Create a B2B Platform: 10 Tips for Developing a Professional B2B Platform

The internet has now become an indispensable constant companion – especially in industry and retail. Applications and web platforms enable companies to present their projects and services to customers while facilitating online shopping, payment, and the processing of invoices and liabilities. For this reason, there are a range of systems such as e-commerce applications and content management systems (CMS) that address this topic and provide companies with a web platform in a short time. If that is not sufficient, the software must be custom developed. In this article, we will show you what to consider when it comes to the programming and use of a B2B online platform.

The Essentials at a Glance

Development of an Online Video Platform

What Exactly Is a B2B Online Platform?

It is difficult to define uniformly what a B2B online platform exactly is. In principle, there are many possibilities and options. For example, the job exchange of a large international corporation you might apply to is a platform. But even the dating portal where you may have met your partner is an online platform.

In comparison to an ordinary online platform, there is one constant in a B2B project: the B2B platform is always created for business-to-business relationships. Such platforms are generally not available to the average consumer. Rather, the platform is used, for example, for communication between designer and supplier, etc.

Advantages and Goals of a B2B Online Platform

The advantages of a B2B online platform are obvious. They offer visitors, customers, employees, etc., a multitude of options and services. For instance, a solitary user can search for his dream partner via a dating platform, a student after graduation can apply for a job at the company of his choice, or a family can book their vacation during the summer holidays. Online platforms are developed according to the wishes and requirements of the company. They are highly specialized, and essentially anything you want to achieve with the app can be implemented.

The benefits are also clear. A good online platform is easy to use. It combines a multitude of functions and is directly connected to the company and its database. For example, the platform can send emails, inform specific responsible persons, etc. Just think back to the last time you used a dating portal, booked a trip online, or applied to a company. Consider all the functions available. Then you will understand what it is all about and what advantages and goals such a platform can offer. And remember: what you see as a user is only the frontend. The backend, with all its functions and tasks – who is informed when and how, and how users interact with the platform – is an entirely different matter.

10 Tips for Programming a B2B Online Platform

Now that you know what an online platform is, what advantages it offers, and what it is used for, it is time for you to learn how to successfully implement such a complex project. In this section, we present ten expert tips to help ensure your project becomes a success.

Tip 1: Plan Your B2B Project Proactively and Thoroughly

As mentioned earlier, an online platform or web app is a complex piece of software. This cannot be compared to creating and programming a simple website. For this reason, you should begin your project with thorough and proactive planning. Consider what goals you want to achieve with the platform, what function it should serve, etc. Also consider how many users will use the platform, what other software or systems need to be integrated, etc. The planning and development of a concept is an absolute must for the success of an online platform.

Tip 2: Procure Your Own Server with Sufficient Capacity

An online platform consists of a number of subsystems. You need a database to store the data and, if necessary, additional tools such as the integration of frameworks, APIs, payment providers, etc. This must be taken into account when procuring a server. Especially with larger and more complex platforms, a high volume of data and traffic will quickly accumulate. The server must not only be able to process this but the databases and hard drives must also have the necessary storage capacity. Sufficient hard drives and memory are therefore important.

Tip 3: Avoid Web Hosting or a Shared Server

We advise against using hosting providers – and in particular, shared server hosting – when creating an online platform. For one, an online platform is very complex and requires high traffic, good bandwidth, ample storage space, and security. A hosting service usually cannot offer all of that. In addition, your own server can be upgraded if needed. If you run out of storage, you can easily install new hard drives and expand the memory. Another problem with hosting providers is that an online platform usually comes with very complex requirements and an elaborate configuration. Often, it is necessary to have direct access to the server, which hosting providers typically do not allow or only allow very restrictively.

Tip 4: A CMS Is Usually Not Suitable for the B2B Sector

When creating a website or an online shop, many webmasters and companies now rely on so-called shop and content management systems. This software is easy to install without prior knowledge and does not require any special skills or expertise. Accordingly, it might seem logical to use such a CMS or shop system for an online platform as well. However, this is often not recommended, as such systems are not flexible enough in their functions and capabilities to create a complex online platform. They also lack scalability, which is why custom-developed platforms – although more expensive – are almost always the better choice.

Tip 5: Always Plan One Step at a Time

The implementation of an online B2B platform should proceed step by step. You should implement one function after another rather than tackling everything simultaneously. This makes it easier to identify errors and ensures that the previous section functions correctly before you begin work on the new section. This is important, as the temptation to immediately implement an idea during development – so it isn’t forgotten – is strong.

Tip 6: Hire a Professional B2B Development Agency

The development of an online B2B platform is a complex and extensive undertaking. Expertise and excellent knowledge of the various programming languages are a must. In addition, the task is generally too large for a single developer. Therefore, if you do not have your own IT department with developers and specialists, you should entrust the task to a professional and experienced agency. They will not only develop your platform but also take over maintenance and updates, etc.

Tip 7: Set Limits for Capital and Resources

Instead of hiring an agency and immediately diving into development, you should determine and set a fixed budget during the project planning and preparation phase. This budget should serve as the basis for negotiations and the final platform. While upward deviations should be possible in emergencies, they should be avoided if possible. If the budget is insufficient for the desired platform, then you might consider planning a phased rollout and gradually implementing additional functions.

Tip 8: Plan Flexibly and for Scalability

While it is good to plan on a small scale and start cautiously, you must remain flexible and scalable. Your platform could unexpectedly become successful and need to grow rapidly. It may need to integrate new payment providers or work with a new shop, ERP, or accounting system. Perhaps a different database will be used. These are all potential steps and scenarios that need to be planned for.

Tip 9: Ensure Sufficient Support for Your B2B Project

Sometimes software does not perform as planned. This affects both you as an administrator and your customers or visitors as regular users. In such cases, you should have fast, reliable, and secure support available. This support must be well-versed in the software. If you develop the platform yourself, ensure that new employees or, if necessary, successors to the programmer are properly trained. This will ensure that even after an employee leaves your company, qualified support remains available. If the platform was developed by an agency, you should have some employees trained by them in the system and support. This also applies if the agency takes over support. After all, you never know what might happen. Perhaps the expert may not be available at times, or the agency might not exist in a few years. Be prepared!

Tip 10: Ensure the Release of Updates

Problems with software typically only become apparent after it has been used live by users and administrators for some time. In such cases, the developer – whether that is you or the agency – must resolve these issues with a patch. Perhaps security vulnerabilities need to be closed or new features added. In any case, an update must be developed. Therefore, ensure that the software is update-friendly and that you have a team with the necessary personnel to handle these tasks.

Conclusion and Summary