Running a B2B store on WooCommerce? Then you know it’s a very different world compared to B2C. Your customers aren’t just casual shoppers. They’re businesses. And they need things like custom pricing, request-a-quote features, and payment terms that might go weeks or even months out.
This article will walk you through how to set up your WooCommerce store for B2B success. We’ll keep it simple, fun, and easy to follow. Let’s dive into the world of pricing lists, quotes, and net terms.
The B2B Difference
First, what makes B2B so different?
- Businesses often buy in bulk.
- They expect custom pricing.
- They may want to negotiate prices.
- They don’t always pay immediately — hello, net 30 terms!
- They expect a personalized experience.
B2B customers aren’t browsing for impulse buys. They want a platform that respects their needs and makes the process efficient. That’s where these three features come in: pricing lists, quotes, and net terms.
Pricing Lists for B2B
Businesses love special treatment. And in eCommerce, that usually means custom pricing lists.
Instead of showing the same price to everyone, you can create different pricing tiers for different types of customers.
Here are some examples:
- Retailers see one price.
- Distributors see a lower bulk price.
- VIP customers get a custom rate.
Setting this up in WooCommerce? You’ll need a plugin. Good options include:
- WooCommerce Wholesale Prices
- Dynamic Pricing & Discounts
- B2BKing
These plugins allow you to create different user roles. Then you can assign each role its own pricing. Easy!
Imagine this:
John from BigSupplyCo logs in. Instead of seeing the usual $15 per unit, he sees $10 per unit because he’s tagged as a Wholesale Buyer.
That’s the magic of pricing lists.
Request a Quote Functionality
Ready to ditch the “Add to Cart” button? Some B2B customers don’t want to check out right away. They want to talk. Compare. Get a quote.
In WooCommerce, you can give them that option with a quote system.
Here’s how it works:
- Customer adds products to a quote list (instead of a cart).
- They submit the request with quantities and special notes.
- You review it and send back a custom quote with pricing.
Why do customers love this?
- They get better prices for large orders.
- They can negotiate terms.
- It feels more like a business transaction than a regular checkout.
To make this happen, plugins like the following are super helpful:
- Request a Quote for WooCommerce
- YITH WooCommerce Request a Quote
- Cart to Quote
Adding this feature can really increase your conversion rate. It also makes your site feel more professional and responsive.
Net Terms: Buy Now, Pay Later
In B2C, people pay with a credit card right away. But B2B is different. Businesses expect net terms, like Net 15, Net 30, or even Net 90.
That means they get the product now and pay later.
This builds trust. It also matches the flow of their business cash cycle. But how do you set this up in WooCommerce?
You guessed it—another plugin!
- Net Terms for WooCommerce
- Invoice Gateway
- B2BKing (yes, again!)
These plugins can:
- Let you approve specific customers for net terms.
- Hide this payment option for others.
- Send automatic emails reminding customers to pay.
- Track invoice due dates and payments.
Just remember — trust is key here. Only offer net terms to customers you know. Or introduce a credit-check process before approving them.
Other Helpful B2B Features
While pricing, quotes, and net terms are the “big three,” there are other cool B2B features you should consider:
- Minimum order requirements: Set a minimum order value to make big orders worth your time.
- Hidden pricing: Don’t show prices until someone logs in with a verified business account.
- Product catalog mode: Turn off purchasing altogether and let your site be only a catalog for B2B browsing.
All of these help make your B2B site feel custom, professional, and targeted.
Putting It All Together
Let’s imagine a day in the life of your WooCommerce B2B site:
- Jane from ConstructionPros logs in. She sees special pricing for her distributor role.
- She adds items to a quote list and requests your best deal for a big haul.
- You send back a personalized quote. She accepts it.
- At checkout, she chooses Net 30 terms and gets her invoice via email.
- Her order ships. Everyone is happy!
That’s B2B magic, powered by WooCommerce and a few well-chosen plugins.
Final Thoughts
Running a B2B store shouldn’t feel like fitting a square peg into a round hole. With pricing lists, quote requests, and net terms, WooCommerce becomes a flexible, powerful platform.
Just remember:
- Keep it simple.
- Make it personal.
- Give your B2B customers what they expect.
Now go build that B2B empire. Your customers are ready. And WooCommerce? It’s got your back.