Automating processes and integrating systems — from marketing engagement software to sales CRM tools to your B2B rewards platform — have become bigger priorities for enterprise businesses in the past several years. By building a connected tech stack and implementing automated workflows, your teams can do more with less, an important consideration as budgets and resources remain tight.
But not all integrated tools are created equal. You want to make sure that the platforms you choose offer the options and simplicity that will, in fact, save you time and hassle. When it comes to a B2B rewards platform, you might start by checking features such as the size of the incentives catalog, the available delivery methods, the ease of reporting, and more.
Don’t forget, however, to look specifically at the integration capabilities and how they work with your existing tools and workflows. Here are three questions to ask about any B2B rewards platform.
READ MORE: Download our Buyer’s Guide on evaluating an incentives platform
Depending on which integrations you hope to use, the setup may require varying levels of configuration to send rewards directly from another tool, such as Qualtrics or HubSpot. Some situations may be as simple as copying and pasting a code from one platform to the other. Others may need to involve your IT team, in which case it’s often recommended that you have a technical colleague join a follow-up demo to discuss the process and get their input.
Native integrations are often the most direct solution, but sometimes, you need a more tailored setup. Having access to an API can allow you to configure a more tailored integration for your B2B rewards platform. It also allows more flexibility if a native integration isn’t available for a particular tool in your tech stack. Another option is to look for an integration with an automation tool like Zapier, which helps connect software platforms more easily, with no coding required.
Rewards and incentives can be a valuable tool to boost success for many of your teams, including marketing, sales, and customer service. So why wouldn’t you choose a B2B rewards platform that integrates into all those workflows? Even if you don’t intend to take advantage of every use case right away, you want a solution that can grow with you and give you options to expand rewards later. Plus, having one tool that can work for several teams cuts down on vendor approvals and onboarding.
Think about the integration options two ways: First, how many different integrations are available? Your marketing team could use a Marketo integration, while the user experience team could incentivize surveys via Qualtrics, for example. Secondly, what integration options are there within a single software family? For instance, a B2B rewards platform that connects with HubSpot’s Marketing, Sales, and Service Hubs could create a complete, easy-to-use ecosystem.
In addition to integration capabilities, cost is always a factor in choosing a B2B rewards platform. Check out these four cost considerations to keep in mind.
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
Hannah is a reformed journalist who has more than 15 years of experience and now focuses on content marketing for innovative tech companies.
