The verdict in three sentences
A B2B e-commerce platform is not just an online catalogue: it encodes your per-account pricing, credit limits, quick order and ERP logic. In 2026 in Berlin, the realistic budget runs from 30,000 EUR net (scoped perimeter) to 90,000 EUR net (multi-pricing, approval workflow, deep integration). The real ROI comes from shifting phone orders to self-service, which frees your sales team for acquisition.
What a B2B platform really covers
B2B is not B2C with a discount. Your professional customers have negotiated grids, payment terms, multiple contacts per account and 40-line carts. The platform must handle all of this without a phone call.
| Feature block | What it does | 2026 price range (EUR net) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-user customer accounts | Buyer/approver roles, company linkage | 4,000 - 9,000 |
| Per-account pricing / negotiated grid | Net prices, volume discounts, contract rates | 6,000 - 14,000 |
| Quick order | SKU entry, CSV import, recurring lists | 3,500 - 8,000 |
| Credit limits & payment terms | Credit cap, net 30/60, blocking | 4,000 - 10,000 |
| ERP integration (catalogue, stock, orders) | Bidirectional flow, real-time stock | 8,000 - 25,000 |
| Quote & reorder portal | History, quote-to-order conversion | 3,000 - 7,000 |
A solid core (accounts + pricing + quick order + simple ERP) lands around 35,000 - 50,000 EUR net. Advanced functions (multi-level approval, multi-currency, PIM) push toward 70,000 - 90,000 EUR net.
SaaS B2B or custom: the core comparison
| Criterion | Shopify Plus B2B | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 2,000+ EUR/month platform | 30,000 - 90,000 EUR net one-off |
| Complex negotiated pricing | Standard, limited beyond | Custom, no limit |
| Advanced approval workflow | Paid third-party apps | Native in the quote |
| Specific ERP integration | Connectors or app dev | Dedicated middleware |
| Time to launch | 6 - 12 weeks | 12 - 20 weeks |
| Maintenance / evolution | Included + apps | 400 - 1,200 EUR/month |
Simple rule: if your pricing rules and workflow fit Shopify Plus standard, SaaS wins on time. As soon as the sales logic becomes specific (crossed tiers, ERP-driven credit, per-segment catalogues), custom regains the edge over 3 years.
Mini case study
Thomas, sales director of an industrial supplies distributor in Berlin, handles 1,100 orders/month, 60 % by phone. Each phone order takes on average 12 minutes of a rep's time (loaded cost ~35 EUR/h). That is 660 orders x 0.2 h x 35 EUR = 4,620 EUR/month of sales time spent on plain data entry.
By shifting 70 % of these orders to a self-service portal (investment 48,000 EUR net, maintenance 700 EUR/month), he saves about 3,230 EUR/month of redeployable sales time, or 38,760 EUR/year. Payback under 16 months, not counting the average basket increase seen in self-service (often +8 to +15 %).
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget to start B2B seriously?
Below 30,000 EUR net, you cut into per-account pricing or ERP integration, which are precisely the heart of B2B. A credible core starts at 30,000 - 35,000 EUR net.
How long before go-live?
Expect 12 to 20 weeks depending on ERP integration complexity. A core without deep ERP can ship in 10 weeks; a multi-pricing project with middleware needs 18 to 20 weeks.
Must I integrate the ERP from the start?
Not mandatory, but recommended: without real-time stock and pricing, you recreate double entry. A catalogue + stock flow costs 8,000 - 15,000 EUR net and pays off quickly.
What is the recurring cost after launch?
Maintenance (upkeep, evolutions, security) runs from 400 to 1,200 EUR/month depending on traffic and pace. Also budget hosting (100 - 300 EUR/month).
Will self-service upset my sales team?
Quite the opposite: it frees them from data entry to refocus on advice and acquisition. Strategic accounts keep their contact; the portal absorbs reorder volume.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of accounts, pricing rules and ERP: we will scope a costed B2B perimeter (core 35,000 EUR net or advanced platform up to 90,000 EUR net). 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.
