The verdict in three sentences
A custom B2B e-commerce portal (catalog with per-customer pricing, fast reordering, multi-user accounts and online quotes) runs EUR 35,000 to 70,000 in 2026 depending on the complexity of your pricing rules and ERP integrations. Below that scope, a packaged offer such as Shopify Plus B2B or BigCommerce (EUR 2,000-2,500/month) is often enough. Custom becomes the right call the moment your negotiated prices, quotas and approval workflows outgrow a template.
What each building block costs in 2026
A B2B portal is not a consumer store: the value sits in account management, negotiated pricing and the reorder flow. Here is the breakdown of a typical project, as a 2026 order of magnitude for the international market.
| Module | Scope | Range (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Catalog + negotiated pricing | Per-customer/group grids, volume tiers | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| B2B ordering flow | Quick order, CSV import, quotas | 10,000 - 20,000 |
| Customer accounts & roles | Multi-user, buyer approval | 6,000 - 12,000 |
| Online quoting | Request, negotiation, conversion | 4,000 - 8,000 |
| ERP / stock integration | Real-time connector, availability | 5,000 - 12,000 |
| Design + UX + QA | Mockups, responsive, testing | 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Project total | Full platform | 35,000 - 70,000 |
The two line items that overrun most often are negotiated pricing (when every customer has their own grid with volume tiers) and ERP synchronization (real-time availability and prices). Scope those first in the specification workshop.
Custom vs SaaS: the real trade-off
The question is not the sticker price but the 3-year total cost, factoring in subscriptions, paid add-ons and functional limits.
| Criterion | Custom | Shopify Plus B2B / BigCommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | EUR 35,000 - 70,000 | EUR 3,000 - 8,000 (setup) |
| Monthly subscription | 0 (hosting 150-400) | EUR 2,000 - 2,500/month |
| Complex negotiated pricing | Unlimited | Limited / add-ons |
| Approval workflows | Fully custom | Standardized |
| 3-year cost (order of magnitude) | EUR 45,000 - 85,000 | EUR 75,000 - 95,000 |
| Vendor lock-in | None | High |
Over three years, custom often ends up cheaper than a premium SaaS plan while removing vendor lock-in. SaaS stays unbeatable when you want to launch in six weeks with standard rules.
Mini case study
Sarah, COO of an industrial supplies wholesaler in Rotterdam, manages 320 trade accounts. Her sales reps spend roughly 40% of their time keying in orders by phone and email. She invests EUR 52,000 in a custom portal with negotiated pricing and quick reordering.
Result over 12 months: 28% of orders shift to self-service, freeing the equivalent of a half-time sales role (about EUR 22,000/year) and lifting average order value by 9% through smart reorder suggestions. Break-even lands at 19 months, excluding customer-satisfaction gains.
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FAQ
How long to deliver a custom B2B portal?
Budget 3 to 5 months for a standard scope (catalog, pricing, accounts, ERP). Projects with complex online quoting or multiple entities stretch to 6-7 months.
Can we start small and expand?
Yes. Many clients launch catalog + reordering first (around EUR 25,000), then add quoting and approvals in phase 2. That is the safest path to ROI.
What concrete gain should I expect?
On average +15% to +30% of orders in self-service in year one and a marked drop in order-taking calls. The real lever is sales time reallocated to prospecting.
Do we have to replace the ERP at the same time?
No. In most cases we connect the existing ERP (SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite) via API or connector. Still, budget EUR 5,000 to 12,000 for that integration.
Is custom riskier than SaaS?
Less than it used to be: with serious scoping and a standard architecture the risk is contained, and you keep full ownership of code and data.
Let's scope your project. Send us your catalog, negotiated-pricing rules and ERP, and we will size a B2B portal in the EUR 35,000-70,000 range. 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.
