On October 10, 2024, the eCA Conference Scale UP 2024 took place at Sofia Tech Park, bringing together experts and leaders in e-commerce. Attending the event in person was invaluable not only for our team at Stenik but also for all online merchants striving to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and regulations in the industry.
We at Stenik actively participated as exhibitors and through Dimitar Dimitrov's presentation, which shared insights on B2B business digitalization. Additionally, we were honored to receive four awards at the eCommerce Awards competition.
Key Highlights from the Lectures
Many people asked me, "What did you think of the lectures?", which led me to conclude that a significant portion of attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors missed the opportunity to attend them. For us, however, this was an important educational experience, from which I took notes on the key topics that will benefit our clients and partners.
Cybersecurity: Emphasizing the Human Factor
One of the most impressive presentations was delivered by Anton Puliyski from CyberCLUB, who highlighted the importance of cybersecurity for online stores. Some of his key points were:
- The significance of regular software updates.
- The use of two-factor authentication for access to administrative panels.
- Regular backups and encryption of sensitive data.
Nevertheless, Puliyski emphasized that cybersecurity begins and ends with people. No matter how well-protected the systems are technologically, if the users are not trained to recognize risks, security breaches are highly likely.
At Stenik, we recognize this reality and always combine technological practices with client training. We send regular newsletters and recommendations to strengthen the security of their stores.
European Accessibility Act: What Do We Need to Know?
The next important topic was presented by Slavi Slavov from AiopsGroup. He focused on the new European Accessibility Act (EAA), which takes effect on June 28, 2025, imposing new accessibility requirements for various products and services, including online stores.
But what exactly is the European Accessibility Act, and why is it so important?
At Stenik, we’ve already shared more about this topic in our blog and offer our clients ready-made solutions to ensure their stores comply fully with the new requirements.
eCommerce Expansion: Logistics and Delivery Management in Europe
The expansion of online stores from Bulgaria to European markets was thoroughly explored by Vihren Biset (EU Shipments) and Boris Petrov (Ozone). They paid particular attention to specific logistical challenges in delivering to hard-to-reach areas like Greek islands and mountainous regions in Croatia. The main takeaway is that choosing the right courier company and accurately describing delivery timelines are crucial for successful expansion.
At Stenik, we’ve already integrated EU Shipments for Magento and offer the same solutions to clients planning European expansion. This enables merchants like Ozone to access quality courier services and ensure accurate, reliable deliveries to customers in various countries.
Email Marketing for Growth: Effective Strategies?
Alexander Botev from theMarketer presented a three-step system for increasing sales through email marketing. While the ideas were interesting, the presentation lacked specific examples from Bulgarian online stores. Most of the data was based on cases from Romania, indicating that these methods are not yet widely adopted in Bulgaria.
At Stenik, we’ve implemented an integration of theMarketer for one client using their ready-made Magento module. Although we have yet to receive detailed feedback, we continue to monitor its performance compared to other email marketing tools like MailChimp, Klaviyo, and ContactPigeon.
New Horizons for B2B Commerce: Dimitar Dimitrov’s Presentation from Stenik
One of the key moments at the eCA Conference Scale UP 2024 was my partner Dimitar Dimitrov's presentation, which surprised the audience with an interactive approach and real examples from our work at Stenik. The topic, "B2B or not to be," highlighted new horizons in e-commerce and the importance of removing barriers for B2B merchants.
For the first time in a Stenik presentation, we included customer satisfaction survey results, boasting an impressive 90% overall positive rating. These results inspire us to continue developing the solutions we offer, particularly in the B2B commerce sector.
Why Are B2B Online Channels a Necessity?
Dimitar presented compelling arguments for why merchants should view B2B online platforms as a key component of their business. The main point was that more and more companies are setting as a primary requirement that their suppliers have an online B2B order channel. A distributor lacking such a channel risks losing clients.
He also shared a real-life example of a client who prioritized developing their B2B store over all other projects for this reason. This trend underscores that digitizing B2B commerce is not just a recommendation but a mandatory step to maintain competitiveness.
Client Voices: Boris Atanasov from S&D and Kaloyan Iliev from Uwear
To make the presentation more practical and credible, we invited two of our clients, Boris Atanasov (S&D) and Kaloyan Iliev (Uwear), to share their personal experiences. They discussed the challenges they faced before launching their B2B online stores and how this digital transformation changed their business.
What Can a B2B Online Platform Offer?
B2B online platforms are not just order channels – they can completely transform suppliers' and merchants' businesses. These platforms go beyond being mere "stores" to become comprehensive B2B platforms that can include:
- Automated order processes: Clients can easily place orders online, review previous purchases, and track inventory in real time.
- Custom client terms: Options for personalized price lists, special discounts, and unique conditions for different clients.
- ERP integration: Seamless connection with internal business management systems to streamline order processing and inventory management.
- Full transparency: Clients have access to order history, invoices, payment terms, and delivery statuses, simplifying decision-making.
- Service optimization: Integration with various customer support tools and chats enhances communication and overall service quality.
Read more on this topic in our specialized blog posts and case studies and on our website.
Dimitar Dimitrov’s presentation clearly argued the necessity of digitizing B2B commerce. This transformation not only meets growing business demands but also opens new opportunities for optimization and growth. Businesses that fail to adapt to this model risk losing competitive advantages and clients. At Stenik, we are proud to help our clients take this step, transforming their B2B stores into comprehensive platforms for managing business processes.