Title: A Comprehensive Guide to Setting Up Shopify’s Native B2B Features on Non-Plus Stores
As e-commerce continues to evolve, businesses are increasingly looking for solutions to cater to both retail and wholesale customers. Recently, I explored the native B2B capabilities on Shopify, specifically within stores that operate on the Basic plan. My findings revealed that only a small fraction—about one in ten—of these stores had access to the feature necessary for creating B2B markets. For those fortunate enough to have access, I’ve compiled a detailed setup guide to successfully implement B2B functionalities in your Shopify store.
Understanding Shopify B2B Features
Shopify’s B2B features are typically geared towards businesses on the Shopify Plus plan, which offers extensive customization and integration options. However, there is a growing interest in making these tools accessible to non-Plus merchants as well. Unfortunately, during my assessment, I discovered that many Basic plan users lack the essential tools to create B2B markets tailored to specific company locations, a critical requirement in establishing a wholesale trading environment.
For merchants who do not have access to the native options, I recommend reaching out to Shopify support for guidance. They may suggest utilizing third-party applications such as Clay B2B Wholesale, Wholesale Gorilla, or Sparklayer.
For those who do have access to B2B capabilities, here are the steps to set up your B2B market effectively:
Step 1: Create a B2B Market
Begin by navigating to Settings → Markets in your Shopify dashboard. Here, you can create a new market specifically for B2B transactions. Unlike traditional markets where regions may be selected, focus on specifying individual company locations; this distinction is what categorizes your market as B2B.
Step 2: Create a B2B Catalog
Next, proceed to Products → Catalogs to establish a new product catalog. In this section, you will need to:
- Select the products you want to offer at wholesale prices.
- Determine the pricing structure, either by applying a formula (e.g., providing a 10% discount off retail prices) or by assigning individual prices for each product.
Once your catalog is prepared, make sure to link it to the B2B market you created in Step 1.
Step 3: Create a B2B Customer
This step involves several key tasks to ensure your customers are able to access the B2B offerings:
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Address Verification: Make sure that each customer has a registered address. This is crucial since Shopify utilizes this information to automatically create a company location for the customer.
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Company Creation: For each B2B customer, you will need to create a company profile. Go to Customers → Companies to either add them individually or take advantage of Shopify’s bulk company creation feature for efficiency.
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Link Company to B2B Market: Return to the B2B market you created in Step 1 and add the new company location. Once this linkage is established, the associated customer will be recognized as a B2B customer and gain access to wholesale pricing from your B2B catalog.
Additional Considerations for B2B Customers
B2B customers can log into your store similarly to retail shoppers. Additionally, you have the flexibility to set net payment terms and manage orders as draft orders through individual company settings, enhancing the overall experience for your wholesale clientele.
By following these steps, merchants on non-Plus Shopify plans can leverage the available B2B features to expand their business offerings and enhance customer satisfaction. For those who lack access, exploring third-party applications could be a viable alternative to bridge this gap. As always, keeping open lines of communication with Shopify support can greatly aid in navigating the options available for your store.
