Optimizing Shopify for B2B Sales: Hidden Features and Workarounds
Optimizing Shopify for B2B Sales: Hidden Features and Workarounds
Introduction
Shopify is traditionally known for B2C (business-to-consumer) eCommerce. But what if you want to sell wholesale or cater to B2B buyers?
Good news: with a few tweaks and some lesser-known features, you can turn your Shopify store into a B2B powerhouse—no expensive wholesale platform needed (unless you want one).
In this blog, you’ll discover how to optimize Shopify for B2B sales using hidden features, clever workarounds, and free tools.
Why Shopify for B2B?
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✅ Modern, easy-to-use interface
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✅ Tons of integrations (payment, invoicing, logistics)
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✅ Scalability with Shopify Plus
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🚫 But: lacks native wholesale pricing and customer segmentation out of the box (unless on Plus)
1. Enable Customer Accounts and Tag B2B Buyers
Go to:
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Shopify Admin > Settings > Customer accounts
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Enable Classic or New customer accounts
Then:
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Tag customers as
wholesale,dealer,distributor, etc. -
Use Liquid conditions in your theme to show/hide B2B content based on tags.
💡 Example:
{% if customer.tags contains 'wholesale' %}
<p>Your wholesale pricing is activated.</p>
{% endif %}
2. Use Shopify Discounts as Volume-Based Pricing
Set up automatic discounts based on order quantity or cart value.
Example:
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Buy 10+ items = 10% off
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Spend ₹10,000+ = 15% off
This is a basic substitute for tiered pricing, ideal for small B2B use.
3. Add Custom Order Forms (B2B-Style)
Use free form builder tools like Shopify Forms or Google Forms embedded into pages for:
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Bulk ordering
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Quick reorder
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Dealer registration
Advanced workaround:
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Use Line Item Properties to let customers input quantities or customizations per product.
4. Create a Hidden Wholesale Section
Set up a separate collection or navigation menu that only tagged customers can access.
Steps:
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Create a new page or collection
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Use Liquid to restrict access:
{% if customer.tags contains 'wholesale' %}
<!-- Show wholesale products -->
{% else %}
<p>This section is for authorized resellers only.</p>
{% endif %}
5. Invoice or PO-Based Checkout (With Shopify Plus or Apps)
If you're on Shopify Plus, use Shopify Scripts or Flow to:
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Offer net payment terms
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Allow PO numbers at checkout
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Customize checkout based on customer type
If not on Plus, you can:
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Use Manual Payment Methods (e.g., "Bank Transfer", "Pay Later")
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Use apps like Wholesale Lock Manager, Quick Order, or B2B Login/Lock Access
6. Automate Customer Segmentation with Shopify Flow (Plus Only)
Example Flow:
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Trigger: Order created
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Condition: Order value > ₹50,000
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Action: Tag customer as “B2B Elite”
This helps automate customer classification, discounts, and special experiences.
7. Offer Net Payment Terms via Manual Methods
B2B buyers often want Net 15 or Net 30 payment terms.
You can:
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Add a manual payment option called “Invoice Me”
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Send payment reminders later via email or WhatsApp
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Use tools like QuickBooks, Zoho Invoice, or Xero to manage B2B billing
8. Optimize Product Pages for B2B
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Add case pack info (e.g., “Sold in packs of 12”)
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Show MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
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Use product metafields to display technical data, HS codes, etc.
Conclusion
Shopify might not offer native B2B functionality out of the box, but with smart tweaks like customer tags, hidden sections, manual payment terms, and automated workflows, you can turn your store into a full-featured B2B portal.
Whether you’re selling to retailers, distributors, or corporate clients—Shopify can handle it with the right approach.