The Value of Shopify Plus for B2B Ecommerce Brands

At Aperture Labs, we help our clients win in the digital arena with smartly architected solutions that maximize every dollar invested. To continually deliver on this promise, we watch the landscape closely as software platforms emerge and evolve, remaining open minded to the most effective ways to deliver for our clients. 

One of the emerging offerings that has gotten our attention this year is Shopify Plus for the B2B market.  

While Shopify has long been known as a top ecommerce platform for small to midsize B2C brands, the new Shopify Plus offering addresses large B2B enterprises in need of the most stringent and robust B2B commerce capabilities. Aperture Labs has recently joined the Shopify Plus ecosystem and we’re excited to share our perspective on this impressively robust and efficient ecommerce platform for B2B businesses. 

Let’s dig into some of the key reasons why B2B ecommerce brands should consider Shopify Plus:

1. Scalability and Performance

Shopify Plus is designed to handle large volumes of traffic and transactions, which is crucial for B2B businesses that often deal with high order volumes. Shopify’s resilient infrastructure ensures that your site remains fast and reliable, even during peak times.

2. Customization and Flexibility

With Shopify Plus, you have access to advanced customization options through Shopify's Liquid templating language, custom scripts, and API integrations. This allows businesses to tailor their online store to meet specific B2B needs, such as custom pricing, product catalogs, and workflows.

And, if you require maximum control over development to deliver a hyper-customized buyer experience, Shopify Plus offers a headless commerce option. Hydrogen, Shopify’s React-based headless framework, separates the back-end infrastructure from the front-end customer experience and allows developers to quickly build custom headless storefronts that are deployed on Shopify’s global hosting solution.

3. Advanced B2B Features

Shopify Plus offers specific B2B functionalities, including:

• Wholesale Channel: This allows you to create a separate, password-protected storefront for wholesale customers, complete with custom pricing, discounts, and payment terms.
• Custom Pricing: Set different prices for different customer groups or individual accounts, which is essential for B2B transactions.
• Bulk Ordering: Simplifies the process for customers to order large quantities of products.

4. Automation and Efficiency

Shopify Plus includes advanced automation tools to streamline operations. For example, Shopify Flow allows you to automate repetitive tasks such as inventory management, order processing, and customer segmentation. This improves efficiency and reduces the potential for errors.

5. Integration Capabilities

Shopify Plus integrates with a wide range of third-party applications and services, including ERP systems, CRM platforms, and other essential business tools. This ensures seamless data flow and enhances overall business operations.

6. Multi-Channel Selling

B2B businesses often sell through multiple channels, and Shopify Plus supports multi-channel selling. You can manage your B2B and B2C operations from a single platform, integrating sales from your online store, physical locations, and marketplaces like Amazon.

7. Support and Resources

Shopify Plus customers receive dedicated account management and priority support. This includes personalized assistance with setup, migration, and ongoing optimization, ensuring you get the most out of the platform.

8. Security and Compliance

Shopify Plus provides enterprise-grade security features, including PCI DSS compliance, SSL certificates, and robust fraud prevention tools. This ensures that customer data and transactions are secure, which is crucial for maintaining trust and compliance with regulations.

9. Global Reach

Shopify Plus has robust international commerce sales tools that support multiple currencies, languages, geo-location features, and worldwide shipping rates, making it easier for B2B businesses to expand their operations internationally. This is particularly beneficial for businesses looking to reach a global customer base quickly.

10. Analytics and Insights

The platform offers advanced analytics and reporting tools to help you gain insights into your business performance. This includes detailed reports on sales, customer behavior, and inventory, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Conclusion

Shopify Plus is a comprehensive, flexible, and robust ecommerce solution for B2B businesses. Its scalability, customization options, advanced features, and strong support make it an excellent choice for companies looking to grow and streamline their B2B operations. Whether you are expanding your existing business or starting a new B2B venture, Shopify Plus provides the tools and resources necessary for success.

If you’re considering a new ecommerce platform and want to explore the ways Shopify Plus can support your requirements and help you reach your revenue goals, let’s talk. We’d love to show you the latest ways we’re delivering maximum outcomes for our B2B clients.