Builders Merchants Ecommerce Growth UK

Rising demand for online building materials

The UK has seen a significant shift in how building materials are purchased. With the rise of e-commerce, builders merchants have had to adapt to meet the growing demand for online shopping. This shift has been driven by the convenience and efficiency that online platforms offer. Builders and contractors no longer need to visit physical stores to get the materials they need. Instead, they can order everything online and have it delivered directly to their site.

This change has been particularly beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic, where social distancing measures and lockdowns made it difficult for people to visit stores. The team at iWeb has observed a surge in online orders for building materials, highlighting the importance of having a robust e-commerce platform. Our expert solution architects have been instrumental in helping builders merchants transition to online sales, ensuring they can meet the needs of their customers.

Technological advancements driving growth

Technological advancements have played a crucial role in the growth of e-commerce for builders merchants. Platforms like Adobe Commerce have provided the tools needed to create seamless online shopping experiences. iWeb’s 30 years of e-commerce experience have shown that integrating advanced technologies can significantly enhance the customer experience.

For instance, the integration with Akeneo PIM has allowed builders merchants to manage their product information more effectively. This ensures that customers have access to accurate and up-to-date information, which is crucial when purchasing building materials. Our talented team at iWeb has also leveraged Adobe Experience Manager and Adobe Analytics to provide insights into customer behaviour, helping merchants tailor their offerings to meet customer needs.

Impact of mobile commerce

Mobile commerce has become a significant driver of e-commerce growth for builders merchants. With more people using their smartphones to shop online, it’s essential for merchants to have mobile-friendly websites. iWeb – an enterprise e-commerce agency, has been at the forefront of developing responsive websites that provide a seamless shopping experience on mobile devices.

Our talented in-house team has also implemented Progressive Web Apps (PWA) to enhance the mobile shopping experience. PWAs offer the benefits of both web and mobile apps, providing a fast and reliable user experience. This has been particularly important for builders who need to order materials on the go. By ensuring that their websites are mobile-friendly, builders merchants can cater to the needs of their customers more effectively.

Importance of customer experience

Customer experience (CX) is a critical factor in the success of e-commerce for builders merchants. A positive customer experience can lead to increased customer loyalty and repeat business. iWeb’s e-commerce expertise has shown that providing a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience is key to retaining customers.

Our expert solution architects have implemented various strategies to enhance the customer experience. For example, the use of Adobe Target and Adobe Marketo Engage allows merchants to personalise their offerings and provide targeted promotions. This ensures that customers receive relevant and timely information, enhancing their overall shopping experience. Additionally, our talented team has focused on improving website navigation and search functionality, making it easier for customers to find the products they need.

Role of digital marketing

Digital marketing has become an essential tool for builders merchants looking to grow their e-commerce presence. By leveraging digital marketing strategies, merchants can reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to their websites. iWeb – Experts in Commerce, has been helping builders merchants develop effective digital marketing campaigns that deliver results.

Our expertise and experience in e-commerce spans three decades, and we have seen the impact that targeted digital marketing can have. For instance, using Adobe Campaign and Adobe Journey Optimiser, merchants can create personalised marketing campaigns that resonate with their audience. This not only drives traffic to their websites but also increases conversion rates. Additionally, our talented team has utilised social media marketing and search engine optimisation (SEO) to enhance the online visibility of builders merchants.

Challenges and solutions

Despite the growth of e-commerce for builders merchants, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is managing a large inventory of products. Builders merchants often have thousands of products, making it difficult to keep track of everything. However, iWeb’s track record in e-commerce has shown that integrating a Product Information Management (PIM) system can help.

Our talented UK team has implemented Akeneo PIM for various builders merchants, allowing them to manage their product information more effectively. This ensures that customers have access to accurate and up-to-date information, which is crucial when purchasing building materials. Additionally, our expert solution architects have developed custom solutions to streamline the order fulfilment process, ensuring that orders are processed and delivered efficiently.

Future trends in builders merchants e-commerce

The future of e-commerce for builders merchants looks promising, with several trends set to shape the industry. One of the key trends is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These technologies can provide valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences, allowing merchants to tailor their offerings more effectively. iWeb’s e-commerce expertise has shown that integrating AI can significantly enhance the customer experience.

Another trend is the rise of omnichannel retailing. Customers expect a seamless shopping experience across all channels, whether online or in-store. Our talented team at iWeb has been helping builders merchants develop omnichannel strategies that provide a consistent and cohesive shopping experience. This includes integrating their online and offline operations, ensuring that customers can easily switch between channels.

How iWeb can help

Here at iWeb, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that builders merchants face in the e-commerce landscape. With our extensive experience and expertise, we can help you develop a robust e-commerce strategy that drives growth and enhances the customer experience. Our talented team of Adobe Commerce Specialists and Magento Developers can create custom solutions tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you need help with website development, digital marketing, or integrating advanced technologies like Akeneo PIM, we have the skills and experience to deliver results. Reach out to iWeb today to learn how we can help you transform your e-commerce operations and achieve your business goals. Contact us to get started on your digital transformation journey.