When someone thinks of CRM in the eCommerce world, platforms like Klaviyo and Yotpo easily come to mind. Email marketing to keep an audience in the loop or a loyalty app to keep customers coming back for more.

But all of these implementations are more commonly associated with B2C brands. So what does CRM look like in the B2B universe? For some, it means face-to-face interactions with dedicated sales reps, consulting spreadsheets to provide stock information, and lots of phone calls.

So how can B2B merchants get themselves up-to-date with their B2C friends? In this blog, we’ll explore the three tools we use to create the ultimate wholesale CRM solution.

‍The SparkLayer Revolution

So you’re a Shopify merchant who wants to start taking B2B orders - what are your options? Shopify B2B, as part of Shopify Plus, is a great solution, allowing you to leverage the very best of the Shopify platform while catering to a wholesale audience. However, the decision to move to Plus can take time and involves a lot of different business factors. So what do you do if you’re not quite ready for Plus yet? 

SparkLayer is the answer. This powerful Shopify integration has become an essential part of our arsenal, enabling a swift and straightforward transformation of standard Shopify stores into dynamic storefronts capable of handling wholesale orders as well as B2C customers. Within a matter of days, SparkLayer can be up and running, with dedicated B2B user accounts, pricing, stock information and more. 

SparkLayer's value extends beyond its ease of implementation; it’s also fundamentally changed how B2B merchants manage and cultivate their customer relationships. It’s helping to drive the shift away from traditional sales reps towards more automated systems that save time and money, as well as provide a much better experience for customers. 

SparkLayer is at the forefront of this transition, offering businesses a seamless method to automate and streamline their processes. But the real magic happens when SparkLayer is integrated with two other critical systems: ProspectSoft and Unleashed. Together, these technologies create a comprehensive CRM ecosystem that is both powerful and intuitive.

‍A Match Made In Heaven ProspectSoft + Unleashed 

The synergy between SparkLayer, ProspectSoft, and Unleashed is key. Unleashed's advanced inventory management capabilities provide the backbone for ProspectSoft's stock-aware functionality, enabling real-time analysis of stock levels and customer data. 

This integration facilitates the generation of actionable reports on customer engagement, quick quotes for new orders, confirmation emails, and crucial alerts for missed orders. These features empower merchants to proactively engage with their customers, reducing churn and fostering even greater customer loyalty.

ProspectSoft's ability to quickly capture enquiry details through optimised web forms directly integrated into SparkLayer enabled Shopify stores is another facet of this integrated CRM approach. This functionality not only streamlines the lead capture process but also makes it really easy to capture key data about your customers. 

Using data from these forms, as well as all the other stats that it has at its fingertips, ProspectSoft enhances your overall CRM strategy by enabling easy RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) Analysis. With just a few clicks you can generate reports that help you identify your best and worst customers, giving you a wealth of insights. 

This analysis helps businesses target the most appropriate customers at the optimal time, refining marketing efforts and personalising customer interactions. And with SparkLayer’s Klaviyo integration, merchants can automate the sending of emails to remind customers to place orders, or to offer discounts at optimal moments such as after an order has lapsed. 

‍Embracing the Future of B2B CRM

The evolution of CRM in the B2B sector is not just about adopting new technologies; it's about embracing a new way of thinking about customer relationships. As the digital marketplace continues to grow and evolve, the ability to manage relationships well online as well as offline will become increasingly vital. The integration of SparkLayer, ProspectSoft, and Unleashed offers a clear path forward for businesses ready to embrace this change, providing the tools needed to navigate the complexities of modern B2B commerce with confidence.

For brands looking to stay ahead, these powerful Shopify integrations offer a proven blueprint for success. Looking for help to get started? Get in touch with our experts.