Ina recent survey conducted by one of the top Business to Business portals, wasable to find that there was 140% increase on international traders seeking thehelp of B2B portals for their business needs. The sudden increase in demand ofpremium memberships has in fact, spurred the portal to learn more about thephenomenon.

Themajor reason cited for this sudden demand in B2B premium memberships is theglobal economic deceleration. In the latter half of 2007, leading B2Bsattracted exporters and by early 2008, these portals were able to witness anunprecedented demand for premium membership even from the importers,transporters, brokers and international service providers. 

Mostof the premium members were of the opinion that they joined with an intentionof bringing down the expenses incurred in the process of gaining internationalreach through trade shows and other expensive advertising tools. Although,initially their interest was in cost cutting, but today they feel B2Bs are theright comprehensive business tools in any distant trade. The interactive natureof these portals has enabled international businesses to expedite theirbusiness processes. Besides, the traders were able to channel their energytowards potential business deals with fewer work forces.

Usuallywhen the companies participate in trade shows, they have to be present with ahuge contingent to make an impact in these shows. And most of the members inthe team are not hired from outside, and they being away from theirestablishments, in fact have lowered productivity of these companies.  Especially, small and medium businesses havebeen largely affected by unsuccessful attempts made through trade shows. Suchbitter experiences of traders in recent times, to a certain extent have helpedB2Bs to get more exposure in the world of business.

B2Bportals have done a marvelous job for international businesses by not onlybringing down cost of their marketing but also in quick delivery of positiveresults. B2Bs have succeeded in delivering as well as convincing aninternational trader about the business opportunities. After more than a decadeof B2Bs' existence, they are proving to be the most effective and efficientbusiness tool of modern times. Initially they acted as database of businessesaround the world, and now evolved as an ultimate interactive tool in the worldof business. B2Bs have once again become an incredible concept even in times ofglobal economic mess. They are evolving to provide services beyond business tobusiness, some portals have even started offering spaces for expanding atrader's business to other overseas locations. 

Themost interesting finding of the survey was? many traders, who used the portals'premium services, ran their international businesses single handedly withoutseeking any help from ones' employees. A back ground check on premium memberswho participated in the survey revealed, a surprising fact, close to 5 percentof them carried out their businesses alone or as 'one man' business entities.