B2B ecommerce
Also called B2B e-commerce
Reviewed by Dasha ShakovVP Marketing, Proton
Updated
What is B2B ecommerce?
B2B ecommerce is selling to business customers online, through a website or app where they can search products, see their own prices and place orders. Buyers also see stock, and for distributors it differs from consumer ecommerce in customer-specific pricing, multiple buyers per account, purchase order numbers, credit terms and reorder lists.
How it works
Distributor sites connect to the ERP for prices, stock and orders, and draw product content from the PIM. Large customers may reach the same catalog through a punchout from their own procurement system instead of logging in.
B2B ecommerce example
Late one evening, a maintenance technician logs in, opens his saved list of usual items, changes two quantities and checks out on his company’s account.
Further reading
Related terms
- Ecommerce customer accountAn ecommerce customer account is a business customer’s login on a distributor’s website, showing its own prices, orders, invoices and saved lists.
- Punchout catalogA punchout catalog is a connection that lets a customer’s buyer shop on a supplier’s website from inside the buyer’s own purchasing system.
- OmnichannelOmnichannel is an approach to selling in which customers can buy through any channel and see the same prices, product information and account history.
- Product attributesProduct attributes are the structured facts that describe a product, such as size, material, voltage or certification, each stored in its own field.