Top 8 B2B Ecommerce Websites Customized for Small Companies

In the fast-paced arena of modern business, establishing a robust online presence is paramount, even for small enterprises. As B2B Ecommerce continues to reshape traditional trade, a new wave of platforms is emerging to cater specifically to small companies. Navigating this sea of options can be daunting, but fear not – our comprehensive guide is here to illuminate the path ahead. Join us as we navigate through a curated selection of top 8 B2B Ecommerce websites that have been fine-tuned to suit the unique requirements of small businesses.

From intuitive interfaces to seamless transaction experiences, these platforms offer a range of features designed to give small companies a competitive edge. Join us as we uncover the power of tailored B2B Ecommerce solutions and discover how these platforms can play a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of small businesses.

Table of Contents

• What are business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce websites?
• B2B ecommerce websites vs. business-to-consumer (B2C) websites
  • Contract pricing
  • Quote management
  • Bulk purchasing options
  • Shopping cart sharing
  • Automatic reordering options
• 8 Popular B2B ecommerce websites
  • 1. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)
  • 2. Shopify Plus
  • 3. Amazon Business
  • 4. Alibaba
  • 5. WooCommerce
  • 6. Salesforce B2B Commerce
  • 7. Mercateo
  • 8. OroCommerce
• Conclusion

What are business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce websites?

Business-to-business (B2B) ecommerce websites are online platforms where businesses engage in buying and selling goods, products, and services exclusively to other businesses.

Unlike business-to-consumer (B2C) ecommerce, which focuses on transactions between businesses and individual consumers, B2B ecommerce centers on facilitating transactions between two or more businesses. These websites provide a digital marketplace where companies can browse, compare, and purchase various products and services to meet their operational needs.

B2B ecommerce platforms often offer specialized features such as bulk ordering, negotiated pricing, customizable catalogs, and streamlined procurement processes to cater to the specific requirements of businesses. These platforms aim to enhance efficiency, convenience, and accessibility for businesses seeking to procure supplies, materials, and services from a diverse range of suppliers within their industry.

B2B ecommerce websites vs. business-to-consumer (B2C) websites

B2C and B2B ecommerce websites share commonalities and distinctions shaped by their audiences and transaction dynamics.

B2C sites cater to individual consumers, while B2B platforms exclusively target businesses for bulk purchases. B2B transactions involve negotiation, multi-step approvals, and a longer buying process. B2B relationships are more enduring and personalized, whereas B2C interactions are transactional.

B2C pricing is fixed, whereas B2B pricing is flexible and tailored to factors like volume. B2B products are often complex and require detailed specifications. Catalogs on B2B sites are customized for business needs, unlike standardized B2C catalogs.

In essence, B2C and B2B ecommerce differ in audience, transaction process, relationships, pricing, product complexity, and catalog structure.

Although B2B and B2C websites target different groups, they do have some similarities. Both B2C and B2B online shops:

• Have easy-to-use designs
• Use SEO and tactics to boost sales
• Show clear product info
• Give rewards and coupons
• Take various payment methods

Because businesses buy things differently and need more from sellers, B2B online shops need extra features. These often include contract pricing, quote management, bulk purchasing options, shopping cart sharing and automatic recording options functions.

Contract pricing

While B2C websites might sometimes change their prices, they usually keep them the same for everyone. In contrast, B2B online shops need more advanced pricing systems. Prices on B2B sites can be different based on contracts and customers. For example, long-time customers might get discounts that new customers can’t access.

Certain B2B ecommerce platforms have built-in contract pricing. This lets you organize customers and offer various price levels to different groups of customers.

Quote management

In B2B buying, requests for quotes (RFQs) are important. Instead of relying on set prices, many businesses ask for personalized quotes that match their specific needs. They might ask multiple suppliers for quotes before choosing one.

B2B ecommerce sites can help your customers request quotes for your products or services. They might offer online tools to generate quotes or submit requests. Some even let you receive and respond to these requests on their platform.

Bulk purchasing options

Businesses often buy things in large quantities. A good B2B website should let customers easily place big orders. They can also include pricing that gets cheaper as you buy more. For instance, if you sell custom-colored socks, buying more pairs might make each pair cost less.

Shopping cart sharing

B2C and B2B ecommerce websites handle two different types of buying processes. B2C buying is simple: a customer sees a product, wants it, and buys it. B2B buying is more complex. Businesses often decide together and may need approval from multiple parties before buying.

Shopping cart sharing and approval workflows on B2B websites make it simpler for businesses to plan, review, approve, and finish purchases.

Automatic reordering options

Businesses frequently need to reorder supplies. For instance, if your business supplies tailor shops with zippers and buttons, those tailors might want to reorder every six months. Allowing clients to reorder automatically through your online store saves time and helps you keep customers by making things easier for them.

8 Popular B2B ecommerce websites

1. Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)

Operated by the Magento engine, Adobe Commerce seamlessly merges exceptional performance with robust security, catering adeptly to expansive B2B scenarios. It excels in providing omnichannel experiences that span both B2C and B2B realms, all under the umbrella of a single, integrated platform.

Similar to WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce (previously recognized as Magento) operates as an open-source ecommerce solution. Adobe Commerce drives a user base exceeding 270,000 websites and manages transactions totaling more than $100 billion in gross merchandise each year. The platform’s emphasis on B2B transactions encompasses:

• Establishment of company accounts and customer clusters
• Self-service customer portals
• Streamlined purchasing workflows
• Functionality for requesting quotes (RFQ)
• Options for deferred payments
• Advanced analytics capabilities
• Automated reordering facilitated by an extension

For smaller businesses with fiscal constraints, Magento Open Source presents a cost-free and open-source alternative. It further enables the leverage of supplementary Magento extensions and functionalities, enhancing your B2B website. As your enterprise gears up for growth, transitioning seamlessly to Adobe Commerce provides access to advanced features, unleashing boundless potential for your business’s evolution.

2. Shopify Plus

Whether you’re looking to introduce wholesale capabilities to your current online retail store or establish a dedicated B2B website, Shopify offers a unified solution for both. Within the realm of B2B on Shopify, you’ll find all the familiar ecommerce features, enhanced with essential wholesale functionalities necessary for effective online B2B selling.

Shopify Plus, the B2B side of Canadian-based Shopify, is designed for businesses operating in both B2C and B2B spaces. Key features of Shopify Plus include:

• Personalized customer profiles and checkout flows.
• Custom price lists for various buyers or accounts.
• Vast customization and expandability via Shopify’s App Store.
• Adjustable payment terms for each account.

To reduce complications, the B2B aspect of Shopify seamlessly integrates with prominent enterprise resource planning (ERP) providers like Acumatica, Brightpearl, and NetSuite. It’s also designed for integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems and a vast array of business applications, totaling over a thousand options. This allows you to effortlessly incorporate existing business tools and maintain streamlined operations.

Given Shopify’s existing reputation for offering a secure and dependable platform, its involvement in your business enhances its overall credibility, a crucial factor during the brand-building process.

3. Amazon Business

Amazon requires no formal introduction. Even though Amazon doesn’t precisely match the characteristics of the other platforms mentioned, in line with B2B eCommerce trends, there’s an anticipated rise in B2B sales through online marketplaces like Amazon.

Amazon operates as an internet marketplace and is the dominant ecommerce platform in the United States. Monthly, Amazon’s sites attract more than 197 million active users, generating yearly sales surpassing $300 billion.

Incorporating a B2B facet, known as Amazon Business, this platform extends multi-user accounts, approval pathways, and invoice-based payment solutions. Similar to Alibaba, Amazon serves diverse sectors, delivering virtual shop fronts and product pages.

For Amazon Business’s fundamental package priced at $40 per month (in addition to referral fees ranging from 8% to 45% of item value), the following features are offered:

• Invoice-based payment system
• Approval workflows
• Multi-user accounts
• Segmentation of customers into groups
• Access to a fulfillment network
• Online store capabilities
• Opportunities for wholesale pricing
• Virtual dashboard and comprehensive product data analysis
• Ability to receive and respond to quotes
• Automatic reordering functionality

4. Alibaba

Alibaba stands as a Chinese-based online marketplace and B2B ecommerce website. It holds the title of the world’s largest ecommerce venue for small businesses, catering to various industries by offering both raw materials and finished goods to buyers.

With a global reach spanning 240 countries and a user base exceeding 18 million, Alibaba serves as an excellent option for small to medium-sized enterprises involved in overseas trade and cross-border commerce.

Alibaba’s offerings include a 30-day window of free product listings and provision of both a storefront and product pages for its members. For B2B sellers, a range of plans is available: standard, extended, and premium. Higher-tier plans offer increased spending on keyword advertisements and more comprehensive account management services.

Enhanced features are also available, such as gold and verified supplier badges, which allow for showcasing 10 and 40 products respectively. These badges come with additional perks like research and development support and quality control.

In terms of cost, Alibaba’s standard plan requires a $3,500 annual fee and provides:

• Unlimited product listings
• Online stores
• Analytics dashboard
• Built-in CRM
• Keyword insights
• Quotation acceptance and response capabilities
• Wholesale pricing opportunities

5. WooCommerce

Transform your WordPress website into an ecommerce store optimized for both B2C and B2B clientele. By incorporating the WooCommerce B2B extension, you gain access to advanced functionalities and increased adaptability for effectively managing your wholesale division.

WooCommerce functions as an open-source ecommerce platform and is the preferred commerce plugin for WordPress websites. As of 2022, 29% of the top million ecommerce sites accessed WooCommerce.

With WooCommerce, you can establish online stores, access a mobile application, and accommodate diverse payment methods. Differing from Amazon Business and Alibaba, WooCommerce doesn’t establish distinct storefronts within a larger marketplace. Instead, it seamlessly integrates with WordPress, enabling the creation of separate online stores.

WooCommerce operates on an open-source model, wherein the primary plugin is available at no cost. The B2B extension carries a $70 charge for a lifetime license. With WooCommerce B2B, you gain access to:

• Customer segmentation
• Discounts based on volume
• Wholesale pricing options
• Request for Quote (RFQ) functionality
• Advanced tax management features
• Efficient shipping management
• Integration with WordPress
• Automated reordering capabilities

6. Salesforce B2B Commerce

Launch your B2B ecommerce website swiftly and expedite market entry. Salesforce accelerates business growth by enhancing B2B efficiency and cultivating seamless omnichannel interactions for your clientele.

Elevate effectiveness by amalgamating your applications, data, processes, and systems crucial for B2B operations management. Access the Salesforce dashboard for a comprehensive customer overview, fostering better understanding of their requirements. Salesforce enables the provision of B2C shopping experiences to enhance the appeal of B2B transactions. It offers access to practical features like custom catalogs, swift reordering, contract-based pricing, and other tools that simplify the intricacies of B2B shopping.

Harnessing Salesforce, you forge enduring B2B relationships by delivering interconnected customer experiences. Harmonize the buyer journey by engaging clients across each interaction point. Leverage data analytics to offer purchasing suggestions and guide their path. Elevate customer retention rates through consistent connectivity and delivery of pertinent content.

With these capabilities at your disposal, Salesforce B2B commerce empowers tailored alignment of your B2B platform with your business and customer needs.

7. Mercateo

Mercateo serves as an ecommerce procurement platform that offers items from validated suppliers. Based in Munich, Germany, Mercateo isn’t presently accessible to businesses or sellers in the United States.

Differing from platforms like Amazon and Alibaba, where business proprietors must establish B2B stores within their domains, Mercateo directly links supplier catalogs to its centralized interface. This unique approach enables businesses to sell products without the necessity of creating separate online stores.

Key features provided by Mercateo include:

• Supplier memberships without charges
• Absence of seller ranking system
• Tailored contract pricing for businesses
• Single-creditor choices
• Provision of analytics and reporting tools

8. OroCommerce

Initiate your digital evolution using the unified B2B ecommerce and CRM platform, OroCommerce. The platform features ready-to-use elements and agile functionalities that facilitate the creation of a sleek and contemporary B2B sales environment. The user-friendly interface empowers you to design and launch your B2B website, all while minimizing development expenses.

OroCommerce serves as an open-source B2B ecommerce solution catering to mid-market and enterprise entities, encompassing distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers, and extensive retailers.

OroCommerce facilitates the incorporation of around 80% of B2B functionalities, with the flexibility to customize the remaining 20% using open-source tools and dynamic APIs, all without incurring additional charges.

Key features of OroCommerce include:

• Promotions management
• Multiple price lists
• Content management system

Conclusion

In a landscape driven by digital transformation, the realm of B2B ecommerce has witnessed a remarkable evolution. Small companies are no longer limited by their scale when it comes to leveraging sophisticated online platforms for their business needs. The top 8 B2B ecommerce websites tailored for small companies offer an array of solutions to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and expand market reach.

From the dynamic simplicity of Shopify Plus to the intricate capabilities of Magento, these platforms provide diverse avenues to engage B2B customers, foster growth, and thrive in a competitive market. The comprehensive features, customer-centric interfaces, and adaptability showcased by these platforms underscore their commitment to empowering small companies on their journey towards success.

As we navigate the intricate world of B2B ecommerce, the curated list of platforms mentioned in this article serves as a guide, illuminating the possibilities and opportunities that await small companies in their pursuit of online excellence. Embracing these platforms not only propels small businesses into the digital era but also ensures a seamless integration into the B2B ecommerce landscape, enabling them to flourish on a global scale.