Unique Needs for B2B

A B2B ecommerce site is designed primarily for transactions between businesses. Instead of a single customer purchasing items, you have entire businesses buying products or services in bulk. This is typically a reseller who receives a bulk discount and then sells those items on their own site.

Shopify's B2B features provide a full suite of tools specifically designed for the unique needs of B2B selling. You can create custom price lists, separate pages, payment terms and more. One missing feature was the option for a B2B signup form. Until recently, merchants had to manually create each company in their B2B store. Shopify has heard the calling and is now providing an easy way for merchants to create a custom signup form. Keep reading or watch our YouTube tutorial on creating a B2B signup form for your Shopify store.

Approve New Resellers

When businesses transact with other businesses, there's a higher stake involved. It's not just about selling a product, it's about establishing trust and building long-term relationships. Often times you're extending credit and payment terms in exchange for higher sales volume. You don't want to provide this discount to just anyone, so you need a way to approve resellers before you begin any B2B transaction. A signup form is the perfect first touch-point with any prospective partner.

The signup form acts as a simple starting point in verifying potential resellers. This verification process is crucial because of the unique needs and expectations of B2B transactions. When a merchant knows who their resellers are, they can provide more tailored services, foster stronger relationships, and create a more secure environment for business transactions.

The point of the B2B form is to gather relevant information from businesses that wish to register, become a partner, reseller, distributor, or engage in any form of business transaction with your company. For this type of form, you're requesting details pertinent to business operations. This might include:

• Business Name: The official name of the business entity.

• Type of Business: Whether it's a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, etc.

• Business Identification Number or Tax ID: A unique number that identifies the business for tax or regulatory purposes.

• Contact Details: Not just an email, but often a business address, phone number, and perhaps the name of a primary contact or decision-maker.

• Business Size and Operations: Information about the number of employees, annual turnover, or other metrics that give an idea of the scale and scope of the business.

• References or Previous Partnerships: Some forms might request references to understand the business's history or reputation.

The rationale behind collecting such detailed information is to ensure the legitimacy of the business entity and assess the potential viability of the partnership. It's an essential step to foster trust, ensure compliance and build a long-term business relationship. Until now, Shopify merchants didn't have a means to create such a form.

There's a Form for That

Shopify B2B merchants have been clamoring for an easy way to create a B2B form. Until recently, the only way to add companies was manually. Using the Shopify Forms App, you can now design a custom signup form to approve new companies. If you're a Shopify Plus customer using the B2B features, then simply add the Forms app to create a custom solution. The app let's you add custom fields, change the design and choose the landing page. All new companies are automatically added to your store and will await approval for full access.

How to Find More Reseller Partners

Using Shopify's new B2B Forms, you can easily create a means for potential partners to request access to your store. But once you have your form in place, how do you go about getting these new B2B partners? Finding new resellers for your B2B store involves a combination of strategic outreach, relationship building, and leveraging various marketing channels. Here are some great means you can consider for finding new resellers:

• Trade Shows and Conferences: Attending industry-specific events provides a great opportunity to meet potential resellers in person. You can present your products, showcase their benefits, and interact with potential partners face-to-face.

• Networking: Building a network in your industry is crucial. Engage with industry associations, attend seminars, or join business networking groups. The broader your network, the higher the chance that someone might refer a potential reseller to you.

• Referral Programs: Encourage your current partners or customers to refer new resellers. Offer incentives or discounts for successful referrals.

• Digital Marketing and SEO: Ensure your B2B store is easily discoverable online. Invest in search engine optimization (SEO) so that potential resellers can find you when they search for products in your niche. Running targeted ads on platforms like LinkedIn can also be effective.

• Collaborate with Industry Influencers: Engage with thought leaders or influencers in your industry. They can provide endorsements or share information about your products, increasing your visibility among potential resellers.

The goal is to build long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with resellers. Regular communication, offering competitive terms and ensuring product quality can go a long way in sustaining and growing your reseller network.

Need B2B Help?

B2B commerce is a strategy that can catapult your business to new heights. Adopting digital B2B commerce strategies can give your business a competitive edge, helping you stay ahead of the curve. If you're looking to harness the power of B2B commerce, we're here to help. We are dedicated to providing top-notch B2B services, helping businesses like yours navigate the world of B2B commerce with ease and efficiency. Contact us today!

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