B2B e-commerce is growing continuously: B2B e-commerce turnover in Germany has almost doubled in 10 years. According to Statista, turnover in 2012 amounted to 871 billion euros, while in 2022 it had already reached 1,672 billion euros - and the forecast is still rising!
It is therefore crucial that your B2B company is optimally positioned digitally in order to remain competitive in the future.
Why Shopware is the right choice for B2B
Founded in Germany, Shopware is the leading e-commerce platform on the national market. The store system offers state-of-the-art solutions as well as practical integrations and intelligent automation.
What was only true for B2C for a long time is now also standard in B2B: potential customers first search online for information relevant to their decision. According to a survey by McKinsey, B2B buyers regularly use ten or more channels to find out about products, prices and suppliers.
In order to meet today's e-commerce requirements, technology that supports both B2B and B2C stores equally is becoming increasingly important. The advantage: companies can address different target groups from the same backend and develop customized frontends.
Whether B2C, B2B or D2C - Shopware is designed for all scenarios and can be individually adapted to your business strategy. With the platform's smart B2B functions, you can optimize your e-commerce and increase your success through improved business processes.
API-First: Integration of third-party systems in B2B e-commerce
With the API-first approach and headless operation, you benefit from seamless integration of the store system into your system landscape and have all the options you need to expand your system as you wish. With Shopware 6, you can easily integrate ERP, PIM, CRM, BI and logistics solutions.
The networking of all relevant systems enables you to implement an omnichannel strategy, which is important for an optimal customer experience.
Shopware B2B: Modular building block system or all-in-one suite
Shopware 6 is prepared for any system landscape thanks to its innovative software architecture based on the PHP framework Symfony. This guarantees a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.
Shopware 6 for your B2B online store
Shopware offers you two options for setting up your online store: You can choose between the modular Shopware B2B Components system and the all-in-one B2B Suite.
With the B2B Suite, on the other hand, the B2B functions are pre-installed and enable a quick start thanks to the complete solution.
Regardless of which option you choose, Shopware offers you the ideal basis to make your B2B business efficient and successful.
You can find out more about the components and the suite from the manufacturer: Shopware B2B Components vs. Suite.
B2B functions of Shopware 6
Shopware not only supports multilingualism and international standards in online retail, but also offers other relevant functions that are indispensable in the complex B2B business:
- Defining rights and roles as well as the corresponding budgeting
- Clear delineation of responsibilities and competencies through hierarchical organization of roles within the company
- Designation of employees with access to multiple customer accounts to facilitate customized advice and sales
- Display of gross and net prices
- Adjustment of prices based on different customer groups and order quantities
- Discount scales and special prices for regular customers
- Quick orders with a CSV or XLS file
- Order products via an article mask
- Various payment methods specially tailored to B2B customers
- Management of specific shipping and delivery conditions
- Fine-grained filter options for complex product portfolios
- Improved search functions with autocomplete and facet filtering
- Individual product ranges based on customer groups or geographical locations
- Personalized marketing measures and product recommendations
- Management of extensive product catalogs
- Filtering and categorization of products by attributes and properties
- Automated ordering, invoicing and delivery processes
- Further automation tools to increase efficiency
In addition to the functions mentioned, the system also has a wide range of features such as the Rule-Builder, Digital Sales Room and Multi-Inventory Management. Do you have questions about Shopware's B2B functions? As a certified Shopware agency, we can provide you with comprehensive advice!
Inquiry and offer management with Shopware
You probably know it: In B2B in particular, there are often special offers for individual orders. Simple management and sending of offers directly in the store system makes your day-to-day work easier. With Shopware, you can manage requests and offers efficiently.
Not up to date yet?
Shopware version 5 reaches the end of life - What you need to know now about migrating from Shopware 5 to 6:
Frequently asked questions about Shopware B2B
Yes, Shopware is ideally suited for B2B. It offers a variety of features specifically tailored to the needs of B2B merchants and allows for a high degree of flexibility and customization. With headless commerce approach, Shopware enables companies to decouple their front-end and back-end systems, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability to individual business needs. With Shopware, companies can create personalized shopping experiences that are optimized for both B2B and B2C customers, while benefiting from a robust and scalable infrastructure.
Shopware offers numerous B2B functions that can be integrated into your store either in an all-in-one suite or as modular building blocks. These include, for example, individual pricing, customer-specific product offers, extensive filter options and the seamless integration of third-party systems.