B2B Storefront Features: A Simple 3-Point Checklist for F&B Suppliers

Three key features that F&B suppliers need to streamline B2B sales and enhance customer experience.
Published on
September 20, 2024

Ever feel like you need help in a never-ending loop of back-and-forth emails, manual orders, and slow sales processes? In the food and beverage world, especially when selling B2B, things can get a bit… well, clunky. Many suppliers face this battle, juggling operations while keeping restaurants, cafes, and bars happy. And let's face it—when things are slow, it impacts your bottom line.

It doesn't have to be like that. There's a better, quicker, and smoother way, starting with a modern B2B storefront. Whether you're a seasoned supplier or just stepping into the digital world, you've got to focus on the right features. We've boiled these down to three key features that will transform how you sell.

1. Public B2B Storefronts: Stop Hiding Behind Logins!

We've all been there—searching for something online only to hit a roadblock: a frustrating login wall or a slow-loading site. Now, think about how your potential customers feel when they visit your storefront, only to be greeted with that annoyance. Not exactly rolling out the red welcome mat.

Many suppliers keep their entire catalog hidden behind passwords. Sure, the intention's good (you want to protect pricing or other sensitive info), but in the end, you're likely scaring off potential buyers before they even know what you offer. And that's not how you win friends or sales.

Instead, keep your catalog open and accessible and restrict sensitive details like pricing to approved customers. This way, potential customers can browse without barriers while approved buyers get access to the complete package. It's all about giving a smooth experience up front. Hence, prospects are more likely to stick around and consider doing business with you.

2. Smart Product Catalogs: Make It Easy, or They'll Walk

Your product catalog is the foundation of your business. It's not just a list or PDF—it's the tool that helps your customers decide whether to do business with you or move on. People don't have time for overly complicated catalogs, especially in the fast-paced world of hospitality.

You can make a few tweaks to ensure your catalog is more user-friendly and keeps customers engaged. Here's how you can do it:

  • Personalized Catalog: Imagine your customers only see what's relevant to them. Sounds great, right? Cut through the noise by showing them products they actually need.
  • Favorites Management: Everyone loves a shortcut. Allow customers to easily manage their favorite items, saving time and ensuring smooth repeat ordering.
  • Intelligent Search: No one types out a full product name or code if they don't have to. Your search tool should be able to handle common misspellings and abbreviations.

3. Integrations: Save Time by Automating Everything

Let's be honest—manual order processing is a drag. It's one of those tasks that feels endless and keeps you from focusing on more significant, more important things (like growing your business). Most e-commerce platforms only give you the basics, which leaves you with a ton of manual work.

This is where integrations come to help. When your B2B storefront connects with your other systems, like ERP software (think Microsoft Business Central, Odoo, or ERPLY), it automates the order processing. No more hours spent manually inputting orders or chasing down details. Automation not only cuts down on errors but also frees up time that you can put toward scaling your business.

In the fast-paced world of food, beverage, and hospitality, standing out isn't just about having the best products—it's about making doing business with you as smooth as possible. Public B2B storefronts, well-organized product catalogs, and seamless integrations are essentials of a successful B2B storefront. Focusing on these three areas will streamline your operations and create a better customer experience. And when your customers are happy, your business grows.

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