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Shopify has long been known as one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for retailers and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. But in recent years, it’s evolved far beyond retail. With the launch of Shopify Plus, the platform now offers advanced tools purpose-built for B2B commerce, helping businesses streamline operations, personalize buyer experiences, and scale globally.
With TradeCentric, suppliers can take Shopify’s B2B capabilities even further, connecting their storefronts directly to buyers’ eProcurement and ERP systems for true seamless, connected purchasing experience.
What Is Shopify and How Does It Work?
At its core, Shopify is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that lets businesses build, manage, and scale online stores without extensive coding or IT expertise. It provides everything from storefront design to payments, fulfillment, and analytics, all from a single dashboard.
Below are key components to how Shopify functions.
Store Creation and Management
Shopify offers an intuitive drag-and-drop website builder, customizable themes, and centralized control across multiple storefronts or sales channels. Businesses can manage web, mobile, and marketplace sales from one system.
Product and Inventory Management
Whether selling physical or digital products, Shopify simplifies product uploads, categorization, and inventory tracking. Built-in alerts help prevent stockouts and automate restock processes.
With TradeCentric’s Shopify B2B connector, buyers can shop through their purchasing system and have access to pre-negotiated prices, accurate inventory levels, and PunchOut the cart back to their eProcurement/ERP platform.
Marketing and Analytics
From built-in SEO tools to automated email campaigns, Shopify helps sellers attract and retain buyers. “Shopify Magic,” the platform’s AI assistant, offers smart recommendations for content, analytics, and personalization.
Shopify for B2B Explained
Shopify’s B2B tools, available through Shopify Plus, allow businesses to extend the same intuitive commerce experience to their wholesale and enterprise customers.
Company Profiles
Shopify’s company profiles let businesses manage multiple buyers, roles, and locations within one account—streamlining permissions and approval workflows.
Unified B2B and DTC Operations
A major advantage of Shopify Plus is its single backend for both B2B and DTC, allowing brands to manage two channels with one system while maintaining consistent branding and reporting.
Ready to streamline your B2B transactions?
What Is Shopify Plus?
Shopify Plus is the enterprise version of Shopify, designed for high-volume sellers and global brands that need more customization and scalability. It’s important to note that TradeCentric’s Shopify B2B connector supports both versions.
Enterprise-Level Commerce Capabilities
Shopify Plus provides advanced APIs, extended automation, and the ability to manage multiple storefronts, perfect for large-scale or multi-region operations.
Omnichannel Selling
It connects online, in-store (POS), and marketplace channels in one system, giving businesses a unified view of all transactions.
Performance and Security
Shopify Plus offers enterprise-grade uptime, dedicated account support, and robust data protection, all critical for global B2B operations. TradeCentric also provides this increased level of security, with certifications in both ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2, along with being PCI compliant.
Getting Started with Shopify B2B
Choose a Shopify Plus Plan
To access B2B functionality, businesses need a Shopify Plus subscription, which unlocks advanced pricing, profiles, and automation tools.
Decide on Store Structure
Companies can choose between:
- A single store for both B2B and DTC (with tailored checkouts)
- Separate storefronts managed under one backend.
Customize and Extend
Sellers can use APIs and third-party apps to build approval workflows, integrate with CRMs, or sync product and pricing data.
Integrate Your Systems
To achieve full automation, connect Shopify to ERPs or eProcurement systems through TradeCentric, which streamlines order-to-cash processes.
Benefits of Using Shopify for B2B eCommerce
Businesses using Shopify Plus for B2B operations gain:
- Centralized management of B2B and DTC channels
- Automated workflows for orders, invoices, and payments
- Personalized buyer experiences that drive loyalty
- Global scalability with multilingual and multicurrency support
- Integration capabilities through TradeCentric’s Shopify B2B Connector
How TradeCentric Enhances Shopify B2B Integrations
TradeCentric enables Shopify sellers to automate PunchOut, PO, and invoice workflows, eliminating manual entry and ensuring accuracy. This helps suppliers improve buyer satisfaction, accelerate transactions, and increase efficiency.
Streamlined Buyer Connections
TradeCentric connects Shopify Plus directly to procurement systems like Coupa, SAP Ariba, Oracle, and Jaggaer, allowing seamless transactions between buyers and sellers.
Automated Order-to-Cash Processes
From PunchOut catalog creation to PO and invoicing, TradeCentric automates every step—reducing friction and errors.
Improved Efficiency and Scale
By eliminating custom coding and manual integration work, TradeCentric helps suppliers onboard new buyers faster and scale integrations globally.
Learn how the TradeCentric B2B Connector enables PunchOut, PO, and Invoice Automation.
Frequently asked questions
Shopify supports DTC and small businesses, while Shopify Plus adds enterprise-grade tools for B2B—like custom pricing, workflows, and integrations.
Yes. Shopify Plus allows you to manage both audiences from one backend with distinct experiences.
Use TradeCentric to connect Shopify to Coupa, SAP Ariba, or Oracle for automated PunchOut, PO, and invoice processes.
Yes, Shopify Plus enables net terms and invoice-based payments, which TradeCentric can automate directly into your buyers’ systems.
