The verdict in three sentences
When 1,200 garages order by phone, inside sales reps spend their days looking up part numbers instead of selling. A B2B ordering portal with search by plate or OEM reference costs about 23,000 to 53,000 EUR (25,000 to 58,000 USD, or 15 to 35 million FCFA in our Dakar reference project) in 2026. The realistic target is 30 % of orders online in year one, with fewer wrong parts and 2-hour delivery met more often.
What an auto parts B2B portal costs
The budget depends mainly on catalogue quality (cross-references between OEM numbers and aftermarket equivalents) and on integration with the existing ERP or dealer management system.
| Module | Core version (23,000 to 30,000 EUR) | Full version (43,000 to 53,000 EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Search | OEM reference, description | licence plate, VIN, make and model |
| Equivalents | simple OEM and aftermarket table | multi-brand cross-reference, compatible parts |
| Pricing | single price list | discounts per garage, per part family, volume |
| Stock | availability shown | stock per warehouse, supplier lead time |
| Payment | on delivery, trade account | card, mobile payment, trade credit with limit |
| Delivery | delivery slots | driver tracking, 2-hour city commitment |
| Project delivery time | 10 to 12 weeks | 16 to 20 weeks |
These are 2026 orders of magnitude, excluding any vehicle compatibility database licence (such as an ACES/PIES data feed in North America), which can cost 3,000 to 9,000 EUR a year.
Phone or portal: what changes day to day
| Indicator | Phone orders | With B2B portal (year 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Average time per order | 8 to 12 minutes | 2 to 3 minutes online |
| Wrong part errors | 6 to 8 % of lines | 2 to 3 % |
| Share of online orders | 0 % | 30 % targeted |
| After-hours orders | lost | 10 to 15 % of online volume |
| Average basket | 70 EUR | 80 EUR thanks to related parts |
| Part returns | 5 % | 2 to 3 % |
The most visible gain is fewer errors: a wrongly ordered brake pad costs a driver round trip, an immobilised bay and often an unhappy customer.
Driving adoption among garages
Mechanics often order from a smartphone between two jobs. The portal must therefore be mobile first, light on slow connections and usable in 3 screens. Plan a demo tour by sales reps, a 2 to 3 % launch discount on online orders, and an order history that lets garages reorder routine maintenance parts in one click.
Mini case study
David, managing director of a parts distributor in Toronto, serves 1,200 garages with 6 inside sales reps. He handles 9,000 orders a month at a 70 EUR average basket. He invests 40,000 EUR in a full portal. With 30 % of orders online, 2,700 orders a month bypass the phone, freeing about 400 hours that reps spend on prospecting. If the online basket rises to 80 EUR, additional revenue reaches 27,000 EUR a month; at 25 % gross margin, the project pays back in about 6 months.
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FAQ
Can garages search for a part by licence plate?
Yes, provided the plate is linked to the VIN or exact vehicle model through a data provider. Otherwise the garage enters the VIN once and the vehicle is saved in its account.
Which payment methods can garages use?
Card, trade account with a credit limit and, in African markets, Wave and Orange Money at around 1 % merchant fees. Digital payment shortens the driver's collection time.
How are different discounts per garage handled?
Each garage is linked to a discount category, for example 5 %, 10 % or 15 % per part family. The net price appears right after login.
Does the portal connect to our stock system?
Yes, through an API or a file exchange every 15 minutes. Displayed stock stays reliable and orders arrive without re-keying.
What maintenance cost should we expect?
Allow 15 to 20 % of the initial budget per year, i.e. 3,800 to 9,000 EUR, for hosting, security and improvements.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of garages, catalogue size and ERP: we will price a portal between 23,000 and 53,000 EUR, delivered in 10 to 20 weeks. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
