In his book “E-commerce: Management and Social Network Perspectives”, American scholar Ephraim Teban summarized the functions of B2B online trading platforms into the following three functions.
1. Matching importers and exporters
(1) Determine which goods can be provided;
(2) Display the goods available for sale in different categories;
(3) Provide commodity prices and other information;
(4) Organize auctions, bidding and other transactions;
(5) Match supply and demand information and verify the qualifications of both parties;
(6) Provide comparison of commodity prices and attributes;
(7) Provide a list of importers and exporters;
(8) Support negotiations between the two parties;
(9) Ensure information security.
2. Facilitate transactions
(1) Provide transaction platforms and technologies, such as logistics systems that transmit information, goods, and services to the importer;
(2) Provide product catalogs and manage product catalogs;
(3) Provide billing and payment information, and provide insurance, logistics, and contracting services;
(4) Define transaction terms and negotiation terms;
(5) Provide query information, including industry news, etc.;
(6) Provide users with access to the platform and review the user’s qualifications to use the platform;
(7) Collect transaction fees and provide corresponding software, such as EDI systems;
(8) Provide analysis and statistical data;
(9) Accept registration from both importers and exporters and determine qualifications;
(10) Ensure the security of information and transactions.
3. Formulate trading rules and maintain trading platform infrastructure
(1) Ensure that transactions comply with business rules, contract law, import and export law, intellectual property rights, etc.;
(2) Ensure technical support for the platform and ensure website traffic and speed;
(3) Provide a standard system interface to both importers and exporters;
(4) Accept appropriate website advertisers and collect advertising fees and other fees.