Many merchants want to implement B2B with Shopify, but do not want to invest in the Shopify Plus Enterprise plan. There may be various reasons for this, including the fact that companies do not generate such high sales or that not many customisations are required.
In this article, we will show you how you can implement your B2B shop with Shopify even without Shopify Plus.
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Shopify B2B without Shopify Plus through apps
Even without Shopify Plus, companies can implement B2B e-commerce on Shopify by using various apps and customisations. Although this requires a little more manual work and the use of additional tools, it is still effective.
Companies can use apps to create customised price lists and volume discounts. Password-protected areas can be used to create exclusive wholesale areas. The integration of third-party apps enables the connection with ERP and CRM systems. This method offers flexibility and customisation without the need to upgrade to Shopify Plus. Companies can still utilise many important B2B functions and adapt their shops to the specific needs of their business customers. We'll show you which apps you can use to add B2B functions to your Shopify shop.
Shopify B2B plugin: You can add B2B functions to your shop with these apps
These B2B functions could be relevant for your B2B shop
Customer-specific prices
quantity discounts
order forms
access restriction
customised fields
Tax calculation
Integration and API
Multi-user accounts
Roles and authorisations
Customer-specific catalogues
order history
purchase on account
Various payment methods
Shipping and logistics
data security
SparkLayer B2B & Wholesale
The Shopify app SparkLayer B2B & Wholesale is a specialised solution for companies that want to build a B2B sales channel within their Shopify shop. This app offers features and tools specifically designed to meet the needs of wholesale and business customers.
Features & benefits:
customised price lists and discounts
exclusive access areas
order quantities and minimum order values
simple integration
customisable purchasing processes
reporting and analysis
scalable
Pricing:
14-day free trial
Starter: $49/month, up to 50 B2B orders
Growth: $149/month, up to 100 B2B orders
Pro: $299/month, up to 150 B2B orders
Enterprise: from $499/month, no order limit
Wholesale Order Form & ReOrder
Wholesale Order Form & ReOrder is a useful extension for Shopify merchants who want to enable easy and efficient wholesale sales directly through their online shop. This app focuses on making the ordering process as seamless and user-friendly as possible for wholesale customers.
Features & Benefits:
customised order forms
quick reordering (ReOrder)
customised prices and discounts
integration with inventory management
customised checkout options
reporting and analysis
increased customer satisfaction
scalable
Pricing:
8-day free trial
Basic: $15.99/month
Professional: $19.99/month
Enterprise: $24.99/month
Wholster: Wholesale B2B
The Shopify app Wholster offers a comprehensive solution for companies that want to run a professional wholesale business on their Shopify platform.
Features & Benefits:
B2B dashboard
customised prices
payment terms
receivables management
mass mailing invoices
tax overrides
Pricing:
Basic: Free installation
Standard: $29.99/month
Premium: $99.99/month
Enterprise: $999.99/month
B2B Handsfree
B2B Handsfree offers a simple and efficient solution for B2B customer registration with real-time VAT ID validation and seamless integration with invoicing apps. The customisable registration form allows B2B customers to sign up quickly and easily by providing information such as company name, address, phone number.
Features & benefits:
B2B customer registration with customisable form
real-time VAT ID validation during registration
automatic tax exemption for newly registered B2B customers
assignment of tags for the segmentation of customer groups
integration with Order Printer Templates, Billbee, Sufio and other invoice apps
customisable fields for company name, address, phone number and more
Pricing:
Free version available
Basic: $19/month
Advanced: $29/month
Locksmith
Locksmith offers a powerful solution for managing access rights and controlling content sharing on your Shopify shop.
Features & Benefits:
access control
password protected areas
product locks
event-based release
integrations and automation
flexible
user-friendly
Pricing:
Basic Shopify: $12/month
Shopify: $29/month
Advanced Shopify: $99/month
Shopify Plus: $199/month
The alternative: B2B with Shopify Plus
Shopify B2B is a comprehensive B2B e-commerce solution based on Shopify Plus that enables companies to optimise and scale their business relationships. This solution offers a variety of tools and features designed specifically for B2B sales. Shopify B2B is standardised within Shopify Plus.
With Shopify B2B, companies can create customised price lists, adjust order quantities, set up net 30-day payment terms and design special checkout processes. In addition, Shopify Plus offers advanced API access and automation tools such as Shopify Flow to optimise business processes. Shopify B2B offers a highly customisable and scalable solution for B2B e-commerce. It enables the integration of ERP and CRM systems, the automation of complex business processes and the provision of a seamless shopping experience for business customers.
Reading tip: Shopify B2B: How to open your B2B shop with Shopify Plus.
Shopify B2B vs Shopify B2B without Shopify Plus: the pros and cons
Shopify offers many options for implementing B2B e-commerce even without the Enterprise plan. This offers a cost-effective solution for merchants who have few B2B customers and orders or who would like to test a B2B shop with Shopify first. With the wide range of apps available and the ability to integrate with various third-party tools, the shop can be customised to the specific needs of business customers. To help you decide which of the two options suits you better, we have compared them.
Shopify B2B (with Shopify Plus) | Shopify B2B (without Shopify Plus) | |
---|---|---|
Costs | - more cost-intensive than the regular Shopify plans | - lower monthly fees from €24 |
- from $2,300 per month | - additional costs are only incurred for specific apps and extensions | |
Functions | - extended B2B functions | - no native B2B functions |
- customized price lists | - functional expansion through the use of apps | |
- specific checkout experiences | ||
- advanced automations | ||
- customisation for themes and features as well as headless commerce possible | ||
Scalability | - higher performance and capacity for large B2B orders and traffic | - less suitable for very large B2B businesses |
- management of multiple shops under one account | - page speed can suffer due to high number of apps | |
Support | - exclusive access to dedicated support and account management | - no access to dedicated support |
Conclusion
Overall, it can be said that Shopify B2B can be implemented without Shopify Plus, but merchants are dependent on the use of third-party apps. Shopify merchants using the Basic, Shopify or Shopify Advanced price plans can get an impression of B2B commerce with Shopify and test their B2B shop first.
However, if you want to benefit from flexibility, customisability, scalability or extensive B2B functions, we recommend upgrading to Shopify Plus. This price plan includes all of Shopify's B2B functions as standard and further customisations can be programmed using Shopify Scripts and Functions. This means that nothing stands in the way of scalable B2B operations.
Do you need support with the implementation of your Shopify shop? We are happy to assist you! Simply get in touch with us and we'll talk about your requirements.
Frequently asked questions about Shopify B2B without Shopify Plus
What is Shopify B2B?
Shopify B2B refers to the use of the Shopify platform for B2B commerce, where businesses sell products and services to other businesses.
Do I need Shopify Plus for B2B commerce on Shopify?
No, Shopify Plus is not mandatory to implement B2B on Shopify. The regular Shopify plan already provides a solid foundation with numerous apps in the App Store that have been developed specifically for B2B functionalities.
Which apps in the Shopify App Store are suitable for B2B functions?
There are many apps in the Shopify App Store that are suitable for B2B, including apps for customised pricing, customer group management, payment terms, and more. Examples include ‘Wholesale Order Form & ReOrder’, ‘Locksmith’, and ‘Wholster: Wholesale B2B’.