Feedback request on a new B2B computer site

[ctoumi]

Hi guys,

We are working on a new ecommerce site which will supply in excess of 25K IT goods to businesses at reasonable prices.

My partner and I are specialised in software and hardware with more than 20 yrs professional experience combined in addition to our postgrad studies, and we feel we have more to offer than just competing on the price or free deliveries.
As most of you are SMEs I was just wondering what kind of services to add to this type of platform to make it a success for both the buyer and seller.

Any feedback or suggestions would be highly appreciated - Or even better if you could list what an SME wants and doesnt want from such an IT site.

Look forward to your replies - Many thanks

 

[Senington]

Your customer service should be consistently excellent and you should always be available for enquiries and other issues. This will set you apart from the bigger IT companies who outsource customer service and charge to take calls.

 

[akirk]

cheaper than Amazon / Scan / Dabs / etc.
Items in stock
Free next day delivery
Customer service as excellent as the above
Returns service as excellent as the above
As good a website...

Dabs was I think the cheapest website at c. £500,000 some years ago...
not a cheap venture...

Alasdair

 

[RemoteTechs]

All of the above and a reliable and steady flow of products, we personally hate having to change our product line due to unreliable suppliers !
An easy to use checkout system, some form of transport tracking online is also very helpful.
Ebuyer, have invested a lot of cash, but they are one of the best for an easy to navigate site and they have a large selection.

 

[Senington]

I don't think that a smaller start up company would be able to compete with Amazon's prices. Try offering add-on services and other benefits that Amazon cannot offer.

 

[ctoumi]

Thank you all for the feedback.

Free next day delivery - possible on light items.
Customer Service - will be excellent especially when dealing with biz clients.
Returns - very unlickly as this is going to be a B2B, unless it is our mistake - hence the whole point in dealing with businesses only.
Website - should be a good fluid ecommerce script with many useful features such as configurators, comparison (more than 4 or 5 items), filtering, well ordered IT catalogue...etc.
Product availability - there shoud be a live stock update.

Plus: UNBIASED advice such as ..
What is the best AntiVirus software?...
What is the cheapest way of licencing systems?...
The hidden tricks behind the Microsoft oems software wrt to retails...
How to avoid getting ripped off when buying IT ...
Open Source vs commercial software...
How to avoid risky online sites....
How to avoid eBay cowboy sellers and dodgy products...
How to distinguish between fake and genuine software applications...
to name a few ...etc...
In fact customer forum will be made available to discuss any issues, similar to this forum...

 

[nightmare99]

Returns - very unlickly as this is going to be a B2B, unless it is our mistake - hence the whole point in dealing with businesses only.

I don't get this, how are you going to deal with RMAs of faulty equipment?

 

[ctoumi]

I meant because we will be dealing with businesses, the returns will be minimal compared to end users. Of course any RMAs or faulty goods will be dealt with swiftly and professionally. Business people are well informed buyers, while many end users order IT goods without proper technical knowledge and this results in excessive returns, which leads to unnecessary expenses and complications to both parties, ie. impulsive consumers.
Also we will not have to compete with unfair tax free or extra-EU competitors such as play(dot)com; as our prices will be displayed ex VAT.

 

[nightmare99]

Ok fair enough then, I will echo what others have already said and suggest you make sure you have something to set yourself apart from the other hundreds of websites/compaines that drop ship from a broadliner. Remember anybody can pay £50 and get a ready made webshop from somebody like Ingram and start offereing 20k products for next day delivery but you will need to engage your target customers if you want them to choose you over somebody else.

 

[alexlowe]

Are you offering maintenance/support with the hardware?

 

[ctoumi]

Yes exactly Nightmare99, not just a dropshipping operation but a professionally accompanied purchasing platform.
As for the hardware and software support, we are still working on the format although a free 30 day support should be likely, however free consultancy and training cannot be offered free but at reasonable rates.
Again any feedback on the services likely to be needed by SMEs would be very welcomed.