The Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design

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What is the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design?

The B2B (business-to-business) model in user experience (UX) design and user interface (UI) design is the provision of UX services by designers and design agencies to businesses rather than individual consumers. When designers work with a B2B model, they typically focus on improving the usability and user experience of products, services or systems that client companies' employees or customers use. 

Director of Design at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng explains the importance of an impressive UX portfolio—a chief instrument for designers to win B2B contracts: 

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Why Is the B2B Model Important in UX Design?

The B2B model for freelancing UX designers and design agencies is all about creating user experiences for products or services for other companies. This model differs greatly from B2C (business-to-consumer) design, as it addresses the unique needs and real-world complexities of business interactions. What designers and design teams must cater to when they apply B2B UX best practices is a vision that encapsulates a brand identity with business goals and distinct sets of criteria for the design work involved.  

In the B2B context, UX designers have to consider multiple stakeholders within a company—each with different roles and requirements. The end-user—who directly interacts with the product—may not be the decision-maker who purchases it. This dynamic creates a more complex design challenge than a designer would face with, for example, web design for a single-consumer client with more aesthetic reasons for the visual elements the designer might apply to a landing page. The reason for the comparative complexity of business-to-business UX design is that the UX must satisfy both the practical needs of the users and the business objectives of the buyers. So—in a sense—with B2B customers, there are two target audiences.  

In B2B UX design, the work that UX and user interface (UI) designers do is often to create user interfaces for specialized tools, software or platforms that individuals use in professional settings. These might include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) tools or industry-specific applications. Such interfaces could be call-center help desk interfaces with complex functionalities to maximize the client’s customer service handling process, for example. In any case, the goal is to design intuitive, efficient and feature-rich experiences that boost productivity and add value to the client's business operations. To achieve this, designers conduct user research, create wireframes and prototypes, perform usability testing and design intuitive interfaces for enterprise software, internal tools or B2B platforms.  

Author and Human Computer-Interaction Expert, Professor Alan Dix explains important points about prototyping: 

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B2B contracts—which can include B2B ecommerce UX and B2B website UX—tend to demand deep involvement between a designer and complex systems that have unique user flows, starting points and more. So, freelancing UX designers must adapt their skills to meet the specific demands of business clients. They’ve got to leverage B2B UX research skills while they navigate the complexities of corporate structures and decision-making processes. 

A screenshot from Frog.co's website.

Frog, a global strategy and design company, is heavily involved in impacting the B2B design landscape with successful projects.

© Frog Design, Fair Use

B2B vs B2C UX Design: What’s The Difference?

There are many aspects where the business-to-business and business-to-consumers models differ, namely in: 

1. User Complexity

  • B2B: Users are often professionals with specific expertise in their field. They may need more complex features and functionalities to assist them on their user journeys, which can see them helping other users or customers. 

  • B2C: Users are typically general consumers who’ve got varying levels of technical knowledge. That means they need more intuitive and straightforward interfaces to help them on their user or customer journeys as they achieve goals. 

2. Decision-Making Process

  • B2B: Involves multiple stakeholders and longer decision-making cycles. The buying process is often more rational and based on return on investment (ROI). 

  • B2C: Usually involves individual consumers who make quicker, more emotionally driven decisions. 

3. User Goals 

  • B2B: Often task-oriented, it focuses on efficiency, productivity and solving specific business problems. 

  • B2C: More varied—and ranges from entertainment to personal problem-solving—often with an emphasis on enjoyment and ease of use.  

4. Design Aesthetics

  • B2B: Tends to prioritize functionality and data presentation over visual appeal, although this is changing. 

  • B2C: Often requires more visually appealing designs to attract and engage consumers.

5.Customization

  • B2B: May call for more customization options to meet specific business needs. 

  • B2C: Generally offers less customization, and it can focus on a one-size-fits-most approach—but conscientious design still caters to power users as well as casual or novice ones. 

6. User Research

  • B2B: Often involves more in-depth, qualitative research with a smaller user base—for example, technical help desk software. 

UX Strategist and Consultant, William Hudson explains the difference between qualitative and quantitative research: 

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7. Onboarding and Training

  • B2B: May need more extensive onboarding processes and user training—such as for medical staff system use. 

  • B2C: Typically aims for intuitive designs that require minimal to no training. 

8. Sales Cycle

  • B2B: Longer sales cycles—and these often need ongoing support and relationship building. 

  • B2C: Shorter sales cycles—and these focus on immediate conversion and customer acquisition. 

9. User Loyalty

  • B2B: Often results in longer-term relationships thanks to higher switching costs. 

  • B2C: May have lower loyalty, with users more likely to switch between competing products. 

10. Regulatory Compliance

  • B2B: May need to adhere to industry-specific regulations and standards. 

  • B2C: While still subject to regulations, they’re often more general consumer protection laws. 

In any case, accessible and inclusive design is important for designers to understand, as our video explains: 

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11. Pricing Models

  • B2B: Often involves complex pricing structures, subscriptions or custom quotes. 

  • B2C: Usually has simpler, more transparent pricing models. 

12. Feature Depth vs. Breadth

  • B2B: Tends to focus on depth of features for specific use cases. 

  • B2C: Often prioritizes breadth of features to appeal to a wider audience. 

13. Update Frequency

  • B2B: May have less frequent but more significant updates because of the systems’ complexity. 

  • B2C: Often has more frequent, incremental updates to keep users engaged. 

14. Performance Metrics

  • B2B: Focuses on metrics like efficiency, time saved and ROI. 

  • B2C: Often has a priority of engagement, conversion rates and user satisfaction. 

15. Brand Relationship

  • B2B: Emphasizes building trust and long-term partnerships. 

  • B2C: Focuses on creating emotional connections and brand loyalty. 

A screenshot from Google Analytics.

Google Analytics is a well-designed and powerful B2B resource that offers many benefits to any online business—with a clean, mobile-friendly interface and easy-to-customize UX so businesses can find the data they need.

© Google, Fair Use

What Are the Benefits of Design Work with a B2B model?

When UX designers work with a B2B model, they can enjoy several advantages: 

  1. Complex problem-solving: B2B projects often involve intricate business processes and workflows. These design projects can provide designers with challenging and intellectually stimulating work—which they might be able to leverage as a B2B UX case study in their portfolio under the right circumstances. 

  1. Impact on business operations: UX improvements in B2B products can have a massive impact on a company's efficiency and bottom line—and so can make the work highly rewarding. 

  1. Professional growth: Designers can get valuable experience when they work with diverse industries and complex systems. This exposure helps them sharpen their skills and boost their marketability. Depending on the sensitivity of the project—regarding secrecy and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)—designers might be able to feature successful case studies in their portfolios. 

Morgane Peng explains important points about NDAs: 

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  1. Stability and long-term relationships: B2B clients often require ongoing support and updates. That leads to more stable, long-term engagements for designers. 

  1. Collaboration with experts: B2B projects frequently call for UX-UI designers to work with subject matter experts, which gives designers opportunities to learn from professionals in various fields. 

  1. Higher budgets: B2B projects typically have larger budgets than B2C projects. That means designers can get involved in more comprehensive research and design processes. That can translate to higher earning potential for designers as well as the prestige they might earn for their portfolios. 

  1. Focus on functionality: While esthetics are important, B2B design prioritizes functionality and efficiency. This can be refreshing for designers who enjoy solving practical problems—for example, to design an interface for security system help staff so they can help property owners with problems as quickly as possible. 

CEO of Experience Dynamics, Frank Spillers explains important points about the value of designing with insights into user behavior and how vital appropriate content is:  

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What Are Examples of B2B Best Practices for UX Designers?

To succeed in B2B UX design, here are some tips for professionals: 

  1. Understand the entire ecosystem: B2B products often interact with multiple systems and processes. Designers must grasp the bigger picture if they’re going to create solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing workflows. For example, a B2B client in the pharmaceuticals industry will likely have numerous procedures and protocols for handling drugs, including regarding international laws and clinical matters.  

    A diagram of a high-level service ecosystem.

    This is a high-level service ecosystem—in this case, for an insurance provider—and a good example of a UX ecosystem.

    © Jesse Grimes, Fair Use

  2. Prioritize user research: Thanks to the complexity of B2B environments, thorough user research is crucial. This includes understanding various user roles, their pain points and specific needs within the organization. For example, insurance company workers may have an intricate system to log, monitor, transfer and resolve data about customers who file claims about car accidents. B2B designers would need to factor in pain points about such dimensions as irate customers and the potential for fraud into the UI to optimize it. 

UX Strategist and Consultant, William Hudson explains the importance of UX research: 

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  1. Design for multiple user types: B2B products often have different user groups with varying levels of expertise and frequency of use. UX designers must create interfaces that cater to both power users and occasional users—for example, managers with different experience with the interface might need to access support staff members’ systems occasionally, which the latter may be more proficient with. 

  1. Focus on efficiency and productivity: In B2B contexts, the expression “time is money” applies that much more. Design choices should prioritize task efficiency and help users complete their work quickly and accurately. 

  1. Implement robust search and filtering: B2B applications often deal with large amounts of data. So, it’s vital for designers to provide powerful search and filtering capabilities for users to find the information they need. 

  1. Create clear information architecture: With complex systems, a well-organized information structure is crucial. So, it’s best to use clear labels, logical groupings and intuitive navigation so users get the help to find what they need. 

William Hudson explains important points about information architecture: 

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  1. Design for customization and scalability: B2B solutions often need to adapt to different company sizes and specific industry requirements. So, it’s best for designers to build flexibility into their designs to accommodate various use cases. 

  1. Provide comprehensive onboarding and support: B2B products can be complex. So, it’s a good idea to design intuitive onboarding experiences and easily accessible help resources to lubricate flows and keep user frustration to an absolute minimum. 

  1. Use data and analytics: Leverage user data and analytics to inform design decisions and continuously improve the product based on actual usage patterns. 

William Hudson explains valuable aspects of analytics in this video: 

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  1. Collaborate closely with stakeholders: Keep open communication lines with various stakeholders—including end-users, decision-makers and subject matter experts—throughout the design process. 

How Do UX Designers Build Their Brand in a B2B model?

For UX freelancers especially, it’s vital to ask themselves what their value proposition is—what they have to offer clients as unique digital product or service designers. 

Designer Director at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng explains why value propositions are important: 

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From there, freelancers have numerous options to build their brand as B2B UX designers, such as to:   

1. Develop industry expertise: Focus on specific B2B sectors—like fintech, healthcare or manufacturing—to become an expert in those areas. This specialization can help prospective B2B design contractors stand out and be more attractive to B2B clients. 

2. Network and attend B2B events: Participate in industry conferences, trade shows and networking events so they can meet potential clients and stay updated on B2B trends. 

3. Create thought leadership content: Write articles, blog posts or whitepapers on UX design in B2B contexts. It’s also helpful to share insights on platforms—such as LinkedIn—or industry-specific publications. 

4. Collaborate with other B2B service providers: It’s wise to partner with complementary businesses—such as marketing agencies or software development firms—to expand a designer’s network and potential client base. 

5. Offer workshops or webinars: Designers who conduct educational sessions for B2B companies can showcase their expertise and provide value to potential clients. 

6. Obtain relevant certifications: Designers who pursue certifications valued in the B2B world can greatly boost their credibility and bolster their chances of winning contracts. 

A diagram of a story arc for UX portfolios.

Designers who leverage elements of storytelling into their case studies can make their UX portfolios stand out, with clients able to see and appreciate every step of the journey.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

How Do UX Portfolios Help Designers Get Profitable B2B Contracts?

Often, the UX-UI design portfolio will be the most important document that travels ahead of the designer—and it’s often the first point of contact between designer and potential client. That’s why it’s vital to get it right and fine-tuned to a B2B context. Designers can do this when they: 

1. Demonstrate B2B-specific expertise: It’s best to showcase projects that are relevant to B2B industries, highlighting a designer’s understanding of complex business processes and user needs. One particularly beneficial strategy is to highlight successful B2B projects through case studies—with emphasis on the business impact of the UX design solutions. 

2. Emphasize business impact: In the portfolio, a designer should focus on how the UX design solutions improved key business metrics—such as increased conversion rates, reduced customer support tickets or improved employee productivity. 

CEO of Experience Dynamics, Frank Spillers offers vital insights into business matters such as key performance indicators (KPIs) and ROI. 

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3. Show problem-solving skills: It’s vital to clearly articulate the business challenges a designer addressed and how their UX solution resolved those problems. 

4. Include diverse B2B projects: If a designer can showcase a range of B2B projects to show their versatility and ability to adapt to different industries and business needs, it can boost their appeal to a wider range of clients. 

5. Highlight collaboration: Designers should emphasize how well they work with cross-functional teams. It’s often a crucial matter in B2B environments. 

UX Designers and Author of Build Better Products and UX for Lean Startups, Laura Klein explains key points about cross-functional collaboration: 

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6. Use data and metrics: It’s helpful to include quantitative results—wherever possible—to show the tangible impact of the work done. The business world’s lens tends to focus on bottom lines and quantifiable results, so percentages and the like are key indicators of design success. 

7. Showcase process: It’s important for a designer to detail their approach to understanding B2B user needs, conducting research and iterating on designs based on feedback. 

Author, UX Leader and Certified Coach (AAC, CPCC), Stephen Gay provides important advice about how designers need to show their thought processes behind how they approach UX needs and solutions: 

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8. Include testimonials: To add quotes or recommendations from B2B clients to build trust and credibility is always an effective strategy. 

9. Tailor the portfolio: When designers apply for specific B2B contracts, it’s important to customize the portfolio to highlight the most relevant projects and skills for that particular opportunity. Again, this is where case studies need to reflect the rationale for the designer to apply for a certain B2B contract—so, the content strategy they project to a B2B client must be in tune with the target audience and intention.  

Morgane Peng explains important points about content strategy for designers: 

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10. Demonstrate scalability: Another helpful tip is for designers to show how their UX solutions are applicable across large organizations or complex systems. That’s often a requirement in B2B contexts. 

A diagram that shows how a UX portfolio must explain the What and the How.

Remember, in B2B, it's crucial to demonstrate not just design skills and the bottom line, but also a deep understanding of how that designer can work with business processes, stakeholder management and drive those measurable results in the bottom line.

© Interaction Design Foundation, CC BY-SA 4.0

What Are Challenges in B2B Model UX/UI Design?

B2B model UX design work presents unique challenges and risks for design agencies and freelancers, such as: 

  1. Limited access to end-users: In B2B settings, designers may have restricted access to actual end-users. That can make user research and testing more challenging. 

UX Strategist and Consultant, William Hudson explains important points about testing: 

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  1. Complex approval processes: Multiple stakeholders often mean longer approval cycles and potential design compromises to satisfy various requirements. 

  1. Legacy system constraints: Many B2B products need to integrate with or replace existing legacy systems. It’s something that can limit design options and create technical challenges. 

  1. High stakes and pressure: B2B products often have a massive impact on a company's operations. That “live risk” element at such a heightened scale leads to increased pressure and stress for designers. For example, if a designer creates an interface that isn’t as user-friendly or efficient for the staff or users who need it, costly repercussions may arise before a redesign addresses the new pain points. 

  1. The balance of user needs with business requirements: Designers must navigate the sometimes-conflicting demands of end-users and business decision-makers. It can take much extra work to get the insights to make this balance work in favor of driving positive change. 

Author, Speaker and Leadership Coach, Todd Zaki Warfel explains critical points about how to present design work to stakeholders: 

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  1. Industry-specific regulations: Certain industries have strict regulatory requirements that can impact design choices and add complexity to the process. For example, the medical and pharmaceutical industries have stringent regulations that demand additional attention to design considerations. 

  1. Long-term commitment: B2B projects often require ongoing support and updates. That can be challenging for freelancers who prefer short-term engagements such as website design or more visual design- or graphic design-oriented work. These longer timelines also typically involve more stakeholders. Plus, they can have more complex requirements. Those can lead on to extended design and implementation phases, putting the designer in the field for the duration. 

  1. Need for industry-specific knowledge: Freelancers may need to quickly learn about various industries and their unique workflows if they’re to design effective solutions. This can make competition for B2B contracts that much more difficult for many freelancers who suddenly need to run off and study hard. 

  1. Resistance to change: Users in B2B environments may be so used to existing systems that they’ll resist a designer’s changes, even if they improve the overall experience. The “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” attitude can be myopic to the genuine need for progress, and can distort how individuals report in usability testing. 

  1. Confidentiality and NDAs: B2B projects often involve sensitive business information—calling for designers to navigate strict confidentiality agreements and limiting what they can show in a portfolio. 

  1. Scope creep: How complex B2B projects can be is something that can lead to frequent changes in requirements and scope. That can be challenging to manage—especially for freelancers—and translate to even more pressure in a results-driven environment. 

To mitigate these risks, UX designers and freelancers who work in B2B environments should: 

  • Develop strong communication skills to navigate complex stakeholder relationships. 

  • Build expertise in specific industries to better understand client needs. 

  • Create flexible design systems that can adapt to changing requirements. 

  • Establish clear project scopes and change management processes. 

  • Invest in continuous learning so they can stay updated on industry trends and technologies. 

Ultimately, B2B clients will also respond to a designer’s portfolio as a kind of UX solution in itself. That’s why the attention to detail a designer has in visual design and optimizing documents is imperative to present as part of the “pitch” to climb the B2B ladder and enjoy heightened levels of success. 

Morgane Peng explains valuable points about how to craft a UX portfolio with storytelling tools: 

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Overall, the value of B2B contracts reflects the many benefits that freelancer UX and UI designers and design agencies can enjoy from this more rewarding—if more intense—vein of design work. When designers prepare themselves for—and meet the challenges of—B2B projects and deliver successful outcomes for their clients, the results can translate to major wins across the aboard. For one thing, a successful B2B project is far more than a single piece of design work done well. It symbolizes a fruitful relationship, built on a labor-intensive foundation from which designers can propel themselves to further contracts and the chances to produce more B2B digital solutions that resonate across industries. 

Learn More About The B2B Model in UX/UI Design

Our course Build a Standout UX/UI Portfolio: Land Your Dream Job with Design Director at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng provides a precious cache of details and tips for freelance designers. 

Watch our Master Class, Win Clients, Pitches & Approval: Present Your Designs Effectively with Todd Zaki Warfel, Author, Speaker and Leadership Coach for many valuable insights. 

Read our piece, How to Write Great Case Studies for Your UX Design Portfolio for valuable additional insights. 

Go to our piece, How to Price Your Freelance and B2B Work for further helpful insights. 

Consult The True ROI of UX: B2B Redesign Case Studies by Miklos Philips for interesting points and case study examples. 

Check out B2B UX – Common Obstacles and Attainable Solutions by Samuel J. Horodezky for additional important details. 

See B2B UX Design: eCommerce UI/UX Best Practices by Stephen Beer for further useful information. 

Read The 3 Laws of B2B UX by Amber Coffman for additional helpful insights. 

Questions related to Business-To-Business Model

What are the main differences between B2B and B2C UX design?

B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) UX design differ mainly in user needs, decision-making processes and user goals. 

In B2B design, the users often look for efficiency and productivity. They seek tools that help them complete tasks quickly. B2B interfaces need to support complex workflows and integration with other systems. 

On the other side of things, B2C design focuses on ease of use and engagement. Users want enjoyable and intuitive experiences. The design often emphasizes aesthetics and emotional connection to attract and retain customers. 

What’s more, B2B decisions usually involve multiple stakeholders—something that leads to longer decision cycles. B2C decisions are quicker and individual users make them. So, B2B designs must facilitate collaboration that much more, while B2C designs might aim more for simplicity and immediate appeal. 

Our course Build a Standout UX/UI Portfolio: Land Your Dream Job with Design Director at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng provides a precious cache of details and tips for freelance designers. 

Author, Speaker and Leadership Coach, Todd Zaki Warfel explains critical points about how to present design work to stakeholders: 

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How do you conduct user research for B2B products?

Try the following: 

  1. Identify your target users and stakeholders.  

  1. Collect information about their roles, goals and pain points. Use interviews and surveys to collect detailed insights from these users. Focus on understanding their workflows and specific needs. Observe users in their work environment to see how they interact with existing tools and processes. This helps you identify areas for improvement.  

  1. Analyze data from support tickets, user feedback and usage analytics to uncover common issues and feature requests.  

  1. Create personas based on your findings to represent different user types. Use these personas to guide your design decisions.  

  1. Last—but not least—involve users in testing prototypes, so you can make sure your design solutions meet their needs effectively. 

Read our Topic Definition of user research to understand more about this vital activity. 

Watch Author and Human-Computer Interaction Expert, Professor Alan Dix explain important points about personas: 

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What are the key elements of a successful B2B website design?

A successful B2B website design includes clear navigation, a professional look and easy access to information. So: 

  • Make sure the site loads quickly and works well on all devices.  

  • Present a strong value proposition on the homepage—and show how your product solves business problems. Use high-quality images and videos to support your message. Provide detailed product information—including case studies and whitepapers—to help visitors understand your offerings.  

  • Include clear calls-to-action (CTAs) to guide users towards desired actions, such as contacting sales or requesting a demo. Offer easy contact options—like live chat or a contact form—to connect users with your team.  

  • Last—but not least—showcase client testimonials and logos to build credibility and trust. 

Designer Director at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng explains why value propositions are important: 

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What are the best practices for designing B2B dashboards?

It’s important to prioritize clarity and usability. Present key metrics and data upfront, using simple charts and graphs. Avoid clutter so users can focus best on important information. 

Make sure the dashboard aligns with users' goals and tasks. Customize views to fit different roles and preferences. 

Use consistent color schemes and fonts to keep a professional appearance. Group related information together and label sections clearly. 

Provide interactive elements like filters and drill-down options so users get to explore data in detail. Include tooltips and legends to explain data points. 

Regularly test the dashboard with real users to collect feedback and make improvements. 

Watch our video to understand more about usability: 

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What are common UX mistakes in B2B design, and how do you avoid them?

Common UX mistakes in B2B design include complex navigation, overwhelming information and lack of user input. To avoid these:  

  • Have simple, intuitive navigation.  

  • Use clear menus and search functions to help users find information quickly. 

  • Present information in a clean and organized way. Avoid clutter—prioritize key content and use whitespace well. 

  • Involve users early and often in the design process. Conduct user research, collect their feedback and test prototypes to make sure the design really does meet their needs. 

CEO of Experience Dynamics, Frank Spillers explains important points about the value of designing with insights into user behavior and how vital appropriate content is:  

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Another mistake is ignoring mobile optimization. So, make sure your design works well on all devices, as B2B users often access information on the go. 

Watch as Frank Spillers gives important advice about how task analysis can help: 

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Last—but not least—update your design based on user feedback and changing needs. 

How do you collect and use feedback from B2B users?

To collect feedback from B2B users, use surveys, interviews and feedback forms. To start, ask specific questions about their experiences and pain points. Make sure you cover various aspects of your product or service.  

Collect data through regular check-ins, user testing sessions and support interactions. Analyze this feedback so you can find common themes and issues. Use feedback to prioritize improvements and feature requests. Then, involve your team in discussing and implementing these changes. Make sure you communicate updates—and thank users for their input. What’s more, regularly review and refine your feedback process to stay aligned with user needs and expectations. 

Our course Build a Standout UX/UI Portfolio: Land Your Dream Job with Design Director at Societe Generale CIB, Morgane Peng provides a precious cache of details and tips for freelance designers. 

Author, Speaker and Leadership Coach, Todd Zaki Warfel explains critical points about how to present design work to stakeholders: 

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How do you collaborate with stakeholders in B2B UX projects?

To start, identify the key stakeholders. Schedule regular meetings to discuss project goals, timelines and expectations. Clearly communicate with them and make sure that everyone understands the project's objectives and progress.  

It’s important to involve stakeholders early in the design process—so get their input and feedback. Present wireframes, prototypes and design concepts for their review. Address their concerns and incorporate their suggestions wherever it’s feasible.  

Document decisions and share updates through email or project management tools. Encourage open dialogue and address issues promptly—so you can make sure everyone’s on the same page and there’s a high level of trust. Use workshops and brainstorming sessions to make the most of collaboration and generate ideas.  

It’s vital to keep stakeholders engaged throughout the project so you make sure the design work meets their needs. 

Watch our Master Class, Win Clients, Pitches & Approval: Present Your Designs Effectively with Todd Zaki Warfel, Author, Speaker and Leadership Coach for many valuable insights. 

Todd Zaki Warfel explains critical points about how to present design work to stakeholders: 

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How do you handle complex workflows in B2B UX design?

To handle complex workflows in B2B UX design, start by mapping out the entire process. Identify each step and understand the users' tasks and goals at each stage. 

Use user personas to tailor the design to different roles and needs. Simplify interactions: Break down tasks into manageable steps. 

Watch as Professor Alan Dix explains important points about personas: 

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Provide clear navigation and labels to guide users through the workflow. Use visual aids like progress bars to show users where they are in the process. 

Implement features like shortcuts and automation to reduce repetitive tasks. Make sure the design integrates seamlessly with other systems users rely on. 

Test the workflow with real users to find pain points—and get their feedback. Make iterative improvements based on this feedback. 

Senior Product Designer, UiPath; Founder, UX Goodies Ioana Teleanu discusses fascinating points about how AI can help with workflows. 

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What role does accessibility play in B2B UX design?

Accessibility plays a crucial role in B2B UX design. It’s an ultra-important factor—often enforced by law—that ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can use the product effectively. This inclusivity doesn’t just improve the user experience; it widens your audience, too. So, it’s vital to: 

  • Design interfaces with clear, readable text and sufficient color contrast.  

  • Use alt text for images and give keyboard navigation options.  

  • Make sure that forms and interactive elements are accessible to screen readers. 

  • Comply with accessibility standards like WCAG to create a more usable and legally compliant product.  

  • Regularly test your design with diverse users to spot and fix accessibility issues.  

Accessibility is a big deal, and when you prioritize accessibility, you create a more inclusive product that meets the needs of all users. Watch our video to understand more about why accessibility is important and how it makes sense on more than one level to design with it in mind: 

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What are some highly cited scientific articles about B2B UI-UX Design?

Hildén, E., Väätäjä, H., Roto, V., & Uusitalo, K. (2016). Participatory development of user experience design guidelines for a B2B company. In Proceedings of the 20th International Academic Mindtrek Conference (pp. 49-58). ACM.  

This publication is significant for its focus on integrating user experience (UX) design principles into business-to-business (B2B) contexts—an area that’s often overlooked in UX research. It presents a participatory approach to developing UX design guidelines for a company that produces materials-handling equipment for warehouses. The authors outline a six-step process aimed at fostering a company-wide culture of experience-driven design, including awareness-spreading, information provision, understanding support, co-creation of guidelines, outcome review and implementation. The study's importance lies in its practical application of UX principles in a B2B setting—showing how organizations can involve employees across different departments in creating and implementing UX guidelines. This approach helps bridge the gap between UX theory and practice in industrial contexts. The paper's methodology provides a replicable framework for other B2B companies looking to enhance their product design processes with a focus on UX. By emphasizing participatory methods, the research contributes to the broader field of UX design—showcasing how collaborative approaches can lead to more effective and widely adopted design guidelines in complex business environments. 

What are some popular books about B2B UI-UX Design?

Hall, S. (2022). Innovative B2B Marketing: New Models, Processes and Theory (2nd ed.). Kogan Page.   
Simon Hall's book is notable for its focus on innovation in B2B marketing. It explores new models, processes, and theories that are reshaping the B2B marketing landscape in the digital age. The book covers a wide range of topics—and these include customer experience, digital transformation and data-driven marketing strategies. Hall's work is particularly influential for its practical approach, offering case studies and actionable insights that help B2B marketers adapt to rapidly changing business environments. It has become a go-to resource for professionals seeking to understand and implement cutting-edge B2B marketing strategies. 

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Literature on the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design

Here’s the entire UX literature on the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design by the Interaction Design Foundation, collated in one place:

Learn more about the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design

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Throughout the course, you'll get practical tips to apply to your portfolio. In the "Build Your Portfolio" project, you'll create your portfolio strategy, write and test your hook, build a case study and prepare your portfolio presentation. You’ll be able to share your progress, tips and reflections with your coursemates, gain insights from the community and elevate each other’s portfolios.

All open-source articles on the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design

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Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF. (2016, September 2). What is the Business-To-Business Model (B2B) in UX/UI Design?. Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF.

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