Introduction

The right shopify apps b2b stack turns a retail storefront into a wholesale engine that handles tiered pricing, custom catalogs, net terms, and large order workflows. For store owners and entrepreneurs, B2B features are no longer optional: they unlock larger average order values, predictable recurring revenue, and stronger customer relationships.

This guide explains what B2B means on Shopify, why apps are essential, and how to pick and implement them with real timelines, pricing ranges, and checklists. You will get concrete examples, app recommendations, and step-by-step implementation milestones you can follow over 2 to 8 weeks. Expect specific numbers where possible, comparisons across categories, and a practical checklist to launch wholesale functionality without breaking checkout, tax, or fulfillment.

Read this if you sell to retailers, hospitality accounts, distributors, or want to add a wholesale channel to your DTC (direct-to-consumer) business. The advice applies to stores on standard Shopify plans and Shopify Plus, with notes where features differ by plan.

Shopify Apps B2b:

Core concepts and when to use them

B2B on Shopify means adapting the storefront, pricing, checkout, and operations to support business buyers. Core B2B features fall into five groups: customer segmentation and access control, pricing and catalogs, order and payment workflows, integrations (ERP, accounting), and shipping/tax automation.

Customer segmentation and access control

Use access-control apps to restrict wholesale pages and prices to verified accounts. This is essential when you need private catalogs or net terms. For high-volume buyers, lock pages and require account approval before showing wholesale prices.

Pricing and catalogs

Tiered pricing, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and contract pricing convert small retailers into bulk buyers. Implement tiered pricing to increase average order value (AOV). Example: adding a 10% discount for orders over $1,000 and 20% for orders over $5,000 can push AOV up by 10-25% in early tests.

Order and payment workflows

Net terms (30, 60, 90 days), PO numbers, and large-order approvals require apps or manual processing. Use apps that add PO fields, invoice functionality, or integrate with third-party credit providers (e.g., Fundbox, Clearco) for financing.

Integrations and operations

ERP (enterprise resource planning) and accounting integration prevent reconciliation headaches. For merchants processing 100-1,000 B2B orders per month, a direct NetSuite, QuickBooks, or Xero integration reduces manual work significantly.

When to use which app

Use access-control and tiered pricing apps immediately if you need private pricing within 1-2 weeks.
Add invoicing, net terms, and automated tax/shipping integrations when order volume reaches 50+ wholesale orders per month or when manual processes take more than 10 hours weekly.
Integrate ERPs and advanced shipping when SKU count exceeds 200 or orders exceed 200/month.

Example implementation decisions

A 10-person team launching B2B for 100 retail customers: start with Wholesale access-control + tiered pricing + PO field app in week 1-2. Add accounting integration (QuickBooks) and shipping automation in weeks 3-6. Expect to spend $100-$500/month on apps and 40-80 hours of team setup in the first 6 weeks.

Actionable insight: measure AOV and time to fulfill before and after each app addition. Track AOV, order processing time, and invoice aging to quantify ROI within 30-90 days.

Key Problems B2B Merchants Face and App-Based Solutions

Problem: Private pricing leaks and unauthorized discounts

Why it matters:

Showing wholesale prices to retail customers damages margins. Unauthorized discount codes and manual price overrides create inconsistent invoicing.

App solution: Use access control apps to gate wholesale pages and hide wholesale prices until account approval. Combine with role-based visibility so shoppers with “wholesale” tags see different SKUs and prices.

Problem: Complex pricing models (tiered, contract, customer-specific)

Why it matters: Shopify’s base product pricing is SKU-level and limited. B2B frequently needs per-customer pricing or contract pricing for repeat buyers.
App solution: Choose an app that supports tiered pricing, quantity breaks, and per-customer price lists. Examples include apps that create custom price books per customer or per-tag. Set up test accounts to validate prices through checkout.

Problem: Need for net terms and invoicing

Why it matters: Many B2B buyers expect net 30 or net 60 invoices, not immediate payment at checkout.
App solution: Use apps that add invoicing, PO capture, and approve-order workflows. For immediate cash flow, integrate with invoice financing or payment-on-account providers. Use a workflow that automatically converts a submitted order into a draft invoice for approval and flag “payment due” in your accounting system.

Problem: Scaling fulfillment and inventory management

Why it matters: B2B orders often contain many SKUs and large quantities that stress packing and shipping processes.
App solution: Integrate with order-management systems or fulfillment apps (Order Desk, ShipStation). Use inventory forecasting tools (Inventory Planner) and set reorder points for high-volume wholesale SKUs.

Problem: Tax and compliance

Why it matters: Wholesale orders may be tax-exempt or subject to different rules by jurisdiction.
App solution: Use tax engines like Avalara or TaxJar to manage nexus, resale certificates, and tax-exempt customers. Store resale certificates in customer profiles for auditing.

Actionable steps for solving these problems

Prioritize by time-saver: Automate the task that currently costs your team the most hours per week.
Run a 30-day test per app: measure time saved, error reductions, and revenue impact.
If you process more than 50 wholesale orders/month, plan an ERP integration in the next 90 days.

Example numbers

Small brand with 150 wholesale customers: implementing tiered pricing and an access gate reduced manual quote handling by 60% and increased monthly wholesale revenue by 18% within 90 days.
Distributor averaging 300 SKUs: ERP integration reduced order entry errors by 85% and cut reconciliation time from 10 hours to 2 hours per week.

How to Implement B2B Features on Shopify - Step-by-Step Timeline

This timeline assumes a small team (1-3 people) and aims to move from concept to live wholesale channel in 2-8 weeks, depending on complexity.

Week 0 - Planning (1 week)

Define B2B goals: target accounts, expected order sizes, payment terms, shipping expectations.
Set KPIs: AOV, order volume, invoice aging, fulfillment time.
Choose a project owner and stakeholders: sales, operations, finance, and IT.

Week 1 - Core setup (1 week)

Install access control and tiered-pricing apps.
Create wholesale customer tag system in Shopify and a signup/approval form.
Set MOQ (minimum order quantity) and basic tier rules for 3 price tiers (example: retail, wholesale 1 - 10% off over $500, wholesale 2 - 20% off over $2,500).

Deliverable: Private wholesale storefront with sample products and one approved test account.

Week 2-3 - Payments and invoicing (1-2 weeks)

Add PO fields, net terms, or invoicing app. If offering net terms, set a credit application process.
Integrate with payment providers or invoice financing if needed.

Deliverable: Approved-payments workflow and one end-to-end test order converted to invoice.

Week 3-5 - Integrations and automation (2 weeks)

Connect accounting (QuickBooks Online or Xero) and shipping (ShipStation or carrier API).
If using an ERP (NetSuite) or inventory system, begin mapping SKUs and test inventory sync.

Deliverable: Accounting entries and shipping labels automatically created for test orders.

Week 5-8 - Scale and refine (2-3 weeks)

Add tax automation for exemptions and resale certificates (Avalara or TaxJar).
Implement enhanced customer-specific catalogs if needed.
Train sales and customer service on new workflows and scripts.

Deliverable: Live wholesale channel with documented SOPs and staff trained.

Typical costs and resource estimates

Apps: $50 to $400+/month depending on tiered pricing and number of users.
Implementation: 40-120 hours of team time or 2-6 days of external consultant work.
ROI timeline: Expect to see measurable AOV lift and time savings in 30-90 days, with breakeven on app fees often within 2-6 months for active wholesale channels.

Actionable checklist for launch

Approve at least 5 pilot wholesale customers and collect feedback.
Monitor AOV, order processing time, and invoice aging weekly.
Iterate pricing tiers and minimums after the first month based on conversion and churn.

Tools and Resources

Below are practical app and platform categories with representative examples and typical pricing brackets. Always verify vendor pricing and features before purchase.

Access control and private storefronts

Locksmith - permissioning for pages, products, and collections. Pricing typically starts around $9/mo for basic plans.
Wholesale Gorilla - built for wholesale storefront access and pricing lists. Pricing often starts in the $25-$50/mo range.

Pricing and catalog management

Bold Custom Pricing (Bold Commerce) - tiered pricing, per-customer price lists. Historically used by large merchants; pricing can vary by store size and feature set.
Wholesale Pricing Now - simple quantity break and tiered pricing apps starting around $20-$40/mo.

Invoicing, net terms, and B2B checkout

Sufio or Order Printer Pro - invoicing and PDF invoices for Shopify orders. Pricing often from $10-$30/mo.
Skio or PayWhirl for payment plans and subscription billing. Pricing varies; subscriptions frequently start at $50+/mo.
Clearpay/Clearpay-like providers are consumer-focused; for B2B credit and invoice terms, consider integration partners offering commercial credit or Pay-by-invoice providers.

ERP and accounting integrations

QuickBooks Online connector by Intuit or third-party connectors (e.g., A2X, OneSaas). Pricing ranges from $20-$150+/mo depending on transaction volume.
Celigo or FarApp for NetSuite or larger ERPs. Enterprise-grade connectors start in the hundreds per month or require project-based fees.

Order routing and fulfillment

Order Desk - flexible order routing, custom packing slips, and fulfillment rules. Pricing often from $30/mo.
ShipStation - multi-carrier shipping and label creation. Plans commonly start at $9-$25/mo for low volume and scale up.

Tax and compliance

Avalara AvaTax - automated tax calculation and exemption handling. Pricing often usage-based; expect $50+/mo for low-volume businesses.
TaxJar - sales tax reporting and nexus tracking with plans starting around $19/mo.

Customer support and CRM

Gorgias - helpdesk built for Shopify, with macros for B2B responses. Pricing starts around $60/mo.
HubSpot or Salesforce connectors for CRM. HubSpot has free tier; paid tiers for sales automation start higher.

Analytics and forecasting

Inventory Planner - forecasting and reorder recommendations. Pricing often starts at $49/mo.
Glew or Littledata for advanced e-commerce analytics.

Comparison checklist - choosing the right app

Does the app support per-customer pricing or only quantity breaks?
Can the app hide SKUs or prices for non-approved customers?
How does the app integrate with your accounting and shipping?
What is the monthly cost and any transaction fees?
How many admin seats and what training is required?

Example budget scenarios

Minimal pilot (1-5 wholesale customers): access control + tiered pricing + basic invoicing = $40-$120/mo.
Growing wholesale channel (50-200 customers): add accounting connector + shipping automation + tax engine = $200-$800/mo.
Enterprise-grade (500+ accounts, ERP integration): consultancy + Celigo + Avalara + Gorgias = $1,000+/mo plus one-time implementation fees ($5,000+ typical).

Actionable resource: create a 3-column spreadsheet listing app name, monthly price estimate, and integration notes. Score each app on ability to support per-customer pricing, API availability, and data export options.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1 - Exposing wholesale prices publicly

Why it hurts: erodes margins and creates customer service headaches.
Avoidance: Use apps that gate pricing by customer tag or password-protected storefronts and test with non-admin browsers.

Mistake 2 - Not syncing inventory or SKUs correctly

Why it hurts: oversells and fulfillment errors.
Avoidance: Map SKUs between Shopify and ERP before launch, run daily inventory syncs, and set safety stock for wholesale SKUs.

Mistake 3 - Ignoring invoicing and payment terms in finance systems

Why it hurts: late payments, poor cash flow, and manual reconciliation.
Avoidance: Integrate invoicing with QuickBooks or Xero and track invoice aging. Automate reminders and offer early-pay discounts where appropriate.

Mistake 4 - Choosing apps without API or export capability

Why it hurts: vendor lock-in and reporting gaps.
Avoidance: Prioritize apps with well-documented APIs or CSV export to maintain flexibility for future integrations.

Mistake 5 - Launching without a pilot group

Why it hurts: untested assumptions, broken workflows at scale.
Avoidance: Run a 4-8 week pilot with 5-10 wholesale customers, collect feedback, then iterate.

Actionable fix checklist

Test customer experience on real devices and network conditions.
Run reconciliation test: create 10 sample orders and trace through to accounting and fulfillment.
Document every workflow and create a knowledge base for sales and support.

FAQ

Do I Need Shopify Plus to Run B2B on Shopify?

You do not strictly need Shopify Plus to add wholesale features; many apps enable gating, tiered pricing, and invoicing on standard Shopify plans. Shopify Plus offers native wholesale channel features and more API rate limits, which are beneficial for larger enterprise operations.

How Much Will B2B Apps Cost per Month?

Typical costs range widely depending on features: small pilots often run $40-$150/mo, growth-stage setups $200-$800/mo, and enterprise implementations $1,000+/mo plus project fees. Always check current vendor pricing and trial options.

Can I Offer Net 30 or Net 60 Payment Terms?

Yes. Apps can add PO fields, invoice workflows, and approval processes. For risk management and cash flow, pair net terms with credit checks or invoice financing partners.

How Long Does It Take to Launch a B2B Channel?

For a basic wholesale setup (access control, tiered pricing, PO fields), expect 2-3 weeks. For full ERP integration, tax automation, and training, budget 6-12 weeks.

Will Wholesale Customers Need Separate Accounts?

Yes. Best practice is to require account creation and verification for wholesale customers. Use customer tags to manage visibility and pricing.

This keeps B2B and B2C experiences separate and simplifies reporting.

How Do I Handle Tax-Exempt Wholesale Customers?

Use a tax automation tool (Avalara or TaxJar) to manage resale certificates and tax-exemption statuses. Store resale certificates and tie them to customer profiles for audit trails.

Next Steps

Run a 2-week pilot checklist

Choose one access-control app, one pricing app, and one invoicing app.
Approve 5 pilot wholesale accounts and process 10 test orders end-to-end.

Build a 6- to 8-week implementation plan

Week-by-week tasks: gating and pricing (weeks 1-2), payments/invoicing (weeks 3-4), integrations (weeks 5-6), training and rollout (weeks 7-8).

Create measurement dashboard

Track AOV, number of wholesale orders, invoice aging, order fulfillment time, and chargebacks weekly. Review at 30, 60, and 90 days.

Prepare SOPs and staff training

Document approval workflows, credit application steps, and fulfillment rules. Train sales and support teams with scripts for onboarding wholesale buyers.

Checklist to copy and use

Product catalog: SKU mapping complete
Pricing: Tier rules configured and tested
Access: Wholesale storefront gated and test accounts verified
Payments: PO field or invoicing app implemented
Integration: Accounting and shipping connectors installed
Compliance: Tax exemption and documentation process in place
Training: Sales and fulfillment trained and SOPs published

Shopify Apps B2b - Essential Wholesale Apps Guide