Magento is a big name in B2B eCommerce thanks to its wide range of features and flexibility. However, when it comes to wholesale distributors, it is more like a round peg in a square hole situation. Can it work? Sometimes. Will you encounter challenges? Definitely.
Designed with retail shoppers in mind, Magento (now Adobe Commerce) often doesn't quite hit the mark for the B2B crowd. This mismatch can lead to a bunch of headaches for businesses trying to tailor this platform to their needs — from integration issues within the ERP, to unexpected development costs.
For clarity in this article and to maintain brand recognition in the industry, we will refer to Adobe Commerce as Magento, its former name. Let's take a look at some of the most common issues businesses have with Magento, and what to look for in a platform instead.
Common Implementation Problems with Magento
Problem #1: Surprise Expenses
The word "free" might draw you to Magento's free version, but it often ends up being anything but free. Many businesses find that the costs quickly stack up—development, maintenance, plugins, hosting, licensing, and server equipment can become overwhelming. Attempting to establish a consistent budget with numerous variables renders budget forecasting impractical.
What to look for instead
When choosing an eCommerce platform, opt for one that offers transparent pricing. Ideal providers offer a clear breakdown of costs after understanding your business needs and goals. Look for a service that provides detailed proposals with specific package options, which should outline what you'll get and at what phases of the implementation journey.
Also, ensure the platform offers flexible, optional modules that you can add as needed, allowing you to pay only for what you require without unexpected costs later. This approach simplifies financial planning and enhances predictability.
Problem #2: High Development Demands and Complex Implementation
Choosing Magento for your eCommerce might add "project manager" to your list of responsibilities. This task is particularly daunting when the business lacks dedicated developers or if staff are already stretched thin across multiple roles. Magento's high development demands require either hiring skilled developers or delving into development yourself, which can turn into a full-time job.
What to look for instead
Find an eCommerce solution that provides reliable expert support from the beginning and is designed for easy use.
These experts will help with technical aspects, like ERP system integration, freeing you to organize your products and streamline operations.
A good platform enables anyone in your company, no matter their technical skill level, to manage updates and create new pages with ease. This minimizes the need for ongoing developer support and avoids operational delays, making the setup and continuous management of your eCommerce system straightforward and less stressful.
Problem #3: Complicated Hosting
Setting up hosting with Magento can be a headache. If you opt for Magento, you'll need to sort out your own hosting. This means diving into the world of security patches, tech jargon, and even learning Linux and other related systems. Many users find that hosting for Magento not only becomes pricey but also causes a lot of frustration.
What to look for instead
When looking for an eCommerce solution, consider a company that handles hosting. A good platform manages all the technical details for you, ensuring that your website is secure and fast without you needing to become an expert in server technology. Look for providers with high-quality hardware and a strong track record of reliable, responsive service. This way, you can focus more on your business and less on the backend tech details.
Problem #4: Insufficient Customer Support
Online reviews frequently criticize Magento for its customer support (particularly noting the lack thereof for the free, older versions), which leaves users to fend for themselves. Additionally, even paying customers often find the support expensive, slow, and inconsistent. Effective customer support is crucial for continued success, as keeping a website open and available for business is important to the bottom line.
What to look for instead
You'll want a platform that provides hands-on help from folks who know their stuff, ideally with a direct, in-house team. Good service includes a fast report help-ticket system, detailed help documents and manuals, and options for a chat or calls, making sure you can get help when you need it. This kind of support not only fixes issues quickly but also builds trust and smooths out your eCommerce operations.
Common Usability Issues with Magento
Problem #5: Lack of User Friendliness
Magento is powerful but not exactly user-friendly. Users often find its interface and functions require more technical skills than anticipated. This can mean you must train your team further or hire a developer, adding complexity to a straightforward setup for your distributor's eCommerce system.
What to look for instead
If you're a distributor, choosing an eCommerce solution that integrates seamlessly with your ERP system is crucial. A well-integrated platform automates and simplifies online business processes, reducing the risk of errors from double-entry, improving efficiency, and minimizing delays in inventory, shipping, and sales. Opt for a user-friendly platform with clear interfaces and straightforward tools, designed specifically for the unique needs of distribution operations. This will enhance your ability to serve your customers effectively without the need for extensive software customization and frustrating communication errors between the ERP system and your eCommerce.
Problem #6: Sluggish Performance
Speed matters, especially online. Studies show that if a website takes more than three seconds to load, visitors are likely to leave. Magento often falls short in this area, with slow loading times as a significant issue. Slow websites frustrate end users and affect site clicks, engagement rates, and the bottom line.
What to look for instead
When choosing an eCommerce solution, consider how the platform manages website performance, particularly speed. Look for a system that promises fast loading times and provides transparent metrics on its performance. A good platform will continuously monitor and optimize its performance to ensure fast, reliable access.
The right platform proactively manages potential issues, maintaining high performance without your intervention. This commitment to speed and reliability substantially impacts customer satisfaction and sales.
Problem #7: Demanding System Management
Running a Magento site takes serious tech chops. Users often struggle with issues like cache management, where they find themselves constantly clearing caches and reindexing just to keep the shopping cart functioning.
This kind of manual, repetitive tinkering can really eat into your time—time that could be better spent managing your business. If the thought of this sounds daunting, that's because it is. You should focus on growing your online presence, not getting bogged down with backend tweaks.
What to look for instead
When choosing an eCommerce solution, aim for one that simplifies system management and doesn't require manual intervention to perform optimally. The right platform will provide you with the necessary tools and support, allowing you to concentrate on leveraging eCommerce to boost your business rather than maintaining it.
The system propels your business forward, not a project that demands ongoing technical attention.
Problem #8: Lack of Customization for B2B distributors
When Adobe scooped up Magento in June 2018, it didn't really change the game for B2B distributors. Magento was deeply rooted in retail, not set up for distributor-focused eCommerce. Adobe, with its broad market focus, likely won't shift to prioritize the unique needs of distributors, even as it’s moved towards pricier service models. This shift doesn’t work for distributors who need specialized B2B eCommerce solutions that understand their unique world.
What to look for instead
Seek out an eCommerce solution built for distributors. A provider dedicated to the distribution sector will better understand and address the specific challenges you face. Look for a company that has been in the game for a while, showing a long-term commitment to B2B eCommerce for distributors. Such a company will offer more personalized services and solutions that better fit how you do business.
Common Security Problems and Technical Issues with Magento
Problem #9: Buggy Upgrades
Upgrading Magento often introduces bugs due to its reliance on multiple third-party plugins and developers, leading to compatibility and security issues. Fixing these is complex without a unified guide, and typically, upgrading falls on you or your developer.
What to look for instead
Choose an eCommerce solution that ensures reliable, thoroughly tested updates. Opt for an evergreen system that continuously improves and automates updates, allowing you to access new features and bug fixes directly from an admin dashboard without manual intervention. This keeps your platform up-to-date.
Problem #10: Security Gaps
Security is a big deal when it comes to Magento, and rightly so. There have been several hack reports and security breaches; to fend these off, you're looking at a steady stream of security updates. These updates are crucial but can be a real drag on your IT team or any third-party helpers, making it a tedious part of their job.
What to look for instead
When choosing a better eCommerce solution, prioritize security from the start. Look for a system that monitors around the clock and incorporates robust security measures like intrusion detection, virus scanning, and multiple layers of protection.
The goal is to have a platform that keeps you safe without needing you to be a security whiz or bog down your team with constant updates. This way, you can stay focused on running your business, not on warding off threats.
Problem #11: Third-Party Complications
Handling third-party services with Magento can become a major time sink. Since Magento is open-source, you often need various plugins, some development help, and IT support from different vendors. When multiple third parties get involved, managing everything can feel like sinking in quicksand, especially if you're trying to keep your distribution business running smoothly.
What to look for instead
Look for an eCommerce solution that offers an all-in-one service. You'll want a system where everything from development to design and hosting is handled by one experienced team. A platform that does not rely on plugins and offers direct, comprehensive support can simplify your operations. This way, you can dedicate more time to growing your business, serving your customers, and attracting new ones, without the hassle of coordinating multiple external providers.
Problem #12: Plugin Disappointments
While Magento offers the possibility of expanding functionality through plugins, this often sounds better than it is in practice. Many distributors are enticed by the promise of endless possibilities with plugins, but soon find out that suitable options tailored to their specific needs are scarce.
If the right plugin doesn’t exist, and you’re not in the business of software development, what then? To make matters worse, a notable chunk of security issues stem from these plugins—especially those that are free or cheap, where developers have less incentive to maintain stringent security standards.
What to look for instead
Choose an eCommerce platform that’s specifically designed for your business needs, one that doesn’t depend on a patchwork of plugins to function properly. Look for systems built from the ground up with integral features that support distributors right out of the box. This approach not only ensures a more stable and secure setup but also eliminates the hassle and unpredictability of relying on external plugins to meet your core business requirements.
Choosing a B2B-Specific Ecommerce Option
Problems like these are why WebAlliance eCommerce was built specifically for B2B distributors. WebAlliance integrates directly with your ERP, and ensures distributors like you have a platform that’s easy to implement, user-friendly, and provides all the features and integrations you need to run your distributorship.
Schedule a demo to see how WebAlliance helps you avoid all of these challenges — all while providing reliable security and support.
