The verdict in three sentences
B2B e-commerce is not consumer e-commerce with a different logo: you need account-level pricing, online quotes, credit terms and ERP integration. In 2026, expect 25,000 to 70,000 EUR depending on the level of customisation and depth of integration. The real trade-off is between Shopify Plus B2B (around 2,300 EUR/month) and a custom solution that costs more upfront but removes functional limits.
The features that make a real B2B
Unlike B2C, a B2B platform's value lies in its ability to reproduce your actual commercial terms. Here is the 2026 feature grid.
| B2B feature | Why it's critical | 2026 standard |
|---|---|---|
| Account-level pricing | Each client has a negotiated grid | Essential |
| Recurring orders | Fast reordering, saved lists | High basket impact |
| Online quotes | Price request + approval | Expected |
| Credit / deferred payment | 30/60-day invoicing | Essential |
| Multi-user per account | Buyer + approver + accounting | Common |
| ERP/stock integration | Real-time price and availability | Decisive |
| Per-client catalogue | Products visible by contract | Common |
A B2B without credit terms or account pricing is just a catalogue: your clients will keep ordering by email.
Shopify Plus B2B vs custom
The choice depends on how many specific rules you have and how deeply you must integrate with your information system. Here is the 2026 ballpark comparison.
| Criterion | Shopify Plus B2B | Custom (headless) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 8,000 - 20,000 EUR (setup) | 25,000 - 70,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost | ~2,300 EUR/mo platform | hosting 150-500 EUR/mo |
| Maintenance | 300 - 800 EUR/mo | 600 - 1,500 EUR/mo |
| Timeline | 2 - 4 months | 4 - 9 months |
| Complex pricing rules | limited | unlimited |
| Deep ERP integration | via connectors | native, complete |
| UX customisation | constrained | total |
Shopify Plus B2B is excellent for starting fast with standard rules. Custom wins as soon as your terms fall outside the box or your ERP must drive prices and stock in real time.
Mini case study
Sarah, director of a supplies wholesaler in London (28 staff), handled 400 orders/month by email and phone, with around 6 % entry errors and 3 hours/day of re-keying. She invested 48,000 EUR in a custom B2B platform integrated with her ERP, plus 1,100 EUR/month in maintenance.
By digitising 70 % of orders, she saves around 2 hours/day of data entry (roughly 1,900 EUR/month of admin time) and cuts errors below 1 %, avoiding about 2,500 EUR/month in disputes and credit notes. The project pays for itself in about 11 months, before counting the basket uplift from online reordering.
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
FAQ
How much does a B2B e-commerce platform cost in 2026?
Between 25,000 and 70,000 EUR custom-built, depending on pricing rules and ERP integration. A Shopify Plus B2B base runs 8,000-20,000 EUR setup plus ~2,300 EUR/month subscription.
Can I keep my negotiated per-client prices?
Yes, that's the heart of B2B. The system applies an account grid with volume discounts and restricted catalogues. It's native in custom builds and available on Shopify Plus B2B with some limits.
How long until go-live?
Expect 4 to 9 months custom, 2 to 4 months on Shopify Plus B2B. ERP integration and catalogue migration are the longest items.
Do I need to integrate my ERP?
Strongly recommended. Without an ERP link, prices, stock and credit balances drift out of sync. Integration is often 20-35 % of the budget but prevents stockouts and pricing errors.
What maintenance budget should I plan?
Expect 600 to 1,500 EUR/month for a custom build, or 300-800 EUR/month on Shopify plus the platform subscription. Maintenance covers evolutions, security and support.
Let's scope your project. Share your number of trade customers, your pricing rules and your ERP, and we'll tell you Shopify Plus B2B or custom with an indicative budget. 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.
