the startups.com platform about startups.comCheck out the new Startups.com - A Comprehensive Startup University
Education
Planning
Mentors
Funding
Customers
Assistants
Clarity
Categories
Business
Sales & Marketing
Funding
Product & Design
Technology
Skills & Management
Industries
Other
Business
Career Advice
Branding
Financial Consulting
Customer Engagement
Strategy
Sectors
Getting Started
Human Resources
Business Development
Legal
Other
Sales & Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Search Engine Optimization
Public Relations
Branding
Publishing
Inbound Marketing
Email Marketing
Copywriting
Growth Strategy
Search Engine Marketing
Sales & Lead Generation
Advertising
Other
Funding
Crowdfunding
Kickstarter
Venture Capital
Finance
Bootstrapping
Nonprofit
Other
Product & Design
Identity
User Experience
Lean Startup
Product Management
Metrics & Analytics
Other
Technology
WordPress
Software Development
Mobile
Ruby
CRM
Innovation
Cloud
Other
Skills & Management
Productivity
Entrepreneurship
Public Speaking
Leadership
Coaching
Other
Industries
SaaS
E-commerce
Education
Real Estate
Restaurant & Retail
Marketplaces
Nonprofit
Other
Dashboard
Browse Search
Answers
Calls
Inbox
Sign Up Log In

Loading...

Share Answer

Menu
B2B eCommerce: Which B2B business model to follow?
SP
SP
Stuart Prestedge, Software startup advisor, mentor & coach answered:

Hi,

Each of these two has pros and cons.

1) Why would suppliers take the time to do this unless you can guarantee them sales? If you go this route, your solution requires more complexity (UI for suppliers etc.) but means you will be more scalable.

20 This is a big burden on you but you are not relying on suppliers.

Is there a way you can automate the listing of product from integration with suppliers' systems?

Your customers don't care about your back-office processes - only what products you offer and your quality of service.

Also, how your products are listed on your site (manual entry from you, the supplier, auto entry by an integration etc.) is separate from how you make the purchase (indirectly as you suggest or directly from the supplier's systems.

Happy to have a call to discuss technical options which can then be considered and researched which best meet business requirements.

Kind regards
Stuart

Talk to Stuart Upvote • Share
•••
Share Report

Answer URL

Share Question

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Google+
  • Share by email
About
  • How it Works
  • Success Stories
Experts
  • Become an Expert
  • Find an Expert
Answers
  • Ask a Question
  • Recent Answers
Support
  • Help
  • Terms of Service
Follow

the startups.com platform

Startups Education
Startup Planning
Access Mentors
Secure Funding
Reach Customers
Virtual Assistants

Copyright © 2025 Startups.com. All rights reserved.