How to choose B2B eCommerce solutions in 2026: 5 top platforms and tools

There are a wide variety of eCommerce platforms that have answered this need, but with their different features, setups, and price points, the journey to selecting the right B2B eCommerce solutions can be daunting. However, if you understand the needs of your customers and your brand, you’ll be prepared to make the right decision.

What are B2B eCommerce solutions?

B2B eCommerce solutions are digital platforms that enable businesses to buy and sell products or services to one another online. These tools centralize product listings, pricing, and transactions in a secure, self‑service environment that supports options like bulk orders, complex pricing structures, and personalized assortments between brands and their retail partners.

Boiled down, each solution is the technology framework that powers digital buying experiences between businesses for B2B eCommerce. Unlike consumer‑focused eCommerce systems, B2B platforms are designed to handle business‑level functions while bringing speed and transparency to every step of the buying process.

The benefits of B2B eCommerce solutions, platforms, and tools

Luckily, well-designed B2B eCommerce platforms give both brands and retailers a powerful way to grow together. These systems not only simplify how products are sold and managed, but they also let businesses build stronger relationships with their buyers.

Improved sales and reach

With an online B2B platform, your brand is always open for business — buyers can discover, browse, and purchase products at any hour, from anywhere. This expanded accessibility allows you to reach new customers across regions and time zones without needing additional sales support.

Digital catalogs and virtual showrooms also make it easier to showcase seasonal collections or high‑margin products. Over time, this consistent visibility leads to higher order frequency and greater overall sales volume.

Streamlined operational efficiency

B2B eCommerce tools automate time‑consuming manual processes, from order entry and inventory tracking to payment collection and invoicing. By reducing dependence on phone and email orders, your team can focus more on relationship management and strategic growth.

Integration with ERP and CRM systems ensures data moves seamlessly between departments, eliminating redundancies and minimizing fulfillment errors. The result is a smoother, faster order‑to‑cash cycle with fewer operational headaches.

Improved customer experience and satisfaction

Today’s B2B buyers expect the same convenience and speed they find in B2C shopping — accurate product information, personalized pricing, and frictionless checkout. A well‑built eCommerce platform allows customers to shop independently, review real‑time stock availability, and reorder products with a few clicks. The ability to self‑serve builds trust and satisfaction, while the convenience of online collaboration tools strengthens long‑term loyalty.

Data-backed insights and decisions

Every digital transaction provides valuable information about what customers buy, when, and how often. B2B eCommerce platforms collect and visualize this data, helping you predict demand, optimize assortment planning, and tailor promotions with precision.

Real‑time reporting also gives teams immediate visibility into product performance and customer behavior. These insights allow brands to pivot quickly — adjusting strategies before trends shift or opportunities pass.

Choosing B2B eCommerce solutions: Assessing the needs of buyers

B2B platforms vs. B2C platforms

Because of their rapid turn toward digital solutions, modern-day B2B customers seek the majority of the same features you’d see in a B2C buying experience. With this in mind, the general foundation of an effective B2B eCommerce solution starts with understanding B2C platforms and their typical features. 

Needs B2B and B2C consumers share 

Both B2C customers and B2B buyers need their eCommerce platform to have:

• An independent, on-demand shopping experience
• Attractive and easy platform for buyers to place orders
• Detailed information about products, interactive photos

From looking at these shared expected features, we can start to get a sense of understanding B2B buyers’ needs. Consumers (both B2C customers and B2B buyers) are becoming more selective about their buying experiences, and expect the tools to independently, efficiently, and knowledgeably purchase what they need. 

Specific needs of B2B Consumers

Because they’re placing large orders that aren’t for personal use, B2B buyers will need additional features and considerations that an average B2C buyer doesn’t need. With that being said, in addition to the shared features listed above, consider that B2B buyers will likely need additional features, like:

• Advanced product specifications and details that B2C consumers might not care about
• Highest-quality product images that allow them to evaluate products more in-depth than required by B2B customers
• A simple shopping experience that provides the ability to purchase high-volumes of product easily
• Trusted, effective payment solutions for placing large orders with confidence

Assessing the needs of your business

The tailoring of your B2B eCommerce platform of choice should align with your business’s plans for growth. This means asking yourself: what are your needs today, what will they be, and where do you see your business going? Once you have the answers to these questions, keep them in mind as you evaluate the features of different platforms. This will help you ensure your platform will be a good fit for the needs of your business right now and in the future. 

Key features to look for when assessing B2B eCommerce solutions

The most effective solution is one that empowers your team and your buyers to work smarter together, right from the start. Here are some core features to look out for that make that possible:

Account management and user roles

Strong account management tools let businesses grant different access levels and permissions across sales teams, retailers, and admins. This structure ensures sensitive information—like custom pricing or pending orders—remains secure while keeping workflows clear. For buyers, the ability to manage multiple users and approval chains makes large‑order purchasing more organized and efficient.

Flexible payment options

B2B transactions often involve larger orders, longer lead times, and negotiated terms. Platforms that support multiple payment types—credit, ACH, purchase orders, and even digital wallets—create flexibility and trust. Offering these options reduces friction at checkout and helps customers complete orders in ways that align with their business operations.

Integration options

No B2B system exists in isolation. Integrations with ERP, CRM, and accounting software ensure that data flows seamlessly across your business. Real‑time synchronization minimizes errors, creates end‑to‑end visibility, and allows sales teams, finance departments, and logistics to work from a single source of truth.

Real-time inventory and data updates

Clean, and always‑updated data is essential for forecasting demand and eliminating supply chain surprises. A platform that provides real‑time inventory visibility prevents overselling, builds buyer confidence, and improves fulfillment accuracy. When decision‑makers can see what’s available instantly, they can plan promotions, production, and purchasing with precision.

Personalized and customizable customer experience

B2B buyers value relevant, tailored experiences that reflect their unique agreements and preferences. Platforms that allow custom pricing, curated product assortments, and private catalogs strengthen relationships and boost loyalty. This personalization not only increases satisfaction but also makes your brand a preferred partner in long‑term business planning.

Virtual Showrooms

Modern digital showrooms replicate the hands-on experience of in‑person buying, offering interactive product views, videos, and 360‑degree imagery. These immersive environments help buyers explore items more intuitively, reducing uncertainty and increasing purchase confidence. For brands, virtual showrooms create an engaging, visually rich presentation of products that differentiates them from competitors.

Email shopping capabilities

Email shopping allows buyers to browse, select, and even purchase directly from curated product emails—bridging marketing and sales in a seamless workflow. It keeps customers connected without requiring them to log into a separate portal. This convenience drives reorders, encourages discovery, and creates more efficient, personalized paths to purchase.

Custom assortment planning

Collaborative assortment planning tools enable buyers and sellers to build collections together in real time. This feature aligns seasonal planning, minimizes guesswork, and ensures that both sides agree on quantities and product mixes before finalizing orders. The result is a more transparent, strategic relationship built on shared insights rather than assumptions.

5 Examples of B2B eCommerce solutions

There’s not often one‑size‑fits‑all B2B eCommerce solution for any company — each platform offers unique strengths depending on your business model, product type, and buyer relationships. Below are five proven and established solutions that demonstrate how brands are adapting to growing digital wholesale.

1. Lightspeed

Lightspeed delivers a flexible commerce platform built to simplify complex retail and wholesale operations. Known for its all‑in‑one approach, Lightspeed combines inventory management, analytics, and multi‑channel selling in one streamlined environment. B2B businesses benefit from features like integrated payments, custom catalogs, and real‑time data visibility that support smarter selling and faster fulfillment.

2. Salesforce Agentforce Commerce

Salesforce Commerce Cloud provides an enterprise‑grade infrastructure with deep CRM and marketing automation capabilities. It’s ideal for large organizations that need to deliver personalized, data‑driven shopping experiences at scale. The platform’s strength lies in its ability to unify customer data across sales, service, and marketing departments.

3. NuORDER

NuORDER stands out as a true digital wholesale platform purpose‑built for B2B buying and selling. It offers a visually immersive interface with virtual showrooms, assortment planning, and real‑time collaboration tools that make it easy for brands and retailers to connect. By blending beautiful design with operational efficiency, NuORDER helps both sides of the B2B equation work together more efficiently and sell smarter.

4. Salsify

Salsify focuses on product experience management (PXM), giving brands a centralized hub to control how their products appear across every digital channel. With capabilities for syndicating content, managing product data, and optimizing digital shelf performance, Salsify enables consistency and accuracy in B2B and B2C environments alike.

5. Showpad

Showpad bridges sales enablement and eCommerce by equipping teams with interactive content and buyer engagement tools. Its platform is designed to help sales representatives deliver personalized product stories, track buyer activity, and enhance digital presentations. For B2B organizations invested in strong sales content and buyer education, Showpad offers a powerful way to drive conversion through informed experiences.

What does the right B2B eCommerce solution look like?

After exploring the foundations, benefits, and leading examples, it’s clear that the right B2B eCommerce platform is one that strikes a balance between functionality, flexibility, and user experience. The best solutions cater equally to both sides of the B2B relationship—empowering brands to grow efficiently and giving buyers the independence and insights they need to make confident decisions. 

Based on what we’ve looked at so far, the best B2B eCommerce solutions:

• Build on the intuitive, on‑demand expectations of modern B2C platforms.

• Deliver an attractive, efficient user experience that makes complex ordering simple for B2B buyers.
• Provide robust, real‑time data visibility to forecast, plan, and adapt to market changes.
• Integrate seamlessly with ERP, CRM, accounting, and fulfillment platforms for total operational alignment.
• Offer flexibility to modify, update, and customize orders with ease.
• Support personalized customer experiences through tailored pricing, curated assortments, and branded digital showrooms.
• Incorporate advanced features like email shopping, virtual showrooms, and collaborative assortment planning to create a more immersive buying journey.

In essence, the right B2B eCommerce tools don’t just facilitate transactions—they strengthen your relationships, streamline operations, and create shared value for both brands and retailers.

The right B2B solution is two-sided

A true, specific B2B eCommerce solution doesn’t just serve one side of the B2B equation—it benefits both brands and retailers, enabling them to grow together. 

The right B2B eCommerce solution will provide buyers with the data and tools they need to choose, order, manage, and order products.

On the other side of the equation, your B2B eCommerce solution increases your brand’s productivity, accuracy, and efficiency.

If you’re looking for a B2B eCommerce solution that was purpose-designed to build these types of relationships—see why NuORDER is a leading global platform.