In B2B commerce, keeping an eye on competitor prices is crucial for staying ahead. However, B2B price monitoring and gathering data is mostly not seamless. Many businesses face the challenge of prices not being displayed on public websites. Most of the time, the prices are protected by a login wall. Does that mean you must manually log in each time you want to monitor market prices?

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This blog discusses the problem and presents a solution for accessing competitor prices hidden behind login-protected B2B portals.

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The Problem of Hidden Prices on B2B Websites

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Many B2B companies choose to hide their prices behind secure login portals regardless if they are selling the same products as you or not. This practice ensures personalised pricing and exclusivity, but it also makes it difficult for other businesses to monitor and compare market prices. Without access to this vital information, businesses struggle to make informed pricing decisions and stay competitive.

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The Solution: Accessing Prices from Secure B2B Websites

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Also Watch the Full Webinar: Implementing Competitive Pricing to Set a Smarter Pricing Process

To overcome the issue of hidden prices, businesses can utilize web scraping technology combined with automated login processes. Here’s how:

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Step 1: Building a B2B Website Scraper

A web scraper is a tool that automates the process of extracting information from websites. For B2B websites with login requirements, the scraper must be able to handle the login process as well. This involves navigating to the website, entering login credentials, and then extracting the necessary pricing data.

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Also Read: 10 Best Competitive Pricing Tools for B2B and B2C Companies

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Step 2: Automating the Login Process

Automation is key to making this solution efficient. By automating the login process, the scraper can regularly access the website, log in using the provided credentials, and retrieve up-to-date pricing information.

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What Do You Need to Find Prices Beyond Login Walls?

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To implement this solution effectively, you will need the following:

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1. URL: The web address of the B2B portal from which you want to scrape pricing information. This is the starting point for your scraper, guiding it to the exact location where the pricing data is stored.

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2. Username and Password: Valid login credentials to access the portal. These credentials allow the scraper to pass through the secure login page and access the data hidden behind it. Ensure that the credentials are kept secure and updated regularly to maintain access.

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3. Technical Expertise: Skills in web scraping and automation to build and maintain the scraper. This includes knowledge of programming languages such as Python, familiarity with libraries like BeautifulSoup or Scrapy, and experience with automation tools like Selenium. If in-house expertise is not available, consider hiring a professional or outsourcing the development to ensure the scraper is built efficiently and securely.

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4. Compliance Awareness: Understanding of the legal and ethical considerations surrounding web scraping. Ensure that the scraping activities comply with the websites' terms of service and relevant data privacy regulations.

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Implementing the Solution

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Incorporating data scraping tools with automated login capabilities involves several key steps. Here’s a more detailed look at the process:

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1. Set Up the Development Environment: Begin by setting up your development environment with the necessary tools and libraries. Install Python, along with libraries such as BeautifulSoup for parsing HTML, Scrapy for web scraping, and Selenium for browser automation.

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2. Create the Scraper Script: Develop a script that navigates to the B2B portal URL. Use Selenium to automate the login process by filling in the username and password fields and submitting the login form.

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3. Handle Post-Login Navigation: Once logged in, configure the scraper to navigate through the portal to locate the pricing data. This may involve following links, clicking buttons, or scrolling through pages.

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4. Extract Pricing Data: Use BeautifulSoup or Scrapy to parse the HTML and extract the relevant pricing information. Store this data in a structured format, such as a CSV file or a database, for easy analysis.

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5. Schedule Regular Scraping: Set up a schedule for the scraper to run at regular intervals, ensuring that you always have the latest pricing data. Use tools like cron jobs on Unix-based systems or Task Scheduler on Windows to automate this process.

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6. Monitor and Maintain the Scraper: Regularly monitor the scraper’s performance to ensure it is functioning correctly. Websites often change their structure, which can break the scraper. Be prepared to update the script as needed to adapt to these changes.

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7. Analyse and Use the Data: Once the data is collected, analyze it to gain insights into competitor pricing strategies. Use this information to adjust your pricing, identify market trends, and make informed business decisions.

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By building a B2B website scraper and automating the login process, you can ensure that you have the pricing data you need to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. With the right tools and expertise, implementing competitive pricing can significantly enhance your ability to monitor and respond to market changes effectively.

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Also Read: How to Implement Competitive Pricing on your Products

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How does SYMSON help Companies Bypass such B2B Price Monitoring Roadblocks and Set Smart Competitive Prices?

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SYMSON's powerful AI-powered technology automatically monitors competitor prices across several platforms. It intelligently analyses and collects pricing data from various sources, even those hidden behind login portals. SYMSON uses online scraping and data aggregation techniques to ensure you get accurate, up-to-date pricing information without having to manually register into each portal.

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However, SYMSON's capabilities do not end with data collection. The application analyses the collected pricing data to provide actionable insights and patterns that will assist you in making smart pricing decisions. SYMSON helps you swiftly uncover pricing patterns, spot anomalies, and comprehend market dynamics, allowing you to adapt your plans in real-time.

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Furthermore, SYMSON's user-friendly dashboard collects all pertinent data in one location, making it simple to compare your costs to competitors. This comprehensive approach allows you to adapt quickly to market developments, optimise your pricing tactics, and keep your competitive advantage.

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With SYMSON, B2B price monitoring becomes a streamlined and efficient operation. You no longer have to manually navigate various portals; instead, you have a powerful tool that provides comprehensive, data-driven insights at your fingertips. Are you ready to revolutionise your price monitoring strategy? Allow SYMSON to lead you through the process and keep you ahead in the competitive B2B landscape.

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