..More and more importers in the US and around the world are using B2B (business to business) portal websites to look for and buy their products. The percentage of all goods purchased from foreign exporters by American importers through B2B websites increases and decreases according to the global business climate. But one thing is for sure, these sites play a very important role in how US importers find suppliers.
What They Are
B2B portal websites are online business information exchange websites where the seller or buyer can search or post information to attract potential trade partners.
The CD Database List of US Importers and Buying Agents has a List of the Top 152 B2B Websites Used by Importers in the US and Worldwide to Buy Their Products. We asked importers in the US and several other countries what B2B websites they used to buy their products. Their top choices are on this list.
Soon the majority of all international buying will be done over the internet. Using B2B websites is easy, quick, effective, and the costs are very low.
How They Work
You can search for buyers on the B2B sites by doing the following:
1. Register with that site. Some sites are free, others charge a fee.
2. Put your information into your profile, including products you have to sell.
3. Click on the button that will find buyers for the products you entered.
A list of buyers for the products that you have listed will come on your computer screen. These are buyers who have also registered with the same site. To send your quotation to any of the buyers on the list, click on the button that says “Contact”. A message will be sent to that buyer notifying them that you have the product they are looking for and would like to discuss the possibility of doing business together.
If you are interested in buying products, the process is similar.
1. Register with that site.
2. Put your information into your profile, including products you want to buy.
3. Click on the button that will find suppliers for the products you entered.
A list of suppliers for the products that you have listed will come on your computer screen. These are suppliers who have also registered with the same site. To send your request for a quotation to any of the suppliers on the list, click on the button that says “Contact”. A message will be sent to that suppliers notifying them that you are looking for the product they have and would like to discuss the possibility of doing business together.
The Disadvantages of B2B websites
There are some serious disadvantages to B2B portal websites that every sell and buyer should know. The advantages, disadvantages and what special precautions should be taken are discussed in detail in the Guide to Successful Marketing and Selling To US Importers.
For one, there is no face-to-face contact that is so important for buyers and sellers. There is something about knowing the person that is selling you the product or is buying your product. This is lost in B2B transactions.
In addition the level of fraud, theft and scams in higher when doing business on B2B web sites. Most of the companies buying and selling on B2B portal web sites are honest and sincere about doing business. But there are those “companies” on B2B sites that are there purely to cheat others. Buyers and sellers must use much more cautious with a supplier or customer that they meet on a B2B site than someone that they might have met at a trade show.
