How to Choose The Best B2B Ecommerce Platforms for Your Businesses

12 min read

Business-to-business (B2B) companies operate differently than business-to-consumer (B2C) companies. This is true in how they market their products, their business strategies, and where they sell. For B2B companies that conduct business online, choosing the right ecommerce platform is also very important.

But what are the top B2B ecommerce platforms? And how should a B2B ecommerce platform differ from a B2C platform? Here is everything you should know when choosing the best B2B ecommerce platform for your business.

What is a B2B Ecommerce Platform?

Ecommerce platforms enable businesses to create online stores, sell products, share content, and connect with customers online. A B2B ecommerce platform is an ecommerce platform that is designed for B2B companies. Clients of a B2B ecommerce platform can be wholesalers, manufacturers, distributors, or any other type of B2B company.

Some of the best ecommerce platforms for B2B have features for both B2B and B2C companies. Others, however, are dedicated primarily to B2B clients.

So what sets a B2B ecommerce platform apart? Here’s a look at some of the most essential B2B ecommerce platform features to look for.

How to Choose a B2B Ecommerce Platform?

Cost

As with any business decision, the cost to use any B2B platform will be a significant factor to consider. Most ecommerce platforms have structured payment plans with prices and feature availability changing from one platform to the next.

Some platforms may charge a flat monthly fee, while others charge small fees based on specific features. Regardless of your platform or package, your B2B ecommerce platform should fit your budget while providing everything you need.

When looking at B2B ecommerce platform costs, it’s also important to look ahead to the future. How will your ecommerce platform keep up with your changing needs as your business expands?

Some platforms might be more affordable upfront but have less to offer if you want to grow your business. Others might significantly raise their costs for more advanced features, limiting your growth potential.

Security

Digital security is critically important for all companies in today’s modern business environment. For B2B companies, security is often the top priority. Top-notch security is often crucial when securing clients’ trust and turning relationships into long-standing business partnerships.

Many of the top B2B ecommerce platforms offer advanced security protection. But others have tighter security than the competition. This should be one of the leading B2B ecommerce platform features companies look at when choosing a platform. Your platform’s security will be necessary for protecting your data and your client’s financial data.

This means things like financial and banking information, as well as fraud protection and administrative security. B2B ecommerce platform security is vital for your company’s reputation and day-to-day operations.

Payment processing

Whether you’re a manufacturer, distributor, or wholesaler, payment processing is integral to your operations. Some companies, particularly wholesalers, function both as B2B and B2C companies. This can require multiple payment processing methods on your online store.

Some B2B ecommerce platforms are more limited than others regarding accepted payment methods. Though credit card and bank payment processing are enough for most payments, these are not the only options. Some customers may rely on other payment methods. Having the option to provide multiple options never hurts.

Recently, payment methods like Apple Pay, PayPal, and Google Pay have become more commonplace. Additionally, the ability to seamlessly process international payments can be crucial for B2B companies. Many manufacturers rely on overseas clients for a significant portion of their business. Finding a B2B ecommerce platform that easily integrates multiple currencies and facilitates international transactions can be a considerable asset.

Pricing and inventory options

B2B businesses have different inventory needs than B2C businesses. Manufacturers and distributors tend to sell their products in bulk rather than unit by unit. The best B2B ecommerce platforms for manufacturers should be able to adapt to these order management and fulfillment needs.

For B2B businesses, clients want to be able to purchase inventory in a timely and hassle-free manner. The more smoothly your platform can facilitate bulk orders, the better.

This also includes delivery and order fulfillment methods. Many B2B ecommerce platforms have their own built-in delivery management tools. For B2B companies, the ability to handle large orders and international shipments can be crucial.

Adaptability

If you’re new to ecommerce or your business is creating a new online store, having a flexible B2B ecommerce platform matters. If your online storefront is successful, you’ll likely want to expand, adding new inventory and support features. Finding an ecommerce platform that makes it easier to grow can make a huge difference.

For example, your ecommerce platform should be able to easily accommodate catalog expansion if you plan to add new items to your inventory. Some platforms might also place annual caps on how much your store can sell within a payment plan. This can be too restrictive for companies that plan to proliferate.

Regardless of what you are looking for, it always pays to consider the future when choosing an ecommerce platform. Pay attention to more than simply the features you need today.

Where do you envision your company going in the next 1-2 years? What features will you need at that point? Let these questions guide your decision-making if you are unsure about your B2B ecommerce platform.

B2B Ecommerce Platform Comparison

If you’re unsure where to begin your search for the best ecommerce platform for B2B companies, don’t worry. Here are a few B2B ecommerce platform examples, with some highlights for each top platform.

Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce, formerly Magento, is a trusted name with a few great B2B ecommerce platform features. This platform is best suited for medium to large-size businesses.

For instance, one of its unique features allows users to manage multiple branded storefronts from a single account. This is a valuable feature for a company that operates various brands but is unlikely to have utility for small businesses.

However, for B2B businesses with an extensive portfolio and international customer base, Adobe Commerce is a good option. Pricing for the platform is quote-based, meaning companies need to contact the platform directly to receive an individual payment plan.

It is pricier than most B2B ecommerce platforms, but that is because it’s designed with large companies in mind.

OpenCart

OpenCart is a free, open-source B2B ecommerce platform. Being open source means users have much greater customization options on the platform than its competitors. However, this requires more hands-on web development, so it may not be the best option for everyone.

But if you are comfortable with a more involved process, OpenCart is a good platform. It is a handy B2B ecommerce platform for manufacturers and distributors because it works with multiple currencies and languages. This makes it a highly accommodating platform for companies with many international clients.

OpenCart is also one of the few free B2B ecommerce platforms available. Users pay no monthly or annual subscription fees to use OpenCart. However, many extensions and plug-ins do require fees. As a result, the cost of using this platform depends entirely on what your company needs.

Shift4Shop

Shift4Shop, formerly 3dcart, is a dedicated B2B ecommerce platform that strives to provide B2B shoppers with a “B2C-like” experience. Shift4Shop strongly emphasizes the user experience of its B2B clients.

The platform includes features like saved shopping carts, streamlined ordering processes, and flexible payment options. Custom wholesale pricing is also an excellent feature for wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers.

Another unique feature of Shift4Shop is its pricing. Companies that process over $500 in monthly sales can use the platform for free. Shift4Shop is built with wholesale distributors in mind. While it is great for facilitating a high sales volume, it is more limited in terms of design and content marketing features.

Shopify

Shopify is one of the largest ecommerce platforms for both B2C and B2B businesses. The main selling points for Shopify are its user-friendly website-building interface and excellent security. Users can customize their online store, in both design and functionality, however, they want with Shopify. And being one of the largest ecommerce platforms in the world, Shopify also offers excellent customer support.

Shopify even lets users create separate online storefronts for B2B and B2C stores. This can be a very convenient feature for wholesalers in particular. While Shopify has much to offer, it is pricier than other platforms. The platform’s cheapest plan starts at $39 per month, with its next plan jumping to $105 per month.

Ecwid

Ecwid is an ecommerce platform for all businesses. From small to large companies and both B2B and B2C businesses, Ecwid is flexible enough to work for anyone. As a B2B ecommerce platform, Ecwid offers essential tools like organized customer groups, extensive inventory management, and advanced checkout options.

Ecwid even has features specifically designed for wholesale businesses, such as bulk pricing and special coupon offers.

Ecwid is also one of the most affordable B2B ecommerce platforms available. It is one of the few free-to-use platforms available. Unlike OpenCart, however, users do not pay per widget or extension. Ecwid uses stratified monthly plans.

Choose Ecwid For Your Business

Want to see if Ecwid is the best B2B ecommerce platform for your business? Start building your online store with Ecwid today.

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Mar 15, 2023

About the author

Max has been working in the ecommerce industry for the last six years helping brands to establish and level-up content marketing and SEO. Despite that, he has experience with entrepreneurship. He is a fiction writer in his free time.