Hello, this is Paul at Weaverse, a Shopify Hydrogen theme customizer.
After building a bunch of B2B Shopify stores, we quickly saw how different it is from B2C. But there's no clear guide to help developers and merchants align on what needs to be built, what’s essential, and what’s just nice to have. Most of the resources I found are just checklists for top B2B eCommerce platforms, not about building B2B stores.
So, I created one, aiming to keep it as clear and structured as possible.
That said, there's definitely (a lot!) room for improvement. I might have missed some features here and there. This doc is open for your feedback—let’s turn this checklist into a solid open-source resource. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
🧑💻 User Roles and Permission
Quickly sign up (e.g.: one-click signup) and create business accounts with comprehensive profiles and robust account management tools. (Via Customer Account API if your online store is on Shopify)
Customize branding and design across their account pages.
Create and manage different user roles and permissions (e.g.: buyers, managers, admins). Customers can add different users to their accounts and assign specific roles and permissions. This flexibility would allow them to effectively develop workflows aligned with their business processes. (optional)
Allow multiple users to log in under one account, share order histories, and see what everyone in the account is doing.
Each user has their own account but can view Order Histories shared by the managing Company.
Allow multiple users to create their own accounts, but can
Enable sales to place orders on behalf of customers within the admin or the online store.
🗿Self-Service Buying Experience
You don’t want to treat your B2B websites as a catalog and take orders via phone or fax.
The whole point of having an eCommerce B2B website is to simplify the buying process, eliminating the cumbersome steps often found in traditional B2B purchasing. So, you want to ensure the platform supports 24/7 self-serve options for customers to place orders, manage their accounts, and access order history.
This section is designed to align with a simplified version of the shopper's journey on the website.
Search the store for items using SKU, product parts, or fuzzy search.
Fuzzy search allows for misspellings or typos to still yield relevant results (e.g., typing “sprung” will return results for "spring").
Predictive search offers a drop-down with the best matching products, similar to Google.
Shoppers can refine search results by child categories, facets, flags, or tags (e.g., by brand) using checkboxes.
Quick order button on each search result that allows shoppers to add an item to the cart without having to go to the product page.
See up-to-date stock and inventory information.
See prices with GST included or excluded for both B2C and B2B customers.
Sharable product info, ability to email a product page or the info about a product easily to the purchasing team/ other buyer stakeholders.
Easily request quotes for custom products or quantities.
Place bulk orders through CSV file uploads for large-scale transactions.
Have the option to mix and match products to reach the required quantities for wholesale orders. (Optional)
See location-specific information for shipping, tax, and currencies at checkout.
See lead time for made-to-order products.
Vault a credit card for immediate payment or future use.
View order history and tracking - customizable by user roles and permissions.
Save important SKUs to a list for easy finding later.
See a list of SKUs most recently purchased for easy placement of a new order.
Reorder quickly using a previous order to build a new cart and place an order.
Set automatic reordering - support for recurring orders with flexible frequency options.
Set up alerts for order status, stock availability, and promotions.
Backordering capability. Customers can either request an alert when items are back in stock or place a backorder, so the item is automatically shipped once it's available again.
🖼️ Personalization and Customization
Your B2B website should allow you to offer personalized buying experiences, such as custom catalogs, product displays, and pricing.
The checklist below outlines the merchant-side/admin capabilities needed to create these tailored experiences for your shoppers.
📡 Product Display
Create custom forms and checkout fields tailored to specific customer needs and different scenarios.
Provide customized product catalogs for different customers or customer groups.
Define and display how products can be purchased (e.g., by case or unit) and set minimum/maximum order quantities. Rules can vary by customer group.
Add custom flags (e.g., “SALE”, “NEW”) on product images.
Products can appear in multiple categories, with the top category’s URL used for SEO purposes.
Automatic related products/up-selling/cross-selling based on category, flags, or keywords.
Different layouts for product pages and quick order pop-ups based on product types.
Multiple images and PDFs (e.g., instructions, brochures, safety data sheets) on product pages.
Ability to place any component (e.g., videos, accordions, tabs, related product carousels) on product pages.
Optional custom inquiry forms on product pages.
Include item weights in product data to support shipping and fulfillment pricing based on weight.
Ability to hide prices and the add-to-cart button for visitors who are not logged in or belong to restricted groups.
Ability to display custom product information, including but not limited to:
Quantity price break tables.
Recommended retail prices.
Quantity price break percentage savings.
Number of units per pack.
Price per unit (e.g., $2.50 per meter for a 50-meter roll).
Price notes (e.g., “Buy 20 to get a full carton”).
💵 Pricing & Quoting
Offer tiered pricing based on user roles or purchase volume.
Ability to set different MOQs for different customer groups/product categories.
Set quantity thresholds where discounts apply for volume orders, either on a single product or across multiple products.
Schedule sales with specific start and end dates, and apply them to different customer groups.
Issue promotional pricing effectively, such as for overstock or clearance where products need to be moved quickly.
🛫 Checkout & Payment
You almost won your customers - now is the time to make checkout and payment as convenient as possible.
Let your customers pay however they prefer while ensuring payment collection is effortless for you. Here are some payment capabilities you should be looking for.
Support for various payment methods, including credit cards, purchase orders, and bank transfers.
Role-based checkout customization (e.g., approval workflows, specific payment methods).
Payment terms tailored to customers (e.g., due on fulfillment net 30, net 60).
Multi-currency support and tax handling based on customer location.
Shipping options and taxes are calculated at checkout based on customer location.
Divide an order into multiple payments, such as a deposit/balance scenario, or bill in increments over time as needed. (Deposit and balance billing).
Set custom payment terms for each customer, allowing them to buy now and pay later. Easily track which orders are paid, open, or overdue. (Net Terms - Buy Now, Pay Later)
Set credit limits for each account, letting customers buy now and pay later up to the approved amount. (Lines of credit).
Options to get store credit instead of cash refunds to handle returns.
Automated payment reminders and invoice management.
Allows customers to view past orders, payment history, and outstanding payments on orders.
Allows customers to reference PO numbers included on past orders.
Automated payment reminders and invoice management.
Remind customers to return and complete their purchase if they leave items in their cart.
🛳️ Shipping and Delivery
Customizable shipping methods based on customer group.
Advanced shipping cost calculators (e.g., based on size, quantity, or distance).
Click and Collect options with real-time branch stock integration.
Specific delivery date selection.
Shipping options and taxes are calculated at checkout based on customer location.
Accurate delivery updates using data from third-party logistics (3PL) systems.
Support for multiple shipping addresses and "Care of" delivery options.
Real-time tracking information for orders.
Option for automated return processes
🧩 Integration
Integrate with ERP systems for order management and inventory control.
Advanced product information can be pulled from ERP (e.g., product images, specs).
Synchronization of customer data, including pricing, orders, and inventory.
Integrate with Account Receivable automation tools for e-invoice/statements.
Connect with CRM systems to manage customer relationships effectively.
Integrate with third-party logistics (3PL) systems for accurate delivery updates.
Integration with marketing automation tools for better campaign management.
Support for multiple payment gateways to offer flexible payment options.
🔏 Security & Compliance
Granular access controls and user permission management
Meet industry standards in compliance and security (PCI DSS, GDPR, SOC 2)
🍊FAQ: B2B eCommerce Websites and Platforms
What's The Difference Between B2B & B2C eCommerce
B2B eCommerce (Business-to-Business) is where companies sell products or services to other businesses online. While it might sound similar to B2C (Business-to-Consumer) eCommerce, where companies sell directly to individual customers, the two are quite different. Here’s why:
Buyer Motivation:
B2C: Buyers are driven by emotions, brand loyalty, and instant gratification. Think about buying a new pair of shoes because you like how they look.
B2B: Buyers are focused on practicality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term value. For example, a company purchasing office supplies will consider the best price, quality, and vendor reliability.
Transaction Complexity:
B2C: Transactions are usually straightforward, involving a single payment and shipping address.
B2B: Transactions are more complex, often requiring customized pricing, bulk orders, multiple approvals, and extended payment terms.
Decision-Making Process:
B2C: Decisions are often made quickly, sometimes impulsively.
B2B: Decisions involve multiple stakeholders and a thorough evaluation process, focusing on what will benefit the business in the long run.
Platform Features:
B2C: Platforms prioritize user-friendly interfaces, quick checkout processes, and personalized marketing.
B2B: Platforms need to support features like role-based access, advanced search, bulk ordering, and integration with ERP systems.
What Are The Most Best B2B eCommerce Platforms?
Magento Commerce
Why it’s great: Magento is known for its flexibility and extensive customization options. It’s a powerful platform that supports complex pricing models, multiple storefronts, and robust integrations with ERP and CRM systems. Magento is ideal for large enterprises that need a highly customizable solution.
Who it’s for: Best suited for large/enterprise businesses with specific needs and the technical capability to manage and customize the platform.
Limitations: Magento’s flexibility comes at a cost—it's resource-intensive. Setting up and maintaining a Magento store requires significant technical expertise and a strong IT team, which can be a barrier for smaller businesses. Additionally, it can be costly, both in terms of initial setup and ongoing maintenance.
OroCommerce
Why it’s great: OroCommerce is built specifically for B2B eCommerce, offering features like multi-organization management, personalized catalogs, and advanced workflow automation. It also provides a strong focus on account management, which is critical in B2B environments.
Who it’s for: Designed for mid to large-sized businesses looking for a platform with a strong B2B focus.
Limitations: While powerful, OroCommerce can be overwhelming due to its complexity. It’s best suited for mid to large-sized businesses with the resources to manage its extensive features. The learning curve can be steep, and the platform may be overkill for smaller or simpler B2B operations.
Shopify Plus
Why it’s great: Shopify Plus combines ease of use with powerful B2B features, including seamless integration with major ERP systems and support for complex pricing models. It’s highly scalable and flexible, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes, and it doesn’t require extensive technical know-how to manage.
Who it’s for: Ideal for businesses that want a balance between ease of use and advanced features without needing extensive technical resources.
Limitations: Shopify Plus, while easy to use, has limitations in terms of customization compared to platforms like Magento. Businesses with highly specific needs may find Shopify Plus less flexible. Additionally, transaction fees and app costs can add up, making it more expensive as your business scales.
BigCommerce
Why it’s great: BigCommerce offers robust B2B capabilities, including advanced search functions, bulk pricing, and multi-storefront management. Its strong API allows easy integration with other business tools, which is a big plus for tech-savvy businesses.
Limitations: BigCommerce, while powerful, can be less intuitive for non-technical users. The platform's built-in features are strong, but the limited selection of third-party apps compared to Shopify may require custom development to meet specific needs, potentially increasing costs.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Why it’s great: Salesforce Commerce Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of B2B features, including AI-driven personalization, powerful customer insights, and seamless integration with Salesforce’s CRM. It’s perfect for businesses that are already using Salesforce and want to leverage its full ecosystem.
Who it’s for: Best for businesses that are deeply invested in the Salesforce ecosystem and need a platform that integrates tightly with their existing CRM.
Limitations: Salesforce Commerce Cloud can be expensive, particularly for small to mid-sized businesses. It’s also highly complex, requiring significant time and expertise to implement and manage. Companies not already invested in the Salesforce ecosystem might find this platform unnecessarily complicated and costly.
What Are The Common Features of B2B eCommerce Website?
Customized Pricing and Catalog Management:
Why it matters: B2B transactions often involve negotiated pricing and exclusive product catalogs. Unlike B2C, where prices are usually fixed and visible to everyone, B2B platforms must support contract-based pricing, volume discounts, and even personalized product catalogs based on the customer’s profile.
How it works: The platform should allow businesses to create custom price lists and catalogs for different clients or business units. This level of personalization helps cater to the unique needs of each customer, ensuring they see only what’s relevant to them.
Bulk Ordering and Quick Reordering:
Why it matters: Businesses often purchase in large quantities, and they need a quick way to reorder the same items regularly. The ability to handle bulk orders seamlessly is crucial for B2B eCommerce.
How it works: Features like multi-SKU cart additions and one-click reordering streamline the purchasing process, making it easier for businesses to manage their inventories without hassle.
Account Management and User Roles:
Why it matters: B2B platforms often serve large organizations with multiple departments and decision-makers. Different users within a company may have different roles and permissions.
How it works: The platform should allow for role-based access control, meaning different users can have different permissions based on their role within the company. For example, a procurement officer might place orders, while a financial controller approves them.