As a B2B ecommerce merchant, you know how important it is to stay ahead of the competition. The industry is changing so quickly with new technology and the expectations of younger B2B buyers. You need to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience for your customers, optimize your site for search engines, and continually improve your operations to stay efficient and profitable. But accomplishing all of this can be challenging. Particularly if you don’t have a dedicated in-house team of developers. This is where a retainer agreement with an ecommerce agency can come in handy.
A retainer agreement is a contract between a merchant and an ecommerce agency that provides ongoing support and services for a fixed fee. With a retainer agreement, you can have a team of experts at your disposal, ready to help you with any issues or challenges that arise. As well as helping to keep your online store up to date with the latest technology.
But why is it so important for B2B ecommerce merchants to keep an agency on retainer? Let’s take a closer look.
Dedicated, Ongoing Support
One of the biggest advantages of having an ecommerce agency on retainer is the dedicated resources it provides. Working with the same agency on an ongoing basis means you’ll have a team of experts who are familiar with your business and goals. It also means you don’t have to scramble to find help when something goes wrong. The agency team will be ready to provide the support you need, when you need it.
Continual Optimization and Improvement
Another benefit of a retainer agreement is the ability to continually optimize and improve your ecommerce operations. With an agency on retainer, you’ll have access to experts who can help you identify areas for improvement, such as site performance, user experience, and conversion rates. By continually improving your ecommerce operations, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the competition and provide a better experience for your customers.
Access to Specialized Expertise and Skills
A retainer agreement provides access to specialized web development expertise and skills that you may not have in-house. For instance, you may require specialized skills such as back-end development, custom tool development, or UX/UI design. Instead of hiring an in-house expert or training up one of your team just for one project, with an agency on retainer, you’ll have access to a team of experts who can provide these services.
Relationships with Technology Partners
Having an ecommerce agency on retainer means that you’ll not only have access to their expertise and specialized skills, but also to their network of technology partners. This network can provide significant advantages, such as access to the latest specialist B2B tools and technologies, faster implementation of new solutions, and preferred pricing for software and services. By working with an agency with a strong network of technology partners, you can stay ahead of your competition by continually improving your website’s functionality and user experience. Ultimately driving higher traffic, conversions and revenue for your B2B ecommerce business.
Consistent Branding and Messaging Across All Channels
Maintaining a strong brand identity across channels is crucial for B2B ecommerce merchants. Working consistently with the same team from the same agency means they already know your brand identity and requirements for each new project, saving time and money during the project brief. Your agency can ensure a consistent web development approach, UX design, and branding across all channels . This will help you maintain a strong and recognizable web presence, build trust with your customers, and differentiate your brand from competitors.
Prevent Issues Before They Happen
Stop issues before they even happen. A retainer agreement with a specialized web development agency means you will have experts ensuring your ecommerce website is regularly monitored and updated. They will also ensure the tools integrated into your store are up-to-date and connected correctly. This will give you peace of mind, knowing you’ll avoid downtime and revenue loss due to avoidable technical issues. While also keeping your website up-to-date, secure, and functioning optimally.
Cost-Effective Compared to Hiring a Full-Time Team
Finally, a retainer agreement can be a cost-effective option compared to hiring a full-time team. Hiring a full-time in-house team of developers and specialists can be expensive. It’s simply not feasible for smaller businesses. With an ecommerce agency on retainer, you can get the support you need as and when you need it. Without breaking the bank.
How can Calashock help?Â
So, in conclusion, a retainer agreement with an ecommerce agency, like Calashock Commerce, can be a valuable investment for B2B ecommerce merchants. With a dedicated team of experts at your disposal, you can continually improve your ecommerce operations, maintain a strong brand identity, and stay ahead of the competition.
At Calashock we have been building beautiful and intuitive ecommerce websites that boost sales and maximise ROI since 2009. Our expert team understand the complex and unique requirements of B2B merchants. We specialise in creating bespoke solutions for even the most intricate or unusual business needs. So if you haven’t already, get in touch to discuss your ecommerce needs and see how we can help.
