as more than just another vendor—it shows customers that you’re a reliable partner who understands their needs and can offer solutions that drive their success.
Your website: the core of your online presence
Your website is the digital storefront where prospective customers learn about your offerings, company values, and why they should choose your brand.
A confusing or outdated website is like sending potential clients to a sales meeting with no preparation—they’ll leave frustrated and turn to a competitor.
Here’s what your website needs to attract and engage buyers:
- Fast loading speed: A quick-loading site keeps visitors on the page and reduces bounce rates.
- User-friendly navigation: Make it easy for clients to find information on products, services, and pricing.
- Mobile-friendly design: Many buyers browse on their phones, so a responsive, mobile-optimized site is essential.
- Lead-generating features: Offer downloadable resources like industry reports, product catalogs, or buyer’s guides to capture leads.
- Clear calls-to-action (CTAs): Encourage actions like requesting a quote, scheduling a demo, or contacting your sales team.
- SEO-optimized content: Use keywords like “wholesale suppliers in [city]” or “bulk materials for manufacturing” to attract relevant searches.
- Data security: A secure website with HTTPS is essential to protect customer information and build trust.
Consider an all-in-one platform like HubSpot to integrate your website with CRM tools, so you can track inquiries, manage customer relationships, and stay organized.
Content marketing: building authority and fostering trust
In B2B eCommerce, you’re not just selling products—you’re positioning your business as a trusted resource. Content marketing helps you build authority and foster trust with potential customers, allowing you to address common pain points and offer valuable insights.
For example, a general article about “bulk purchasing” may attract some views, but a more specific piece like “The Benefits of Bulk Purchasing for Medical Equipment Suppliers” can be much more impactful.
Here are some content ideas:
- How to choose the right supplier for your business needs
- Understanding product lifecycle management and ROI
- Top trends in sustainable sourcing and procurement
Content like this positions you as an authority, helping potential customers feel confident about doing business with you.
Structuring content for maximum impact with pillar pages
An effective content strategy organizes information around key topics of interest, using a “pillar and cluster” model that Google and other search engines favor.
Here’s how it works: Start with a pillar page that provides a comprehensive overview of a topic, such as “The Complete Guide to B2B eCommerce.” This page would give a high-level summary of essential concepts and link to more specific cluster articles that dive deeper.
Here are a few examples of pillar pages and their potential clusters:
-
The Ultimate Guide to B2B eCommerce
- Cluster articles:
- “The Role of CRM in B2B eCommerce Success”
- “Automating Order Management for Increased Efficiency”
- “B2B eCommerce Trends: What to Expect in 2025”
- “How to Improve Customer Retention in B2B Sales”
- Cluster articles:
-
Everything You Need to Know About Lead Management
- Cluster articles:
- “Top Lead Qualification Criteria for B2B Sales”
- “How to Nurture Leads with Email Marketing”
- “Converting Leads into Loyal Customers: Best Practices”
- “Tracking Lead Behavior to Improve Sales Strategies”
- Cluster articles:
This approach helps establish your website as a comprehensive resource on essential industry topics, which can lead to higher search rankings.
Google favors sites that offer well-organized, interlinked content, as this structure reduces bounce rates and keeps users engaged, ultimately improving your SEO.
Social media: connecting with customers and building credibility
Social media might not be the first thing that comes to mind for B2B eCommerce, but it’s a powerful tool to establish your brand, connect with potential customers, and build credibility.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and even Instagram allow you to showcase your company’s values, share success stories, and interact with your audience.
Here’s how to make the most of social media:
- Educational posts: Share insights on industry trends, tips for procurement, or new technology applications.
- Showcase products and case studies: Highlight successful projects or unique use cases to build credibility.
- Promote webinars and demos: Use social media to announce events, virtual tours, and product demos.
- Celebrate achievements: Showcase awards, partnerships, and customer testimonials.
- Spotlight team members: Share stories about your team to foster trust and transparency.
- Behind-the-scenes content: Give a glimpse into your processes and culture, which can humanize your brand.
Social media allows B2B eCommerce businesses to engage clients and prospects, reinforcing your expertise and helping customers feel connected to your brand.
Email marketing: nurturing prospects and maintaining relationships
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep in touch with prospective customers and existing clients, allowing you to share timely updates, insights, and important information directly to their inboxes.
Here’s how to maximize your email marketing efforts:
- Segment your lists: Tailor messages for different audiences, such as new leads, current clients, or high-value prospects.
- Offer value: Each email should provide useful information, like industry reports, product updates, or invitations to exclusive events.
- Make it personal: Address recipients by name and customize content based on their needs or previous interactions.
- Include clear CTAs: Encourage actions such as scheduling a demo, requesting a quote, or downloading a resource.
With a mix of newsletters, case studies, and educational content, you can keep your audience informed and engaged, driving stronger relationships and repeat business.
Personalizing your digital content
In B2B eCommerce, personalization is key to building long-lasting customer relationships. Buyers want to feel confident that you understand their unique needs and business challenges.
Tailoring your digital content helps show that you’re listening to their specific requirements, providing solutions that truly resonate with them, and positioning your business as a valuable partner.
Here’s how to tailor your messaging for different audiences:
- For Manufacturers and Suppliers: Highlight order management tools, CRM capabilities, and efficiency solutions that can streamline bulk transactions.
- For Service Providers: Focus on customer engagement, lead tracking, and analytics to optimize customer experience.
- For General B2B eCommerce Buyers: Emphasize user-friendly interfaces, reliable customer support, and automated workflows.
Personalizing your digital content in this way helps each customer segment feel understood and valued, strengthening their trust in your brand.
This level of attentiveness not only differentiates your business in a crowded marketplace but also fosters loyalty, encouraging repeat business and positioning your company as a trusted, solutions-oriented partner.
By making customers feel seen and valued, you’re creating a foundation for enduring relationships and driving long-term growth for your B2B eCommerce business.
Integrate your digital tools for a seamless experience
Managing a website, social media, email, and CRM can be complex, especially as your B2B business grows and customer demands increase.
A unified platform like HubSpot helps you manage these tasks seamlessly, ensuring you stay organized, track communications, and capture leads effectively.
By integrating these tools, your team can focus on building relationships and scaling your operations, rather than juggling multiple disconnected systems.
By centralizing these tasks, you’ll have a clearer view of what’s working and can quickly adjust strategies to improve engagement and conversions.
A unified platform also enhances the customer experience, enabling timely and coordinated interactions throughout the buyer’s journey.
Plus, having real-time data insights at your fingertips lets you respond to trends and customer needs more proactively, creating a smoother, more satisfying experience for every buyer.
This streamlined approach ultimately boosts productivity and positions your business to scale efficiently as demand grows.
Find a digital marketing partner who understands B2B eCommerce
Handling digital marketing in-house can be overwhelming. Partnering with a digital marketing expert familiar with B2B eCommerce can help you create a strategy that showcases your strengths and connects with your target audience.
At Media Junction, we’ve helped B2B businesses build a powerful online presence, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within the eCommerce sector.
Ready to grow your B2B eCommerce business online?
With a focused digital marketing strategy, you’ll attract new clients, strengthen customer relationships, and build a solid online presence.
If you’re ready to enhance your digital strategy, Media Junction is here to support your growth and success. Contact us to discuss how we can help you reach your business goals.
Meet Kevin Phillips, your go-to expert for making digital content that gets noticed. With a decade of experience, Kevin has helped over 150 clients with their websites, messaging, and marketing strategies. He won the Impact Success Award in 2017 and holds certifications like Storybrand and They Ask, You Answer. Kevin dives deep into content creation, helping businesses engage customers and increase revenue. Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding, disc golf, and being a dad to his three kids, blending professional insight with a dash of humor and passion.
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