The verdict in three sentences
Shopify Plus B2B is an excellent choice if your catalogue, pricing and logistics fit its standard models, but the licence starts at USD 2,300 per month and integration costs EUR 15,000 to 50,000. A custom platform from Kolonell ranges from EUR 6,100 to 22,870 excl. VAT (4 to 15 M FCFA), with no licence and your B2B rules coded as they are. Over 3 years, the gap often exceeds EUR 60,000 in favour of custom for a distributor with complex rules, while Shopify Plus keeps the edge for a fast launch with few specifics.
What Shopify Plus B2B covers, and what remains to build
Shopify Plus's B2B module handles company accounts, catalogues per company, fixed or percentage pricing, minimum quantities and payment terms. For a janitorial and hygiene supplies distributor (consumables, cleaning chemicals, equipment), the hard parts lie elsewhere: hazardous goods with transport rules, multiple pack sizes (unit, case, pallet), annual contracts with price reviews, orders per site for multi-location groups. Each case needs a third-party app or custom development.
| B2B rule | Shopify Plus B2B | Kolonell custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Catalogues and prices per company | Native | Native, read from the ERP |
| Stacked discounts (contract + volume + promo) | Partial, often via an app | Rules coded to your policy |
| Unit, case, pallet pack sizes | Variants or third-party app | Native sales units and conversions |
| Multi-site groups with budgets per site | Partial | Parent accounts, caps per site |
| Hazardous goods and safety data sheets | Development or app | Regulatory fields and shipping blocks |
| Credit limit and blocking | Payment terms, blocking via an app | Synced with accounting |
| ERP connection | Market connectors or middleware | Dedicated connector included |
Total cost over 3 years: the 2026 figures
The amounts below are 2026 orders of magnitude for a distributor with about EUR 2 M of online revenue. Card fees of 1.5% to 2.9% depending on the gateway and card type apply in both scenarios and do not separate the options, except for extra fees Shopify applies if you use a third-party gateway.
| Item | Shopify Plus B2B | Kolonell custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | From USD 2,300 per month (about EUR 2,100) | None |
| Initial integration | EUR 15,000 to 50,000 | EUR 6,100 to 22,870 excl. VAT |
| Third-party apps | EUR 200 to 800 per month | Features built into the core |
| Hosting | Included | EUR 100 to 250 per month |
| Maintenance | Agency, EUR 300 to 1,000 per month | 35,000 to 120,000 FCFA per month (EUR 50 to 180) |
| Payment fees | 1.5% to 2.9% per transaction | 1.5% to 2.9% per transaction |
| 3-year total (excl. payment fees, median scenario) | 2,100 × 36 + 30,000 + 500 × 36 + 500 × 36 = EUR 141,600 | 18,000 + (180 + 180) × 36 = EUR 30,960 |
Platform dependency and exit options
With Shopify Plus, the platform evolves without you: good news for security and performance, a constraint when a third-party app changes its pricing or disappears. A custom build needs a reliable provider and clean documentation, but the code, database and hosting belong to you.
| Risk criterion | Shopify Plus B2B | Kolonell custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Code ownership | Theme only | Full code handed over |
| Imposed price increases | Possible at each renewal | No licence |
| App dependency | High beyond 5 to 10 apps | Low |
| Launch time | 8 to 14 weeks | 12 to 20 weeks |
| Leaving the platform | Data migration and theme rewrite | Hosting provider can change |
Mini case study
Michael, CEO of a janitorial and hygiene supplies distributor in New York, compares two quotes. Shopify Plus: EUR 2,100 of licence, EUR 30,000 of integration, EUR 500 of apps and EUR 500 of maintenance per month. Over 3 years, he reaches EUR 141,600. The custom build at EUR 18,000 excl. VAT, with EUR 180 of hosting and EUR 180 of Premium maintenance per month, comes to EUR 30,960. The EUR 110,640 gap funds several years of improvements. Michael does note a launch 4 to 6 weeks longer and the need for documented code so he does not depend on a single provider.
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FAQ
How much does Shopify Plus cost for a B2B distributor in 2026?
The licence starts at about USD 2,300 per month, and agency integration ranges from EUR 15,000 to 50,000. Third-party apps often add EUR 200 to 800 per month.
How much does a custom B2B platform from Kolonell cost?
Between EUR 6,100 and 22,870 excl. VAT (4 to 15 M FCFA) depending on B2B rules, ERP connectors and the number of catalogues. There is no monthly licence, only hosting and maintenance.
Do payment fees differ between the options?
Very little: plan 1.5% to 2.9% per card transaction in both cases. Shopify may add fees if you do not use its gateway, and net-30 bank transfers carry no commission in either scenario.
When is Shopify Plus still the best choice?
When your B2B rules fit the native module, you want to launch in under 3 months and the licence weighs less than 2% of your online revenue.
Can we migrate from Shopify to custom later?
Yes, products, customers and orders can be exported, but the theme and apps do not transfer. A full migration takes 12 to 20 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Send us your pricing rules, your ERP and the Shopify quote you received: we will price the custom alternative between EUR 6,100 and 22,870 excl. VAT with a 3-year cost comparison. Detailed quote within 48 h via our quote form. 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.
