How to Create a B2B Shopify Store

Building a B2B (Business-to-Business) store on Shopify can open new revenue streams and cater to wholesale customers. Shopify provides a robust platform to create a seamless B2B shopping experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a B2B Shopify store.

Step 1: Choose the Right Shopify Plan

Before setting up your B2B store, choose the right Shopify plan that supports the features you need. Shopify Plus is recommended for B2B stores due to its advanced features and scalability, but you can start with Shopify or Advanced Shopify based on your requirements.

Key Features:

• Shopify Plus: Advanced customization, dedicated account management, and scalability.
• Advanced Shopify: Lower transaction fees and advanced report building.

Step 2: Set Up Your Shopify Store

A. Create a Shopify Account

1. Sign Up: Go to Shopify and sign up for an account.
2. Select a Plan: Choose a plan that suits your business needs.

B. Configure Basic Settings

1. Store Details: Enter your store name, address, and contact information.
2. Payment Gateways: Set up payment gateways to accept payments from wholesale customers.
3. Shipping Settings: Configure shipping rates and methods suitable for bulk orders.

Step 3: Design Your Store

A. Choose a Theme

Select a theme that suits a B2B store. Shopify’s Theme Store offers various themes, and you can customize them to fit your brand.

B. Customize Your Theme

1. Homepage: Highlight your best-selling products, bulk order forms, and special offers.
2. Navigation: Simplify navigation with clear categories for different product types or industries.
3. Product Pages: Include detailed product descriptions, pricing tiers, and bulk order options.

Step 4: Set Up Wholesale Pricing

Wholesale pricing is crucial for B2B stores. Shopify Plus offers a wholesale channel, but you can use apps if you’re on a lower-tier plan.

A. Using Shopify Plus Wholesale Channel

1. Enable Wholesale Channel: In your Shopify admin, go to “Sales Channels” and add the wholesale channel.
2. Create Price Lists: Set up custom pricing for different customer groups.
3. Manage Customers: Invite wholesale customers and assign them to appropriate price lists.

B. Using Wholesale Apps

If you’re not on Shopify Plus, use apps like:

• Wholesale Club: Manage wholesale pricing and customer groups.
• Bold Custom Pricing: Offer tiered pricing and volume discounts.

Step 5: Customize the Customer Experience

A. Create Custom Registration Forms

Use apps like Customer Fields to create custom registration forms for wholesale customers. Approve registrations manually to verify business credentials.

B. Offer Net Payment Terms

Allow wholesale customers to place orders and pay later using apps like Wholesale Gorilla.

C. Provide Bulk Order Forms

Simplify the ordering process with bulk order forms using apps like Quick Order by SolverCircle or Order Form by Wholesale Helper.

Step 6: Set Up Marketing and Sales Channels

A. Email Marketing

Use email marketing to keep your wholesale customers informed about new products, discounts, and promotions. Apps like Klaviyo can help manage your email campaigns.

B. Integrate with Marketplaces

Expand your reach by integrating your Shopify store with B2B marketplaces like Alibaba or Amazon Business.

C. SEO Optimization

Optimize your store for search engines to attract more B2B customers. Focus on industry-specific keywords and create valuable content related to your products.

Step 7: Manage Orders and Inventory

A. Inventory Management

Keep track of inventory levels to ensure you can fulfill large orders. Use apps like TradeGecko or Stocky for advanced inventory management.

B. Order Management

Streamline your order management process with apps like Order Printer for printing invoices and packing slips, and ShipStation for shipping automation.

Step 8: Provide Excellent Customer Support

A. Dedicated Support

Offer dedicated support for your wholesale customers. Provide a separate contact email or phone number for B2B inquiries.

B. Live Chat and Helpdesk

Use live chat and helpdesk apps like Gorgias or Zendesk to provide instant support and resolve customer issues quickly.

Step 9: Analyze and Optimize

A. Analytics and Reporting

Use Shopify’s built-in analytics or apps like Google Analytics and Klaviyo to track your store’s performance. Focus on metrics like customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, and order frequency.

B. Gather Feedback

Collect feedback from your wholesale customers to understand their needs and improve your service. Use surveys and reviews to gather insights.

Conclusion

Creating a B2B Shopify store involves setting up a robust platform tailored to wholesale customers. By choosing the right plan, designing a user-friendly store, setting up wholesale pricing, and providing excellent customer support, you can build a successful B2B eCommerce business. Continuously analyze your performance and optimize your processes to ensure long-term growth and customer satisfaction.

Ready to take your e-commerce business to the next level? We’re here to help you succeed in the digital marketplace. Whether you’re looking to launch a new online store or optimize an existing one, our team at 247Commerce has the expertise and solutions to meet your needs.

Email: hey@247commerce.co.uk

Phone: +44 20 4547 9292