In the constantly evolving business landscape, the traditionally physical construction sector is undergoing a transformative shift toward technology and commerce. This transformation questions the role of Ecommerce in construction industry, particularly in the business-to-business (B2B) domain. As technological advancements reshape industries, even traditionally hands-on sectors are exploring the benefits of wholesale B2B Ecommerce.
The question is: What role does Ecommerce has in construction industry?
Adapting to the Evolving World
As a construction business owner, you might wonder why you should embrace online selling when your traditional methods of selling building materials seem to be working well. The answer is simple: the world is evolving, and to stay relevant, businesses must evolve with it. Recent data from The B2B Future Shopper Report reveals that post-pandemic, 66% of people are spending more time online than before. This shift is mirrored in B2B transactions:
- 67% of B2B buyers start their purchase journeys online
- 71% of B2B buyers like to shop with businesses that have both physical stores and online ordering platforms
- 69% of B2B buyers said that if a supplier is digitally innovative, they are more likely to buy from them
- 68% of B2B buyers say that they will increase their use of digital shopping channels in the future
- 57% is the percentage of B2B shopping predicted to be online in 5 years’ time
- 62% of B2B buyers say that they have conducted more of their B2B buying online as a consequence of work from home (WFH)
- 49% of all B2B spending is online
In addition to that, 49% of all B2B spending is online and it’s predicted to only increase in the following years. These are not minor shifts but drastic changes that businesses cannot afford to ignore.
The Dominance of Web Stores
According to Future Shopper Report’s findings, the number one channel for product purchases is the supplier’s website and mobile site. This underscores the growing importance of online platforms in facilitating B2B transactions.
Millennial Influence in B2B Purchasing
KURVE’s recent research reveals that millennials account for a whopping 73% of B2B purchasing decisions. The static emphasises a crucial point: as time progresses, more individuals will opt for online shopping over traditional offline methods.
Gartner’s Projections
Looking ahead, Gartner predicts that 80% of B2B interactions between buyers and sellers will take place online by 2025. This is because 33% of all buyers desire a seller-free sales experience – a preference that reaches 44% for millennials. This projection underscores the inevitability of the digital shift and the need for businesses to align themselves with online platforms and start their construction Ecommerce website.
Buyer Preferences: Websites vs. Traditional Channels
Gartner Sales Survey finds 83% of B2B buyers prefer ordering and paying through digital commerce. Only 24% of B2B buyers completed a high-quality deal in sales rep-led purchases, compared to the 65% of B2B buyers who self-navigated the purchase process. This preference for online platforms is a clear indicator of the changing dynamics in B2B transactions.
Case Study: Grange Builders Providers
Grange is award-winning, family-run business, based in Baldoyle, that has been on the Irish wholesale market for over 30 years.
The company initially ventured into the online realm with a website, but their earlier efforts failed to generate substantial traffic or revenue. Recognising the need for a more effective Ecommerce solution, they made the strategic decision to switch to JustSell. Within just a year of adopting this platform, the results have been nothing short of remarkable. Grange experienced a staggering 62% growth in revenue from online sales, coupled with a noteworthy 26% increase in the number of online transactions that they had by using their previous website.
As you can see, the data speaks for itself. Ecommerce is not just a viable option for construction businesses; it’s becoming a necessity. Ecommerce is not only about staying competitive but also about future-proofing your business. Construction businesses that leverage online platforms will likely find themselves at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation, ready to navigate the evolving landscape with agility and success.
See how JustSell can help your business. Schedule a demo today to see it in action!
