B2B? B2C? The Unique Conditions Applying To Home Improvement Ecommerce (And How To Tackle Them)

It used to be that home improvement brands were known for their elaborate, well-designed, brand-resonant brick-and-mortar outlets. Customers preferred to go to the store, look and touch the products, and then purchase them. The experience was so finely crafted and engaging that going to the store was almost like a day out.

As with everything else in life, the pandemic changed that and much of the client interaction moved online. With the growth of eCommerce and the growing purchasing power of millennial customers, home improvement brands have had to beef up their online presence. After a rocky start, the last few months have seen digital channels driving a boom in the Home Improvement space.

That said, there are pretty unique complexities to address here. The first is a fragmented customer base. These are not just B2C brands that cater to end-consumers. They are also B2B brands that cater to the professionals such as designers, architects, and contractors.

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There are primarily three categories in the home improvement market:

  • Do-It-Yourself Customers: These are customers who buy and apply the products themselves.
  • Do-It-For-Me Customers: These are customers who look for third-party service providers who provide services using the products that have been procured.
  • Professional Customers: This segment includes contractors, builders, interior designers, and renovators who may buy in bulk or based on more strategic plans.

Each of these segments is different from the others and has completely different customer journeys. The complexity involved in serving the customers of each of these segments is different too. For example, a brand might not offer customized pricing to B2C consumers, but given the large ticket size, it might consider giving a special discount to professionals. Obviously, the onus lies on the brand to support the needs of each segment.

How Digital Is Driving A Home Improvement Boom

Also, given the fantastic in-store experience that customers have been used to, brands are conscious of the need to bake consistency into the experience they provide across their online channels. This is hard because eCommerce functions differently from stores.

To address such challenges, it’s important to look at digital building blocks across 12 primary aspects. Executing powerful strategies across each of these digital building blocks will enable Home Improvement brands to convert more prospects into customers by delivering an unforgettable experience.

The 12 Digital Building Blocks For Home Improvement Brands

Store-centric eCommerce

While several brick-and-mortar brands are flirting with eCommerce options, the successful ones have successfully integrated online and offline channels to create a seamless experience for customers. This is in acknowledgment of changing consumer behavior. So, a consumer can check the availability of items, inventory, store prices, ongoing promotions, etc. for each store on the website before going to the nearby store. This way, the brand can help consumers save time and get what they need on visiting the store and purchase the items.

How Home Improvement brands can build Customer loyalty among Professionals

Product information management

Product information is crucial to simplify the searchability for consumers on the site. If a consumer cannot find the product they are looking for on the website, they are likely to abandon and visit another website. Thus, brands need to ensure that the product information is as rich as possible and designed to pre-emptively address all possible queries. This could include – detailed product information, high-resolution pictures, product reviews, etc. The objective is to enrich the product data available from the ERP with rich marketing information and attribution.

Content

The home improvement industry thrives on content. This could include ‘how-to’ articles on home improvement, explainer videos, and design guides. Brands must ensure that these content pieces are easily searchable on their website so the consumers can find both information and inspiration to work on the projects. The best content seamlessly includes embedded product information to increase the chances of purchasing the product.

7 Changes We Expect to See in the Digital Commerce World in 2022

Fulfillment models

When it comes to customer-centricity, home improvement brands need to find out ways to fulfill shipping demands on time. They also need to allow for customer convenience. This means offering options like home delivery, self-pickup, and combinations of options. However, brands must ensure that their enterprise architecture, order management, and order fulfillment capabilities are well-managed to provide full satisfaction. These brands must have the capabilities to track orders from centralized and distributed warehouses efficiently.

Beyond products –rentals and services

The best home improvement brands offer rental services that start online and get completed in the store. Others add installation services to the cart even before the checkout process is completed. To offer differentiated services to customers, eCommerce must move beyond products and provide additional services to their customers as relevant. This also offers a higher margin for these brands.

Dropship/Marketplace

Most often, home improvement brands have limited products. To expand further and to monetize the online traffic, brands can consider implementing a dropship or marketplace model. The brand will not have to manage the inventory; the shipping will also be done directly by the vendors. While this can be a good source of revenue, brands must ensure that their dropship and marketplace strategies are well-designed and there is perfect integration between the inventories and orders and fulfillment processes spanning multiple vendors.

Payment methods

B2B and B2C consumers have different ways of payment and complexities abound. For instance, according to our research, the Do-It-For-Me customers executed more big-ticket home improvement projects than the other two categories. Hence, brands must offer consumers payment flexibility. A consumer can pay using a credit card or the brand’s gift card, e-wallets. Professionals, on the other hand, can be given POs and invoices with built-in credit terms as a payment option.

Personalization

Home improvement brands can leverage AI to drive personalization. As volumes scale, AI can provide personalized product recommendations and send personalized communication such as emails and messages to both B2B and B2C consumers. This will help the brands to drive conversions and sales and earn more revenue.

Serving Pros

Professional consumers work on multiple home improvement projects in a year and hence have a higher customer lifetime value (LTV) and higher average order value (AOV). If the home improvement brand is catering to professionals, it should include value-added features such as re-ordering the previous items, quick orders, etc. They can give flexible payment options such as PO or invoice-based payments. Also, considering the high ticket value, the professionals might want to enter into a special agreement or receive special discounts on products. Brands should be well-equipped to provide such specialized discounts to retain those customers.

Customer service

In the eCommerce world, customer retention is considered one of the signal metrics. To retain customers, brands have to ensure that they provide the best customer service. From offering seamless experiences across different channels to resolving customer queries quickly, and directing the customers to FAQs, user guides, etc. brands must ensure that the right support is offered to the customers. Brands can also use chatbots for quicker and accurate query resolution.

Apps

Most consumers – be it B2B or B2C use mobile phones to search and purchase home improvement products. It is also widely believed that a consumer searching for a product on an app is far more likely to complete the purchase than one doing on a desktop. Brands must prioritize creating mobile applications to enable consumers to search, compare prices, and buy products without any bottlenecks. The objective is to eliminate friction in the buying process. Mobile apps are even more significant for professionals as they move from one customer site to another. They can easily sift through the multiple products and choose the right ones.

Digital marketing and customer analytics

Digital marketing can help home improvement brands create awareness and get more traffic to the website. Brands must create a 360-degree strategy – right from SEO, paid ads, email marketing, and other media. To ensure that the campaign generates value for customers, brands can measure the performance based on different KPIs. They can also leverage customer analytics to analyze customer behavior and gain actionable insights on improving the customer experience.

Conclusion

While these building blocks are essential for the success of home improvement brands, it is also important that the different elements be integrated in a way that consumers can benefit from it. The eCommerce portal or app should be seamlessly integrated with different applications and solutions such as CRM, order management, ERP, chatbots, etc. to offer maximum utility to consumers. The opportunities are immense, and the time is right.

Ignitiv helps home improvement brands in the design, development, and implementation of a future-ready digital platform. We have extensive experience with major brands in this segment.

  • We understand the complexities of your current enterprise architecture and identify the gaps with the final goals
  • We help you design and develop quick wins to gain organizational trust
  • We take care of all the changes in the back-end that have an impact on customer experience
  • We maintain a sharp focus on faster time to market and better returns on investment

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author: Name of Author     Date:Jun 2,2021

News Title Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency is proud to announce the addition of a new customer, United Hardware. Ignitiv will deliver to United Hardware, a state-of-the-art eCommerce solution powered by Kibo Commerce’s Unified Commerce platform. United Hardware aims to use eCommerce as a driver for, both, business growth and enhancement of customer experience. Once live in Q3 2021, the site will allow customers to get rich product information, check for availability in nearby stores and buy online to pick up in stores. Store managers will also get the flexibility to communicate their offers and promotions.

Doug Audette, CEO of United Hardware, said, “Building a modern personalized eCommerce site is a strategic push to enable our dealer stores to present a better omni-channel experience for our customers”.

Rajib Das, CEO of Ignitiv, added, “With our home improvement industry eCommerce solution built on Kibo, we are delivering, within budget and time the solution that enables United Hardware to execute on growth and customer experience”.

United Hardware Distributing Co. is a dealer-owned corporation based in Plymouth, Minnesota which provides distribution services for about 610 member-owned stores operating under the Hardware Hank trade name.

#unitedhardware #ecommerce #leadtheexperienceeconomy #ignitiv #kibocommerce

 

Coastal Construction Products Partners With Ignitiv and Kibo to Jumpstart eCommerce Growth

“With this solution, we want to establish and sustain digital leadership in the construction industry." - Tim Lavinder, Director of Digital Strategy at Coastal

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, US, May 28, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency, and Kibo, the leader in unified commerce, are announcing that Coastal Construction Products has selected Ignitiv and Kibo to jumpstart their B2B Commerce growth with Kibo’s Unified Commerce Platform. Coastal’s B2B Commerce solution will combine unified omnichannel B2C-like experiences with streamlined B2B processes. Coastal’s business customers will get personalized product information, rich associated content, real-time inventory updates, customer and job-specific pricing, and the ability to order quickly and in a streamlined manner – all leading to a superior experience.

Coastal will also benefit from a seamless integration between Kibo and Prophet21 ERP software using SimpleApps’ REST API.

Tim Lavinder, Director of Digital Strategy at Coastal, said, “With this solution, we want to establish and sustain digital leadership in the construction industry. Our goal is simple - deliver real and unique value to our customers through a tool that puts their needs first.”

“Coastal’s strategy to create unified ecommerce experiences for their customers is the best way forward in our omnichannel world, continually improving performance and process at across every customer touchpoint. We’re excited to partner with Ignitiv and Coastal as part of their integrated, data-driven approach,” said Brian Wilson, COO, Kibo.

“Great mobile-first design that optimizes the customer journey, a platform that combines Commerce, Order Management and Personalization, and comprehensive integration to ERP are the three levers we are using to build a platform for growth for Coastal Construction Products,” said Rajib Das, CEO of Ignitiv.

Coastal Construction Products is one of the largest independent distributors of caulking and sealants, waterproofing, concrete repair, and fire protection products in the United States. With roots going back 40 years, Coastal Construction Products has worked with its construction industry customers across the Southeast and the Caribbean, assisting them with quality materials and support.

About Ignitiv
Ignitiv is a full service agency that combines strategy, digital marketing, technology and customer analytics expertise to help craft integrated digital experiences that deliver more customers, more revenues and more profitability. Ignitv is the partner of choice for Home Hardware, Canada Post, United Hardware and Bi-Mart.

About Kibo Commerce

Kibo is the only extensible, unified commerce platform that delivers personalized, omnichannel experiences. The platform combines AI-driven personalization from industry leaders Monetate and Certona, omnichannel commerce for B2C and B2B models, enterprise-grade order management, and AI-driven point of sale. Global clients like Office Depot, Taco Bell, and Patagonia rely on Kibo's API-first, microservices-based architecture to support a wide range of commerce strategies, including headless commerce, that meet high growth goals and customer expectations at a manageable cost of ownership.

#ignitiv #leadtheexperienceeconomy #coastalconstruction #ecommerce #kibocommerce #unifiedcommerceplatform #prophet21

online shopping

Bi-Mart accelerate to omni-channel growth with Ignitiv and Kibo

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, US, March 1, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency, and Kibo, the leader in unified commerce, are pleased to announce the successful implementation of “buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS) at Bi-Mart.

Across its full brick-and-mortar presence, Bi-Mart can now sell its product assortment online, allowing member customers to pick up orders from either Bi-Mart or Cascade Farm and Outdoor stores. Customers may also place orders at CascadeFarmAndOutdoor.com and pick up from any Bi-Mart store they choose, adding value and convenience to their shopping experience.

Click here to Read More

#Bi-Mart #Bi-Martaccelerate #ecommerce #leadtheexperienceeconomy #ignitiv #kibocommerce

 

United Hardware to fuel eCommerce growth with Ignitiv and Kibo

Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency is proud to announce the addition of a new customer, United Hardware. Ignitiv will deliver to United Hardware, a state-of-the-art eCommerce solution powered by Kibo Commerce’s Unified Commerce platform. United Hardware aims to use eCommerce as a driver for, both, business growth and enhancement of customer experience. Once live in Q3 2021, the site will allow customers to get rich product information, check for availability in nearby stores and buy online to pick up in stores. Store managers will also get the flexibility to communicate their offers and promotions.

Doug Audette, CEO of United Hardware, said, “Building a modern personalized eCommerce site is a strategic push to enable our dealer stores to present a better omni-channel experience for our customers”.

Rajib Das, CEO of Ignitiv, added, “With our home improvement industry eCommerce solution built on Kibo, we are delivering, within budget and time the solution that enables United Hardware to execute on growth and customer experience”.

United Hardware Distributing Co. is a dealer-owned corporation based in Plymouth, Minnesota which provides distribution services for about 610 member-owned stores operating under the Hardware Hank trade name.

#unitedhardware #ecommerce #leadtheexperienceeconomy #ignitiv #kibocommerce

online shopping

Bi-Mart accelerate to omni-channel growth with Ignitiv and Kibo

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, US, March 1, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency, and Kibo, the leader in unified commerce, are pleased to announce the successful implementation of “buy online, pick up in store” (BOPIS) at Bi-Mart.

Across its full brick-and-mortar presence, Bi-Mart can now sell its product assortment online, allowing member customers to pick up orders from either Bi-Mart or Cascade Farm and Outdoor stores. Customers may also place orders at CascadeFarmAndOutdoor.com and pick up from any Bi-Mart store they choose, adding value and convenience to their shopping experience.

Click here to Read More

#Bi-Mart #Bi-Martaccelerate #ecommerce #leadtheexperienceeconomy #ignitiv #kibocommerce

b2b Kibo Partner

 

The Kibo solution will help Fortis Life Sciences maintain the customer orientation and agility it values while building scale and capacity for future customers.

CUPERTINO, CA, US, September 26, 2022 - Ignitiv, a leading eCommerce agency, and Kibo, the leader in unified commerce, are pleased to announce the successful implementation of Fortis Life Sciences’ commerce solution.

Fortis Life Sciences offers customers in the research, diagnostics, and therapeutics markets world-class reagents, tools, and materials, globally.

Fortis' business strategy is to provide its customers with the best-in-class experience and quality products. A dedicated effort to realize this core vision required Fortis to identify and implement the best commerce solution available to enable their customers a real-time search and find product discovery.

The goal was to streamline the customer's buying process by allowing purchase ordering handling and easy customer registration, seamlessly integrating into their current enterprise systems.

"With our new Kibo Commerce solution, implemented with Ignitiv's partnership, we have been able to rapidly deliver a customer-friendly ecommerce experience in support of our company's mission and vision.", said Andy Wolf, Chief Technology Officer, Fortis Life Sciences. "I thank Ignitiv and Kibo for helping us implement this scalable solution quickly."

"We greatly enjoyed working with Ignitiv to implement our modern, unified eCommerce solution at Fortis Life Sciences," said Ava Aprin, Head of Global Partnerships, Kibo. "The Kibo solution will help Fortis Life Sciences maintain the customer orientation and agility it values while building scale and capacity for future customers."

Rajib Das, CEO, Ignitiv, also said, "With this solution, Fortis now provides its customers with a frictionless buying experience and exceptional service and support across channels. We are delighted to partner with Kibo and Fortis Life Sciences to implement a state-of-the-art solution that brings significant value."

About Fortis Life Sciences

Fortis Life Sciences is a strategic platform company founded in 2020, with the mission of offering world-class products coupled with best-in-class customer experience. Over the course of the two years, the company has built a portfolio of high-quality products and brands serving attractive end markets including diagnostic, therapeutic and research discovery. Fortislife.com.

About Kibo Commerce

Kibo is the only extensible, unified commerce platform that delivers personalized, omnichannel experiences. The platform combines AI-driven personalization from industry leaders Monetate and Certona, omnichannel commerce for B2C and B2B models, enterprise-grade order management, and AI-driven point of sale. Global clients like Office Depot, Taco Bell, and Patagonia rely on Kibo's API-first, microservices-based architecture to support a wide range of commerce strategies, including headless commerce, that meet high growth goals and customer expectations at a manageable cost of ownership.

About Ignitiv

Ignitiv is a full-service agency that combines strategy, digital marketing, technology and customer analytics expertise to help craft integrated digital experiences that deliver more customers, more revenues and more profitability. Ignitiv is the partner of choice for Home Hardware, Canada Post, United Hardware, Fortis Life Sciences, and Bi-Mart.

#ignitiv #leadtheexperienceeconomy #fortislifesciences #fortisforyou #B2B #ecommerce #kibocommerce #unifiedcommerceplatform