How to build a B2B eCommerce platform

There are several ways to increase B2B eCommerce sales:

1) Consistent SEO 

Research shows that the majority of B2B marketers consider SEO as their primary source of lead generation, even more so than B2C. In this digital age, it is no surprise that over half of B2B buyers go online before they buy to research and compare. 

2) Include self-service for B2B clients

Self-service will bring in a lot of B2B sales as it will mean your B2B company is online 24/7 and a checkout does not need to be supervised, thus never missing a customer.

3) Be mobile-user friendly

The world is utilizing mobile more than ever, even B2B target markets so it is crucial your eCommerce site is just as compatible and efficient on mobile as it is desktop, thus effecting sales.

4) Do not neglect social media!

According to the Content Marketing Institute, social media sites and blogs reach eight out of ten of all Internet users in the U.S. B2B companies are not missing out on the social media craze either. B2B companies use social media to market their company, sell their goods and services, and provide quality customer service. 

5) Content, content, content

The more quality content you have, the more pull of clients you will receive, thanks to the further reach and consistency. 

6) Customer reviews

You know how you always scroll down to check the customer reviews before buying? This is because customer reviews are the voice of the people. The supposedly unbiased ‘’truth’’ of the product/service. So, numerous, positive customer reviews go a long way.

7) DXP

Personalized experience: Who does not want to feel special? When a client, B2B or not, feels directly catered to or has felt the company has had efforts to give them a thorough, genuine DXP, they will recommend your B2B company, use it again and leave reviews, increasing sales, but also loyalty and customer satisfaction. 

• Building an eCommerce Business: The Ultimate Guide

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Yes. eCommerce in Core dna is a native capability, not a plugin. That includes customer-specific and contract pricing, product catalogue management, subscription billing, multi-currency, and order management. For B2B operations specifically, RFQ workflows, account hierarchies, net payment terms. Core dna is built to handle these natively rather than requiring third-party plugins to fill the gaps.

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Yes. Buyers can raise an RFQ from the catalogue, and sales reps can build or adjust a quote against the account's negotiated price list. The quote carries the same pricing rules, customer-group logic, and contract terms the account already sits on, so the quoted price matches what the buyer sees when they log in. Approved quotes convert to an order without rekeying. Every override on a quote is logged against the account.

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Yes. Not every order has to collect payment. Core dna can run a checkout that behaves like an order, moves stock, and triggers fulfilment and approval, but takes no payment. Internal transfers, branch requisitions, sample orders, and account-billed orders run on the same engine as paid orders, with the same audit trail. You decide per customer group or per channel whether payment is collected, deferred to invoice, or skipped entirely.

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This could be your biggest challenge yet. The B2B buying process is going digital. The right platform can help improve efficiency while enabling you to run your business online. The best B2B platforms will cover everything from enforcing best practices, consolidating data, bridging the divide between buyer and seller, invoicing, ordering, and information collection.

Not sure what makes a good B2B eCommerce platform? When selecting the technology you need for your online B2B business, consider the following:

• Go with a headless or hybrid CMS/eCommerce platform. How does the software help with the order process, fulfill orders, and update the order management system?
• The platform you use should also be future-proof with multi-lingual and multiple storefront capabilities.
• Choose a system that can get you out of the hardware management business and go SaaS on the cloud.
• Can team members quickly access and operate the software?
• Find a vendor that can be as flexible as your business requires. Can you customize the software to meet your business’s needs?
• The accuracy of inventory, numbers and statistics.
• The customer’s shopping experience.

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Yes. Core dna is a native Hybrid Headless commerce platform specifically engineered to handle the scale and complexity of B2B. Unlike "pure-play" headless APIs that require you to build your own business logic, we provide a pre-integrated B2B engine. This allows you to manage 100k+ SKUs, contract-based pricing, and complex organizational hierarchies through a single API layer, while giving your marketing team a visual interface to manage content without developer help.

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At Core dna, we build the orchestration for global trade directly into the platform. We support multi-currency, multi-payment-gateway, and multi-tax-rule configurations natively across every regional storefront.

• Tax: Our engine manages complex tax jurisdictions (VAT, GST, Sales Tax) and integrates seamlessly with services like Avalara.
• Shipping: We support native split-shipping and multi-source fulfillment logic, allowing you to route B2B orders from different warehouses or depots based on regional proximity and custom shipping rules.

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Core dna is built as a unified content and commerce platform, which allows organizations to manage both B2B and B2C experiences from a single system. 

Companies can run distributor portals with contract pricing, account-based catalogs, and quote workflows, while also operating direct-to-consumer storefronts. Because product data, pricing logic, and customer accounts are managed centrally, teams avoid maintaining separate platforms for wholesale and retail channels. 

This approach makes it easier to support hybrid business models where manufacturers sell through distributors while also offering direct online sales.

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Core dna allows companies to create self-service portals where customers can log in, view account-specific pricing, reorder products, and manage their purchasing activity.

 These portals reduce manual sales processes by allowing buyers to place orders, access invoices, and track order history directly online. This improves efficiency for both customers and internal sales teams.

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Core dna uses customer-group pricing. The same product carries a different price for each group, set by price list or discount rule, and resolves automatically when a buyer logs in. Products a group should not see are hidden from that group, so one catalog serves every audience.

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Yes. Core dna runs B2B and B2C on the same platform, and each customer group gets its own pricing, payment options, and checkout. V-ZUG runs three groups this way: internal technicians on stock transfers, external agents on trade pricing, and a service team selling to end customers at retail.

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Yes. Core dna is designed to run B2B wholesale portals and D2C consumer storefronts from a single instance. Each channel has its own pricing, catalog access, checkout experience, and branding, but they share the same product data, content team, and admin. This is the core use case Core dna was built for manufacturers who need a consumer channel without walking away from their wholesale and distribution operation.

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Core dna provides a structured catalogue system that integrates directly with your ERP. You can manage product data through imports, workflows, and rules, rather than manual entry. This allows teams to onboard and update products efficiently while maintaining consistency across channels.

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Core dna supports account-based pricing, group-specific pricing, and channel-level rules. You can assign different pricing to distributors, internal teams, and direct customers, all within the same system, without duplicating products or maintaining separate catalogues.

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No, Core dna does not charge transaction fees. 

In fact, we don’t believe in the concept of charging transaction fees. The sales are all yours. You’re only charged the monthly subscription fee that is based on the number of server requests you use. Check out our pricing page here. 

Core dna is an eCommerce content management system (CMS) that provides everything you need to create a beautiful, responsive online store. With core dna, there are no transaction fees – so you can keep all of your sales. 

Plus, our intuitive platform makes it simple to manage your inventory, track orders, and process payments. So if you’re looking for an eCommerce CMS that won’t eat into your profits, Core dna is the perfect solution. Contact us today to learn more.

Transparent: Our pricing is transparent with no hidden fees. Your costs grow in line with your growth. 

Ready to start: All platforms come with pre-built applications and models to kickstart your project. 

Continuous support & training: Our dedicated team will help with training, support and new innovation. 

Get started today: Get access to your sandbox to see how Core dna can help your business scale.

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Global eCommerce success depends heavily upon a strategy that’s easy to define, but hard to execute; usher in first-time buyers, and retain them as loyal customers. 

Coupons and discount codes play a significant role in making that strategy work in the long term. 

Here’s a short video showing Core dna’s coupon system in action. The video demonstrates the ease of discount code creation, waterfall discounting, and the process of excluding certain products from the discount. 

Steps to creating a discount on Core dna

There are three main stages

1. Create the discount
   1. Name your discount,
   2. Give it a description
   3. Choose whether it needs a coupon code to be invoked 
   4. Choose if it’s a Waterfall discount, i.e. if the discount can effect others
2. Create matching criterion
   1. Choose which dates, products, categories or individual user criterions should match the discount. 
3. Create action criterion
   1. Chose the action as to what happens, i.e. monetary or percentage discount, additional free item or discount on shipping

More in-depth documentation is available on our integration guide for discounts here. 

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Core dna supports governed back orders. Approved buyers can check out out-of-stock items, and the platform creates the sales order but holds release until stock checks pass. Automation moves the order forward, and a control decides when it ships.

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Most manufacturers run into problems when eCommerce is added on top of disconnected systems. Core dna unifies content, commerce, and workflows in one platform. Instead of managing multiple tools or manual processes, you operate everything from a single system connected to your ERP.

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What is a unique selling point?

A USP is a promise that answers the question, “Why should someone buy from you instead of another brand?” It's about understanding what makes your product, service and brand truly different and unique. 

What do you offer your customer that they can't find anywhere else. By defining your USP, you are able to communicate clearly the benefits and resonate with your audience. 

Effective USPs show how that unique trait translates into a tangible payoff for the end user. Basically you should be able to answer a user that says: “What’s in it for me?”

Why your brand needs a strong USP 

1. A strong USP can help you differentiate and standout in a noisy world. When you can formulate your USP clearly, you create your blue ocean and a new market that is distinctly yours.
2. When you value proposition is strong, it make it easier for online visitors to convert. When your USP is front-and-center, it decreases confusion and helps potential buyers act with confidence.
3. A well-defined USP anchors your entire brand communication. Every ad, landing page, or pitch can revolve around this key differentiator.
4. A compelling USP often justifies premium pricing or fosters loyalty, because customers view what you offer as one-of-a-kind.

Common Challenges Brands Face When Defining a USP

Why brands often struggle to communicate their core value effectively?

1. Unclear Value Proposition
   • Many websites bury their real message under jargon or flashy design. Users leave feeling unsure about what the business actually does.
   • Marketers sometimes focus too heavily on features, forgetting to express tangible value or how they solve specific problems.
2. Attempting to Be Everything to Everyone
   • Companies fear narrowing their focus, thinking they might miss potential customers.
   • Result: broad, watered-down messaging that doesn’t resonate strongly with any particular audience.
3. Confusion Between UVP and USP
   • Brands conflate “Value Proposition” (customer-centric) with “Selling Point” (product-centric).
   • Without clarity, they end up with vague statements that address neither the product’s unique features nor the customer’s exact needs.
4. Ignoring the Customer’s Perspective
   • Some businesses talk only about their achievements, technology, or self-perceived greatness.
   • They forget to explain which problem they solve and why that matters to the end user.

USP vs. UVP: Is There a Difference?

Unique Selling Point (USP):

• Product-Centric: Focuses on a singular attribute that makes the product or service unique.
• Competitive Advantage: Often highlights a feature, technology, or method that’s exclusive to you.
• Selling Proposition: Communicates how you outdo others in the marketplace.

Unique Value Proposition (UVP):

• Customer-Centric: Emphasizes what the user gains (i.e., how their life improves).
• Benefit-Oriented: Addresses practical or emotional advantages from the user’s perspective.
• Value Proposition: Usually more holistic, describing the overall experience or outcome the customer receives.

In Practice:
A USP can be part of a bigger UVP. For instance, your USP might be “fastest beard trimmer blades,” while your UVP might be “Look and feel your best in minutes—every day.” The USP explains why it’s uniquely better, and the UVP explains the value a customer gains.

Crafting an Effective USP

1. Pinpoint the Core Difference
   • Start by listing all your product’s distinguishing features. Is there a patented mechanism, a specialized process, or a unique guarantee?
   • Choose the one that truly matters most to your target audience.
2. Translate Features into Benefits
   • Don’t stop at “We have the sharpest blades.” Ask: How do sharp blades benefit the user? Maybe it’s a “clean shave in half the time” or “no skin irritation.”
3. Validate with Real Feedback
   • Ask actual customers or do user testing to see if your perceived uniqueness resonates in real-world scenarios.
   • A difference you consider noteworthy might be trivial to buyers—or vice versa.
4. Keep It Concise
   • A USP often works best as a short, punchy line (one or two sentences) that can appear on your homepage, packaging, or elevator pitch.
   • Avoid heavy jargon; aim for language your audience understands immediately.
5. Weave It Across Channels
   • Integrate the USP consistently into your website’s hero section, ad campaigns, and sales decks.
   • Ensure everyone from your marketing team to your customer support knows and reiterates the USP.

Examples of Clear USPs

• Domino’s Pizza: “You get fresh, hot pizza delivered to your door in 30 minutes or less—or it’s free.”
  • (Highlighting speed, guaranteed timeframe.)
• FedEx: “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.”
  • (Emphasizing reliability and speed.)
• Dyson Vacuums: “No loss of suction.”
  • (Pinpointing a specific, exclusive technology advantage.)
• Slack: “Make work simpler, more pleasant, and more productive.”
  • (Although slightly broader, it’s still a distinct promise focusing on how Slack stands out from other work communication tools.)

Common Mistakes in Defining a USP

1. Being Too Vague
   • “We deliver quality and excellence.” That’s not unique—everyone claims quality.
   • Instead, specify your unique form of “excellence” (e.g., delivering to remote locations overnight or a lifetime warranty no one else provides).
2. Overloading with Jargon
   • Technical or corporate-speak can dilute clarity. Keep the language straightforward enough that a new visitor instantly “gets it.”
3. Ignoring the Competition
   • If your competitor also does free 2-day shipping, that’s not unique. You need an angle that’s truly distinctive.
   • Do competitive research to ensure you’re highlighting something that sets you apart.
4. Failing to Integrate
   • Even a brilliant USP won’t help if it’s hidden or inconsistently referenced.
   • Place it front and center in your main messaging, and ensure all channels reflect it.
5. Choosing an Unimportant Differentiator
   • If you tout a minor detail that doesn’t impact buyer decisions, your USP will fall flat.
   • Focus on what your audience really cares about: time savings, cost, innovation, reliability, or specific solutions to their problems.

How to Refine (or Rediscover) Your USP

1. Ask Your Existing Customers
   • Send surveys or conduct interviews: “What made you choose us over other options?”
   • Their answers reveal real-life perceptions of your uniqueness.
2. Leverage Competitive Analysis
   • Identify competitor messaging and USPs.
   • Determine what gap or angle you alone can fill.
3. Test Multiple Variations
   • Use A/B testing on landing pages or ads to see which USP resonates best in terms of clicks or conversions.
4. Align with Corporate Goals
   • If your strategic focus is innovation, ensure your USP highlights how you’re pioneering a new approach.
   • If sustainability is your anchor, your USP might revolve around eco-friendly practices that no one else matches.
5. Evolve Over Time
   • Markets, technologies, and consumer needs change. Update your USP when those shifts occur so you remain relevant.

A well-defined Unique Selling Point is critical in helping potential customers understand why they should engage with you—and it can stop them from walking away to a competitor that shouts their differentiation more clearly. In an environment where many businesses “aren’t sure what they do” or fail to communicate it effectively  a strong USP stands out as a beacon of clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions about Unique Selling Points

How is a USP different from a slogan or tagline?

While a slogan or tagline might express a USP in a memorable way, they're not the same thing. A USP is the fundamental differentiation strategy that underlies your business, while a slogan is a creative expression designed for brand recall. Many successful slogans directly communicate the USP (like M&M's "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands"), but the USP itself is the strategic concept behind the creative execution.

Can a company have multiple USPs?

While a business might have several competitive advantages, focusing on a single, powerful USP typically creates the strongest market position. Multiple USPs can dilute messaging and confuse customers. However, different product lines within the same company might have different USPs targeting specific market segments.

How often should a USP be updated?

USPs should evolve as markets change, competitors emerge, and customer needs shift. However, dramatic or frequent changes can confuse customers and erode brand equity. Most successful companies maintain their core USP for years or decades, making incremental adjustments rather than wholesale changes. According to marketing research firm IPSOS, brands that maintain consistent positioning while making tactical adjustments outperform those that frequently pivot by nearly 2:1.

Can small businesses compete with a USP against larger competitors?

Absolutely. In fact, a sharp, focused USP often allows small businesses to carve out profitable niches that larger competitors overlook or can't efficiently serve. Many successful small businesses have USPs centered on personalized service, local expertise, specialized knowledge, or catering to underserved market segments that larger companies find unprofitable.

How do I know if my USP is effective?

An effective USP typically shows measurable impact on key performance indicators like conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, repeat purchase rates, and willingness to pay. Customer research can also reveal if your target audience recognizes and values your claimed differentiation. If customers can easily articulate what makes your business unique and valuable, your USP is likely working.

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