B2B – selling to other businesses

B2B – selling to other businesses
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23 March 2006

B2B, the shorthand for business-to-business, takes many forms but in the final distillation is the exchange of products, services, or information between businesses.

Traditionally seen as a sales channel to consumers, the Internet is now far more than before becoming a trading platform for manufacturers and suppliers to sell their products and services to other businesses. Not only that, the web has also become a cheap and wide-reaching place to post invitations to tender for goods and services. In fact, some are predicting that B2B will in time overtake online retailing to consumers.

As a communications medium, businesses know that the Internet is a fast, cost-effective way to trade. But what isn’t so universally appreciated is just how valuable a tool the Internet can be in saving money, increasing efficiency and improving communications with suppliers, trading partners and business customers.

By utilizing the growing band of B2B web sites, companies can:

  • post invitations to tender for work
  • get information on contracts being put out to let
  • combine their ordering clout to obtain discounted goods and services
  • trade goods and services
  • keep in the loop by taking part in forum discussions
  • and exchange information and learn from others.

Working in this way enables businesses to find the best prices and increase their visibility in the market place in a way that would otherwise be difficult to achieve without substantial investment in marketing and advertising. In other words, it enables companies – including small to micro-sized enterprises - to not only to compete, but punch above their weight.

http://www.hie.co.uk/tenders.htm  - where HIE invites tenders from contractors

http://www.publictender.co.uk/ - register and be updated on public sector contracts going out to tender in the Highlands and Islands

http://www.ebizwin.co.uk/ - business intelligence and tender opportunities for engineering, construction and manufacturing companies

http://www.b2btoday.com/ - international B2B resource with dedicated B2B search directory, B2B tips and articles

http://www.dgmarket.com  - receive free tender alerts for the UK and worldwide

http://www.tendersdirect.co.uk/   - subscription lead generation service that matches a company’s profile to EU, UK government and public sector contracts