Optimizely & AD Identify 3 Crucial E-Commerce Investments for Distributors

Olivia KehnaOlivia Kehna
Feb 14, 2025

Optimizely and AD teaming up to give distributors the tools and strategies for long-term e-commerce success.

Optimizely and AD have teamed up to empower distributors like you with commerce strategies and tools to win in the digital-forward world. Let's dive into the key investments for lasting e-commerce success.

Optimizely has emerged as a trusted e-commerce software partner for AD, making long-lasting ecommerce success for the AD community the top priority.

Recognized as a leader in Forrester's 2024 Commerce Solutions for B2B report, Optimizely helps AD members understand, invest in, and execute their e-commerce strategies.

Optimizely and AD, through their extensive network of independent distributors, are betting big on content, personalization, and purchasing experiences as primary revenue drivers for organizations this year.

The State of E-Commerce for Distribution

In a world of hybrid offline and online channels, the distributors’ website is often for “unplanned” spend and product discovery for sales reps. Furthermore, MasterB2B’s State of E-Commerce 2024 report reveals that 41% of B2B buyers now avoid interacting with sales representatives for purchase research, and instead turn on digital means of searching for products. The growing self-service nature of product research should push distributors to enhance online product and service experiences as they recognize they are key to winning incremental revenue from and retention of their customers

3 crucial ecommerce investments distributors

1

Personalization

Independent distributors can personalize those catalogs, pricing, terms, and shipping for each customer to make finding and buying products a breeze. Product recommendations tools can work wonders by showing buyers exactly what they need by leveraging AD SKU Associations data with Optimizely product recommendation engine. Personalization for logged-in users means they get helpful, not headache-inducing, experiences.

2

Purchasing Experiences

A few simple web features can greatly enhance the B2B eCommerce experience. For instance, list management lets customers reorder products easily, speeding up checkout. Quick order capabilities allow customers to upload orders directly, making the purchase process faster and more reliable.

Advanced features include abandoned cart emails to boost sales and mobile commerce for purchasing on the go. Punchout capabilities streamline purchasing, improve efficiency, and ensure consistent procurement procedures. Additionally, building lists on customers' behalf can significantly increase satisfaction.

The Optimizely + AD Effect

AD members using Optimizely are experiencing accelerated e-commerce growth. By leveraging Optimizely's Configured Commerce solution along with strategic account support and eContent from AD, independent distributors saw a 58% higher transaction rate from January 2022 to April 2023 compared to non-AD members (Optimizely Data Team).

Beyond top-notch technology, AD and Optimizely have created a community to share commerce strategies and best practices through the Optimizely Customer Advisory Board and AD Digital Success team. This community offers ongoing strategic support, services, and technology innovation tailored for B2B success.

Are you an AD member looking to boost your e-commerce success? Sign up for a free consultation with your Optimizely team now.