B2B and DTC business models are taking centre stage in a time when digital commerce is reigning supreme. For your understanding, B2B generally focuses transactions between businesses, on the other hand, DTC models help brands communicate directly to the consumers of the products or services.
Yes, these businesses cater to the needs of different audiences, however, they share a common challenge and that is managing vast amounts of product and customer data. That’s why these business models require a robust and flexible product data management system or PIM (product information management).
Why is this important? PIM helps businesses efficiently manage their product data, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience, whether they’re dealing with other businesses or directly with consumers.
So, what exactly is PIM? Check out our next sections and you will understand the concept of PIM and details related to it so you can make an informed decision.
What is PIM?
A Product Information Management solution serves as a central hub where you can store, manage and distribute your product data altogether. It becomes a necessity especially when your business wants to maintain high-quality, consistent information, whether for internal operations or external channels.
As digital transformation accelerates and sales avenues are expanding like never before, PIM solutions make sure everything is connected seamlessly and that data remains reliable across different platforms.
You might also want to read 🡪 Evolution of Product Information Management: Past, Present, and Future
Key Capabilities of PIM Solutions Include:
- Enhancing product data quality across channels
- Monitoring product completion status
- Managing product relationships
- Gathering data from various sources
- Centralising distributed data
- Prioritising data sources
- Translating product details into different languages
- Associating images and media with products
- Creating custom product feeds
- Generating and improving product documentation
- Evaluating product performance
How PIM Transforms B2B and DTC Operations?
According to a report, 70% of business buyers expect “Amazon-like buying experiences,” and 67% have switched vendors for a more consumer-friendly experience. Above that, 67% of those buyers have already switched vendors to get a more consumer-driven experience.
Today, every customer is on the lookout for an experience that makes them keep coming back. So, both B2B & DTC companies need to have a hold of top-notch product information so they can offer compelling and rememberable experiences to each of its customers at every customer touchpoint.
PIM for B2B Merchants
Running a B2B business makes you familiar with the fact that you are going to face several challenges regarding product information management across different channels. A robust PIM solution can be of great value so you can ensure that the product is always accessible to the customers across all the channels, whether they are browsing your B2B commerce sites, engaging with distributors, or shopping on third-party marketplaces.
Omnichannel Product Experiences: PIM allows B2B sellers to provide a consistent service across multiple channels, from mobile to desktop websites. It helps merchants to tailor their product catalogues for different platforms ensuring that product information always matches the customer’s experience.
Cross-Border eCommerce Growth: With international sales expected to make up to 20% of eCommerce, PIM solutions support multilingual product management, considering local dialects, sizing, and cultural nuances.
Onboarding Product Data: Businesses may retain accurate and comprehensive product information by using a reliable PIM to streamline the process of obtaining product data from suppliers. Why is this helpful? In other words, it lessens the possibility that buyers may back out of a transaction because of inaccurate, missing, or insufficient product information.
Streamlining Catalogue Management: PIM centralises your product information, which makes catalogue management more efficient. With advanced features like bulk editing and validation workflows, PIM boosts team productivity and makes sure that your product data is thorough and updated.
PIM for DTC Merchants
PIM for DTC businesses is essential especially when they are trying to establish a strong online presence and sell directly to consumers. By providing accurate, engaging, and consistent product information across digital platforms, PIM enables brands to stand out in the crowded eCommerce space.
Get Online: PIM supports your digital transformation by helping DTC brands connect with consumers on various online shopping platforms. With accurate and standardized product information, PIM helps you make a lasting impression in the digital space.
Move Faster: For DTC brands, agility is everything. PIM enables teams to quickly update product catalogues, add new product attributes, and push updates across sales channels. This speeds up your time-to-market, helping you stay relevant and competitive.
Control Product Experience: In today’s omnichannel landscape, PIM enables DTC merchants to manage product descriptions, digital assets, and customer interactions across different touchpoints. This creates a cohesive and personalized customer journey, no matter where or how customers engage with your brand.
Work Smarter: Having accurate data is essential for building trust with your customers. PIM systems ensure data integrity by using automated workflows and validation checks, making it easier for DTC brands to keep their product information accurate, consistent, and up-to-date while speeding up the process of enriching that data.
Conclusion
A robust PIM system is a valuable tool for both B2B and DTC companies. By centralizing product data, streamlining operations, and improving customer experience, PIM helps businesses tackle the challenges of today’s complex commerce landscape.
Whether your goal is to enhance internal workflows or create a seamless online shopping experience, a PIM solution can be a game-changer for your business.