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Internet banking generic THMB B2B portals - worth the time and money put on them

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Bikky Khosla | 19 Jan, 2010
Today SMEs suffer from want of sales. Even by incurring huge marketing expenses they are unable to get the best results. Several SMEs I have met tell me that in want of sales they had in many occasions burnt their fingers by allowing lot of credit sales. It is indeed frustrating to see that while there is dearth of sales for SMEs, big companies are selling their products of same quality on cash-and-carry basis.

When I tried to look into the issue, I found that big companies were faring better because of the fanfare advertisements through all medias, which are not possible for SMEs. Thus the biggest hurdle before SMEs is lack of resources to advertise their products. Unlike big companies, they (SMEs) have very limited advertising budget.

Now, advertising is a way used to familiarize public with the product information and is thus not only merely propaganda, but a paid form of communication. Advertisers have to pay for the space and time used to communicate the message to his customers and involves huge money, which of course SMEs are unable to spend.

However nothing is lost for the SMEs. At this stage where skeptics might see the situation as the end of the road for SMEs, pragmatics like me would see this as an opportunity to turn towards a medium which is cost-effective, apt and targets the right audience. And what better medium other than B2B portals can be the best answer for SMEs to set aside this hurdle in their path to enhanced sales.

Without doubt B2B portal is the best solution to SME trade promotion. Not only are B2B portals cost-effective and comes within the limitation of the SMEs' budget, they also act as a vital source of information. B2B portals can perform as trade platforms to promote business, provide space for classifieds and banner ads, help in web designing and catalog construction, give huge online presence, provide business trends reports and information on trade shows, etc.

In short, B2B portals can help SMEs in marketing their products in the most economical manner. B2B portals also do away with all geographical barriers that SMEs confront because any buyer/ seller sitting in two different corners of the globe can meet via B2B portals and do business. In other words, B2B portals can help SMEs in exploring newer markets too.

Given the way the SMEs are taking centre stage in India's post-recession economy, I think B2B portals will become a destination of first choice very soon for upwardly mobile SMEs who will find these portals (B2B) worth the time and money put on them.
 
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B2B Portals for SMEs
Siva | Tue Feb 16 14:50:24 2010
Mr.Khosla I cant agree more with your thoughts. But I personally think there arent well established B2B portals in India.For example China has Alibaba. We are yet to get a player who covers the entire country.

  Re: B2B Portals for SMEs
Pras | Wed Feb 17 15:53:19 2010
Check out www.tradeindia.com and www.b2bfreezone.com dude



Hitin Sahni | Thu Jan 21 08:26:39 2010
I agree with Mr Khosla that B2B portals are one of the very best options for SMEs in order to market their products and meet prospective clients. But one needs to understand that the very reason for lack of use of B2B portals by SMEs is the psychic distance attached with using such portals. Personally speaking, I cant trust any buyer on such portals since it is free to join for any one and there are not proper background and credit checks on the members.

  Re:
T.K.nayyar | Wed Jan 27 16:59:48 2010
your concern about the B2B portal is well accepted.But you must appericiate that marketing is one of the toughest peoffession. To attract real customers you need show up. I think given a very small budget on adds by the SME,s B2B as well as B2C portals in combination to the presence through social network is a choice of the day.


B2B portals for SME trade promotion
rajiv dandekar | Wed Jan 20 04:51:37 2010
No doubt it is a IDEA that has all probabilities. It may overcome geograhical barriers as rightly pointed. There are hidden pointers which has to be addressed before opting this option. 1. The product and market segment. 2. The application of product. 3. The quantum awareness. The Local Laws is a hurdle. After so called Globilasation of 20 years we are yet to solve this Riddle. Govt was to play proactive role in solving it. Yet it has not moved INCH. The distribution of resources it amasses by central collection has not even attemted. Thus it has led to TAX ON TAXES. One should note with open mind that after lot of so called Mandates nothing has come out or will ever come out. This will leed to another MIRAGE. Complex buisness environment will be ever continued. It allows lot of cash collection. Who will disallow it? Thus it becomes a talk of seminars symposium only. In fact indviduals should be desisted in attempting such a venture. This can be aptly demonstrated by growth of Software CO. who still has Export GROWTH.


 
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