In the rapidly changing world of eCommerce, it is very important to learn the behavior of customers who are buying from your store. Be it Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) sales, the successful business understands how critical it is to serve both customer segments to build a brand and get more sales and revenue. With Shopify’s user-friendly features, merchants can seamlessly integrate eCommerce with their existing business operations, allowing them to connect with both direct consumers and business audiences at the same time.
As of 2022, eCommerce accounted for 19% of global retail sales, with a staggering 2.14 billion digital buyers worldwide. With these numbers steadily climbing and the distinction between B2C and B2B blurring, businesses must adapt and thrive in consumer- and business-oriented markets.
In this article, we will look at the differences between D2C and B2B business models, why you need to offer a combined D2C & B2B experience on your Shopify store, and how can you create and run a D2C+B2B store on Shopify using a third-party Shopify wholesale app.
In simple terms, D2C customers are individual consumers who buy products or services directly from you. On the other hand, B2B customers are businesses that purchase from you in bulk, either to resell or for their operations.
For instance, a D2C customer may buy one pair of shoes from your store, while a B2B customer could be a retailer that buys hundreds of shoes to resell.
With this in mind, it’s crucial to consider the following when setting up for both D2C and B2B sales:
– Pricing: When selling to consumers, you’ll need to offer competitive prices. On the other hand, B2B customers may be more amenable to custom pricing depending on their order size.
– Payment Methods: D2C customers can make use of various payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, and credit cards. On the other hand, B2B customers may prefer invoice payments, payments on net terms (NET15/NET30), or other payment options.
– Shipping: D2C customers are usually more comfortable with faster delivery times while B2B customers may accept longer shipping times depending on their order size and needs.
– Customer Service: For D2C customers, you’ll need to provide superior customer service as they expect personalized attention. Meanwhile, B2B customers may require more comprehensive solutions to their queries.
Why do you need a D2C and B2B store on your Shopify?
The primary objective of selling your product to both direct-to-consumer (D2C) and business-to-business (B2B) customers is to drive sales and attain your business revenue targets.
Here are some key benefits of selling D2C & B2B on your Shopify store:
1. Increased revenue
Selling to both D2C and B2B customers allows you to tap into a larger customer base and increase your overall revenue.
2. Increased brand visibility
As a result of diversifying your customer base, you’ll be able to reach more potential buyers and expand your business.
3. Higher volume of sales
Selling in bulk to B2B customers can help you increase sales volume, leading to greater profits.
4. Lower operational costs
With Shopify’s user-friendly features, you can eliminate the need for extra personnel to manage separate operations for each type of customer.
5. Improved efficiency
On Shopify, you can easily set up automated workflows to manage both D2C and B2B orders such as billing, shipping, payment, etc.
6. Increased customer loyalty
By providing a great customer experience to both D2C and B2B customers, you can gain their loyalty which will help you in the long run.
7. Create new opportunities
By setting up a D2C and B2B store on your Shopify, you can create new growth opportunities. For instance, you can start dropshipping or wholesale operations on the same platform.
Preparing your Shopify store for combined D2C and B2B experiences
By leveraging the amazing features of Shopify, setting up a comprehensive eCommerce platform to cater to both D2C and B2B customers is easier than other eCommerce platforms like Magento, Prestashop, Drupal, etc.
To enable a D2C+B2B ecommerce experience on your Shopify store, you must upgrade to the Shopify Plus plan. This plan gives you access to exclusive features and dedicated support that will help streamline your sales process no matter if it’s for D2C or B2B customers.
The Shopify Plus plan offers merchants the flexibility to tailor their stores for various types of discounts on B2B orders, streamlining business sales. However, this convenience comes with a price tag of approximately $2000/month, which may be a considerable subscription cost for newly established online businesses.
To address this issue, third-party wholesale apps, such asWholesale Pricing Discount, allow you to effortlessly set up and manage a D2C and B2B store within a single Shopify online store.
Let’s delve deeper into this topic, providing you with further insights and information.
Setting up a Shopify store for D2C + B2B sales? (using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app)
If you’re thinking about setting up a Shopify store to handle both D2C and B2B sales, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. You can start setting up your store to provide the right pricing, payment options, and customer service that cater to each type of buyer.
The Wholesale Pricing Discount app makes it easy to set up a D2C+B2B store within a single Shopify platform. This app allows you to create product variations that display unique prices for each customer type – from individual customers to businesses purchasing in bulk.
You can apply discounts based on custom pricing criteria such as order quantity, volume, or customer type. The app also provides options for custom pricing rules, allowing you to set up different payment terms for B2B customers, such as invoice payments or net terms (NET15/NET30). You can even upload a CSV file containing your entire B2B customer list and their associated discounts all at once.
Now, let’s see the step-by-step procedure for creating a combined D2C & B2B store on Shopify using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app:
Step 1: Register or log into your Shopify store account
Step 2: Install the Wholesale Pricing Discount app
Once you’re logged in, go to the Apps tab in your Shopify Admin and install theWholesale Pricing Discount (WPD) app. This will enable you to create separate D2C & B2B pricing and discounts for different products.
Step 3: Add a separate B2B signup/registration form to your store
Once the app is installed, you can create and add a separate “create an account” or “wholesale registration” form to your store to accept signups from your wholesale customers.
This can be added to your store as a menu item or at the footer.
Having separate account registration forms and accepting different user accounts on your Shopify store will make it easy to distinguish between D2C and B2B customers. This will also help you to track the activity of each customer segment separately.
Step 4: Create Discount Groups to set up pricing & discounts
Using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app, you can configure different discount groups to offer retail and wholesale product pricing to specific types of customers using ‘tags’.
These discounts can be based on wholesale pricing or quantity-based pricing depending upon your needs. You can also choose to set discounts for a specific product, product variant, collection/s, or on the entire store.
For example, you could set a higher price point for D2C customers while offering lower prices with volume discounts for B2B customers. This way you can maximize your profits by increasing the number of sales, while not compromising on your margins.
Step 5: Configure Payment Options
To create a seamless experience for D2C+B2B customers on Shopify, you’ll need to configure the payment options and shipping rates accordingly.
For instance, D2C customers may prefer PayPal, Shop Pay or credit cards, while B2B customers may be more amenable to payment terms like NET15/NET30. (You can configure the net payment terms using the WPD app).
Step 6: Offer varying shipping options
Depending on the customer type, you should consider offering different shipping options for D2C and B2B customers. For instance, while D2C customers may prefer faster delivery times, B2B customers may accept longer wait times depending on their order size or the nature of their business.
You can also configure a flat shipping rate for minimum order value or weight for specific customers in your store.
Step 7: Provide tailored customer service
When it comes to providing customer service, you should make sure that you provide personalized attention to D2C customers while B2B customers may require more comprehensive solutions.
For B2B customers, you may need to provide a dedicated account manager and explore options for bulk ordering processes or automation. This will ensure that your customer service efforts are truly tailored and optimal for both D2C and B2B customers.
By following these simple steps, you can easily configure your Shopify store to offer both D2C and B2B sales. Utilizing the Wholesale Pricing Discount app helps you to effortlessly set up and manage a combined D2C+B2B store within a single Shopify platform.
Summing Up...
As more and more customers are turning to online stores for their purchases, it’s important to provide them with a seamless shopping experience that caters to both individual and business buyers alike. With the help of the WPD app, you can easily do just that – create a unified Shopify store that meets the needs of both D2C & B2B customers.
How to create a D2C and B2B experience on your Shopify store?
In the rapidly changing world of eCommerce, it is very important to learn the behavior of customers who are buying from your store. Be it Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) sales, the successful business understands how critical it is to serve both customer segments to build a brand and get more sales and revenue. With Shopify’s user-friendly features, merchants can seamlessly integrate eCommerce with their existing business operations, allowing them to connect with both direct consumers and business audiences at the same time.
As of 2022, eCommerce accounted for 19% of global retail sales, with a staggering 2.14 billion digital buyers worldwide. With these numbers steadily climbing and the distinction between B2C and B2B blurring, businesses must adapt and thrive in consumer- and business-oriented markets.
In this article, we will look at the differences between D2C and B2B business models, why you need to offer a combined D2C & B2B experience on your Shopify store, and how can you create and run a D2C+B2B store on Shopify using a third-party Shopify wholesale app.
So, let’s get started!
Understanding D2C and B2B Dynamics
When setting up your Shopify store for D2C (direct-to-consumer) and B2B (business-to-business) sales, it’s essential to understand the differences between the two.
In simple terms, D2C customers are individual consumers who buy products or services directly from you. On the other hand, B2B customers are businesses that purchase from you in bulk, either to resell or for their operations.
For instance, a D2C customer may buy one pair of shoes from your store, while a B2B customer could be a retailer that buys hundreds of shoes to resell.
With this in mind, it’s crucial to consider the following when setting up for both D2C and B2B sales:
– Pricing: When selling to consumers, you’ll need to offer competitive prices. On the other hand, B2B customers may be more amenable to custom pricing depending on their order size.
– Payment Methods: D2C customers can make use of various payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, and credit cards. On the other hand, B2B customers may prefer invoice payments, payments on net terms (NET15/NET30), or other payment options.
– Shipping: D2C customers are usually more comfortable with faster delivery times while B2B customers may accept longer shipping times depending on their order size and needs.
– Customer Service: For D2C customers, you’ll need to provide superior customer service as they expect personalized attention. Meanwhile, B2B customers may require more comprehensive solutions to their queries.
Why do you need a D2C and B2B store on your Shopify?
The primary objective of selling your product to both direct-to-consumer (D2C) and business-to-business (B2B) customers is to drive sales and attain your business revenue targets.
Here are some key benefits of selling D2C & B2B on your Shopify store:
1. Increased revenue
Selling to both D2C and B2B customers allows you to tap into a larger customer base and increase your overall revenue.
2. Increased brand visibility
As a result of diversifying your customer base, you’ll be able to reach more potential buyers and expand your business.
3. Higher volume of sales
Selling in bulk to B2B customers can help you increase sales volume, leading to greater profits.
4. Lower operational costs
With Shopify’s user-friendly features, you can eliminate the need for extra personnel to manage separate operations for each type of customer.
5. Improved efficiency
On Shopify, you can easily set up automated workflows to manage both D2C and B2B orders such as billing, shipping, payment, etc.
6. Increased customer loyalty
By providing a great customer experience to both D2C and B2B customers, you can gain their loyalty which will help you in the long run.
7. Create new opportunities
By setting up a D2C and B2B store on your Shopify, you can create new growth opportunities. For instance, you can start dropshipping or wholesale operations on the same platform.
Preparing your Shopify store for combined D2C and B2B experiences
By leveraging the amazing features of Shopify, setting up a comprehensive eCommerce platform to cater to both D2C and B2B customers is easier than other eCommerce platforms like Magento, Prestashop, Drupal, etc.
To enable a D2C+B2B ecommerce experience on your Shopify store, you must upgrade to the Shopify Plus plan. This plan gives you access to exclusive features and dedicated support that will help streamline your sales process no matter if it’s for D2C or B2B customers.
The Shopify Plus plan offers merchants the flexibility to tailor their stores for various types of discounts on B2B orders, streamlining business sales. However, this convenience comes with a price tag of approximately $2000/month, which may be a considerable subscription cost for newly established online businesses.
To address this issue, third-party wholesale apps, such as Wholesale Pricing Discount, allow you to effortlessly set up and manage a D2C and B2B store within a single Shopify online store.
Let’s delve deeper into this topic, providing you with further insights and information.
Setting up a Shopify store for D2C + B2B sales? (using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app)
If you’re thinking about setting up a Shopify store to handle both D2C and B2B sales, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. You can start setting up your store to provide the right pricing, payment options, and customer service that cater to each type of buyer.
The Wholesale Pricing Discount app makes it easy to set up a D2C+B2B store within a single Shopify platform. This app allows you to create product variations that display unique prices for each customer type – from individual customers to businesses purchasing in bulk.
You can apply discounts based on custom pricing criteria such as order quantity, volume, or customer type. The app also provides options for custom pricing rules, allowing you to set up different payment terms for B2B customers, such as invoice payments or net terms (NET15/NET30). You can even upload a CSV file containing your entire B2B customer list and their associated discounts all at once.
Now, let’s see the step-by-step procedure for creating a combined D2C & B2B store on Shopify using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app:
Step 1: Register or log into your Shopify store account
Make sure to register or sign in your Shopify store before beginning the setup process.
Step 2: Install the Wholesale Pricing Discount app
Once you’re logged in, go to the Apps tab in your Shopify Admin and install the Wholesale Pricing Discount (WPD) app. This will enable you to create separate D2C & B2B pricing and discounts for different products.
Step 3: Add a separate B2B signup/registration form to your store
Once the app is installed, you can create and add a separate “create an account” or “wholesale registration” form to your store to accept signups from your wholesale customers.
This can be added to your store as a menu item or at the footer.
Having separate account registration forms and accepting different user accounts on your Shopify store will make it easy to distinguish between D2C and B2B customers. This will also help you to track the activity of each customer segment separately.
Step 4: Create Discount Groups to set up pricing & discounts
Using the Wholesale Pricing Discount app, you can configure different discount groups to offer retail and wholesale product pricing to specific types of customers using ‘tags’.
These discounts can be based on wholesale pricing or quantity-based pricing depending upon your needs. You can also choose to set discounts for a specific product, product variant, collection/s, or on the entire store.
For example, you could set a higher price point for D2C customers while offering lower prices with volume discounts for B2B customers. This way you can maximize your profits by increasing the number of sales, while not compromising on your margins.
Step 5: Configure Payment Options
To create a seamless experience for D2C+B2B customers on Shopify, you’ll need to configure the payment options and shipping rates accordingly.
For instance, D2C customers may prefer PayPal, Shop Pay or credit cards, while B2B customers may be more amenable to payment terms like NET15/NET30. (You can configure the net payment terms using the WPD app).
Step 6: Offer varying shipping options
Depending on the customer type, you should consider offering different shipping options for D2C and B2B customers. For instance, while D2C customers may prefer faster delivery times, B2B customers may accept longer wait times depending on their order size or the nature of their business.
You can also configure a flat shipping rate for minimum order value or weight for specific customers in your store.
Step 7: Provide tailored customer service
When it comes to providing customer service, you should make sure that you provide personalized attention to D2C customers while B2B customers may require more comprehensive solutions.
For B2B customers, you may need to provide a dedicated account manager and explore options for bulk ordering processes or automation. This will ensure that your customer service efforts are truly tailored and optimal for both D2C and B2B customers.
By following these simple steps, you can easily configure your Shopify store to offer both D2C and B2B sales. Utilizing the Wholesale Pricing Discount app helps you to effortlessly set up and manage a combined D2C+B2B store within a single Shopify platform.
Summing Up...
As more and more customers are turning to online stores for their purchases, it’s important to provide them with a seamless shopping experience that caters to both individual and business buyers alike. With the help of the WPD app, you can easily do just that – create a unified Shopify store that meets the needs of both D2C & B2B customers.
So, what are you waiting for? Set up your D2C+B2B store on Shopify now and reap the rewards of providing a customized shopping experience to your customers.
Good luck!
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