How SMBs Can Use B2B Partnerships to Increase Trust, Awareness Learn the secrets behind successful small business websites

"No man is an island, entire of itself," wrote the 16-century English poet, John Donne. Today, an unexpected population finds that his wise words ring just as they did five centuries ago: small business owners.

The ultimate goal for every business is to grow leads and conversions among current and potential clients. But the reality is that it's a lonely world for small business owners struggling to make their mark in a crowded marketplace with limited resources. It makes sense then, that it's better not to go it alone.

Joining forces with other, similar small businesses through affiliate partnerships helps build awareness of your business as well as a sense of trustworthiness among local customers.

How Do B2B Partnerships Work?

Small businesses can create an online business platform that showcases their own services and products, while featuring links to other, related businesses. For instance, a carpenter's website might features links to the websites of a plumber, roofer, and a carpet store.

When a customer visits the carpenter's website, they'll discover leads to other services they might need, but still haven't hired someone to do. If then planned to get a carpenter to install a new living room floor, and hoped to buy an area rug for the space, they will discover the link to the carpet store, and possibly purchase a carpet from that small business. Similarly, someone on the carpet store's website might need carpentry work, and discover the carpenter's website and services.

In the end, both businesses benefit from the affiliate partnership. These affiliate links build awareness, and because they've found them on a related website, it creates a sense of trust.

How to Launch Online B2B Partnerships

With a robust online platform, small businesses can easily integrate B2B partnerships onto their websites. Your small business website should incorporate tools which allow your site to feature complementary businesses that are also using the platform. The shared platform means that it is easy to send online traffic back and forth between businesses, opening the opportunity for growth.

You can launch this type of website by using an website building platform like Ocoos. Ocoos's website builder incorporates a patented B2B recommendations engine which links the websites of partners automatically. Ocoos's tool allows your small business to cooperate with similar companies to crowdsource marketing efforts, increase the circle of trust, and offer customers additional options.

In addition to creating professionally designed, SEO- and mobile-friendly friendly websites, Ocoos's online business platform also integrates a number of business-friendly tools. You'll have access to a variety of payment acceptance methods, appointment scheduling tools, contact management features, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.

Ocoos also offers a concierge service that works with small business owners to build their website that meets their goals and user needs. This affordable service takes the stress out of building your own website.  Owners are given full access to their website so they can make changes or adjustments if needed. Ocoos also offers 24-hour, US-based support if questions arise.