Key Takeaways
- B2B buyers expect the convenience of consumer e-commerce with business features like custom pricing and credit.
- Integration with ERP or Tally for stock, pricing, invoices and outstanding is essential.
- A dealer app plus sales rep app often delivers faster ROI than a public B2C store for manufacturers.
Many manufacturers and distributors still take orders by phone, WhatsApp and Excel. Errors, missed orders and slow processing are common. A B2B e-commerce portal lets dealers order anytime while your team focuses on growth.
How B2B differs from B2C
| Aspect | B2C | B2B |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Same for all | Customer- or tier-specific |
| Order size | Small | Bulk, MOQ, cartons |
| Payment | Upfront | Credit terms, invoices |
| Buyers | Individuals | Multiple users per company with approvals |
| Reordering | Occasional | Frequent, repeat orders |
Must-have B2B features
- Dealer login with multiple users and roles
- Customer-specific price lists, schemes and discounts
- MOQ, pack sizes and case quantities
- Quick order by SKU, CSV upload and reorder from history
- Credit limit and outstanding visibility
- Live stock by warehouse
- GST invoices, e-way bills and ledger downloads
- Scheme and offer management
- Order approval workflows
- Sales rep app to place orders on behalf of dealers
- Catalogue PDF and WhatsApp sharing
ERP integration
The portal should sync items, prices, stock, customers, orders, invoices and payments with your ERP or Tally. Read Odoo vs custom ERP vs Tally to plan your backend.
Benefits
- Fewer order errors and faster processing
- 24×7 ordering for dealers
- Higher order frequency and value through recommendations
- Better visibility of dealer performance
- Reduced sales admin workload
Cost and timeline
A B2B portal with ERP integration typically ranges from about ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh depending on features, apps and integrations, and takes 2–5 months. See e-commerce development cost for comparisons.
Planning a e-commerce project?
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Explore E-Commerce DevelopmentGet a Free QuoteRelated reading: Shopify vs WooCommerce vs Custom · Multi-Vendor Marketplace Development
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a B2B e-commerce portal?
A B2B portal is an online ordering platform for business customers such as dealers, distributors and retailers, with features like custom pricing, credit terms and bulk ordering.
Can Shopify handle B2B?
Shopify offers B2B features on higher plans, but complex pricing, credit and ERP workflows often need custom development or extensions.
Can the B2B portal connect to Tally?
Yes. Orders, invoices, stock and outstanding can be synced with Tally or ERP through connectors or custom integration.
How long does it take to build a B2B portal?
Typically 2–5 months depending on features, apps and integrations.
