4 LBM Ecommerce Features That Will Drive Customer Adoption

In an increasingly digital world, businesses across industries are recognizing the importance of embracing ecommerce to meet customer demands and stay competitive. However, for lumber and building materials (LBM) dealers, the transition to ecommerce hasn't always been smooth sailing.

While many of these businesses have set up their ecommerce websites, there's often a critical gap between the website's existence and its actual usage by customers. This challenge poses an intriguing question: how can LBM dealers bridge the gap and encourage customer adoption of their ecommerce platforms?

This blog post delves into the heart of the issue and presents four essential features that can transform customer engagement on LBM ecommerce websites.

These features are not just hypothetical ideas; they're the cornerstone of Spruce eCommerce, a platform designed specifically for LBM businesses, directly connected to Spruce. Let's explore these features and how they can revolutionize the customer experience.

1. ERP connectivity: a seamless shopping experience

One of the biggest barriers to customer adoption of LBM ecommerce platforms is the lack of transparency regarding inventory and pricing.

Spruce eCommerce addresses this challenge head-on by establishing a strong connection between the ecommerce platform and the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. This integration ensures that customers have real-time visibility into inventory counts, allowing them to identify which products are in stock and which are on backorder.

But that's not all – customers are granted access to their personalized contract pricing rather than being presented with generic list prices. This level of customization empowers customers to make informed decisions based on their unique pricing agreements.

Furthermore, the ecommerce platform offers a comprehensive view of customers' order history, regardless of whether the order was placed online or offline. This holistic approach enhances customer trust and provides a streamlined shopping experience.

2. Account access: empowering procurement managers and CEOs

Procurement managers and CEOs often find themselves juggling various tasks and responsibilities, and anything that can simplify their workflow is a welcome addition.

The account access feature of Spruce eCommerce serves as a valuable tool for these professionals. By granting them access to a centralized account dashboard, this feature allows them to view invoices and statements conveniently in one place.

With this unified view, procurement managers and CEOs can effortlessly keep track of their order history, invoices, and payment status. This saves time and reduces the risk of oversight or errors in financial transactions.

Additionally, the ability to manage statements within the dashboard adds another layer of efficiency to their workflow, ensuring that their financial records are up-to-date and accurate.

3. Restricted user access: tailored shopping experience

Every customer has unique preferences, needs, and roles within their organization. The restricted user access feature of Spruce eCommerce acknowledges this diversity and tailors the shopping experience accordingly.

By offering personalized product recommendations, pricing, and information, this feature streamlines the buying process for each customer.

Executives also benefit from this feature by having the ability to control the information accessible to different employees within their organization.

This is particularly valuable for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality. This feature fosters trust and customer loyalty by offering a customized experience while respecting privacy concerns.

4. Quote builder: streamlining project management

For contractor customers, managing projects efficiently is of paramount importance. The quote builder feature offered by Spruce eCommerce simplifies the process by extending free quoting software to these customers.

Contractors can use the ecommerce platform to create detailed quotes, incorporating product costs, margins, taxes, and even labor expenses.

What sets this feature apart is the seamless branding and communication capabilities. Contractors can brand the quotes and send them directly from their ecommerce dashboard to their clients.

Clients receive the quotes via email and can accept or reject them with a single click. Upon acceptance, the contractor can effortlessly transfer the quoted items to their cart, proceed to checkout, and confidently embark on their new project.

Elevating the customer experience

The challenges faced by LBM dealers in driving customer adoption of their ecommerce platforms are real, but they are not insurmountable.

Spruce eCommerce stands as a beacon of innovation, offering four essential features that transform the way these businesses engage with their customers.

From ERP connectivity to personalized account access, restricted user capabilities, and a revolutionary quote builder, these features address pain points and elevate the customer experience.

Spruce eCommerce was purpose-built for LBM businesses, addressing their unique needs and challenges. By harnessing the power of these features, these businesses can not only encourage customer adoption of their ecommerce platforms but also foster lasting relationships and drive growth in the digital landscape.

The era of LBM ecommerce has arrived, and with Spruce eCommerce leading the way, the future is ripe with opportunities for success.

If you enjoyed this post, check out other blogs here:

• Where Do I Begin? How to Digitalize Your LBM and Hardware Business
• 3 Advantages of Ecommerce You Should Be Paying Attention To
• Why Ecommerce is Crucial for LBM Retailers in 2023