This guide is for UK manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers that need to build or rebuild a B2B eCommerce system – not a DTC storefront with a wholesale tab bolted on. Disclosure: Webdigita appears at position 2. Our B2B eCommerce development services page covers what we build and how we price it.
- 93% of B2B buyers now use eCommerce for procurement needs – but 98% report problems with B2B checkout experiences (Hokodo, 2024)
- UK B2B eCommerce is projected to exceed £250 billion by 2027 – the majority of this is still serviced by phone, email and paper order forms
- B2B eCommerce development projects in the UK range from £15,000 for simple trade portals to £250,000+ for enterprise Adobe Commerce builds with ERP, PIM and approval workflow integration
There is no single best platform for B2B eCommerce in the UK. Shopify B2B on Plus is the right choice for simple wholesale portals where customer-specific pricing and trade account registration are the primary requirements and catalogue complexity is low. WooCommerce B2B works for small to mid-market manufacturers with WordPress familiarity and modest integration needs. Magento / Adobe Commerce B2B handles complex catalogue structures, tiered pricing by account, multi-store operations, PunchOut and ERP integration at a level the other platforms cannot match natively. The platform decision should follow the system requirements analysis, not the agency’s preferred stack.
Quick picks
- Best B2B-exclusive agency with award-winning build capability: 9xb (Leeds, Shopify / BigCommerce / Magento)
- Best governance-led B2B build at 40% below market average: Webdigita (from £21,000)
- Best for Magento B2B with proprietary trade portal platform: Rixxo (Bristol) and Fluid Commerce (UK)
- Best for complex ERP-integrated B2B catalogues: magic42 (Birmingham, 240k catalogue case study)
- Best for enterprise Adobe Commerce B2B: Williams Commerce (Gold Partner, EMEA Specialization)
What B2B eCommerce development actually requires that DTC development does not
The mistake most manufacturers and distributors make when commissioning a B2B eCommerce build is briefing it like a DTC project. The agency produces a Shopify store with a price list. The client launches it. Their trade customers cannot see account-specific pricing, cannot set up approval workflows for junior buyers, and cannot place orders against their agreed credit terms. The store sits alongside the existing phone-based ordering process rather than replacing it.
B2B eCommerce is a system design problem, not a storefront design problem. The table below shows the system requirements that separate a genuine B2B build from a trade tab on a DTC store.
| B2B requirement | What it means technically | Shopify B2B (Plus) | WooCommerce B2B | Magento / Adobe Commerce B2B |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer-specific pricing | Different price per account, not just discount tiers | Yes – company catalogues on Plus | Yes – via B2BWoo or WholesaleX plugins | Yes – native, per customer group |
| Trade account registration and approval | Separate registration flow with admin approval before access | Yes – via B2B on Plus | Yes – via plugins | Yes – native B2B module |
| Role-based access (buyer / approver) | Junior buyer submits, manager approves before order placed | Limited – Shopify B2B has company contacts but approval flows are basic | Plugin-dependent – complex to configure well | Yes – native approval workflows and purchase orders |
| Credit terms / payment on account | Net 30, Net 60, purchase order number at checkout | Partial – Shopify B2B has payment terms; invoice generation limited | Plugin-dependent | Yes – native credit limit and payment on account |
| Minimum order quantities / order multiples | Case quantities, pack sizes, minimum spend per order | Via apps | Via plugins | Native |
| Product visibility by account | Show/hide products or categories per customer group | Yes – company catalogues | Yes – via plugins | Yes – category permissions per group |
| Quote request / RFQ | Customer requests a price before committing to order | Via third-party apps | Via plugins | Native Adobe Commerce B2B |
| PunchOut / EDI integration | Buyer places order via their own procurement system | Limited – requires custom development | Very limited | Yes – Adobe Commerce B2B includes PunchOut |
| ERP real-time stock and pricing sync | Live stock levels and account prices pulled from ERP | Via Shopify API and middleware | Via WooCommerce API and middleware | Via Magento API – more complex but more native B2B data models |
| Multi-store / multi-brand management | Different storefronts for different brands or markets from one backend | Multiple Shopify stores or Markets (Plus) | WordPress multisite | Native multi-website from one Magento instance |
The right platform for your B2B build is determined by how many rows in the Magento column you need. If you need three or more, the additional complexity and cost of Magento / Adobe Commerce B2B is usually justified. If you need two or fewer, Shopify B2B on Plus is likely the more practical path for a UK mid-market manufacturer.
Quick comparison: 9 B2B eCommerce development agencies
| # | Agency | Best for | UK Base | Platform focus | B2B specialism | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9xb | B2B-exclusive, award-winning UX and build | Leeds | Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento | B2B-only agency | ££££ |
| 2 | Webdigita | Governance-led B2B build, platform-agnostic | London / Reading / Birmingham | Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento | B2B builds across all platforms | £££ |
| 3 | Rixxo | B2B-focused, Magento B2B packages, Shopwise | Bristol / UK | Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce | B2B-primary agency | £££ |
| 4 | Fluid Commerce | Proprietary Portal platform, Magento B2B | UK | Magento, Adobe Commerce, Shopify | Proprietary B2B portal product | ££££ |
| 5 | magic42 | 240k catalogue ERP builds, B2B multi-site | Birmingham | Magento, Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus | Deep Magento B2B portfolio | £££ |
| 6 | ChilliApple | B2B food and industrial, consultancy-first | London / Kent | Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce | B2B sector portfolio | £££ |
| 7 | Williams Commerce | Enterprise Adobe Commerce B2B | UK (4 offices) | Adobe Commerce (Gold + EMEA) | Enterprise B2B, internationalisation | £££££ |
| 8 | Kanuka Digital | ISO-certified, Platinum WooExpert, B2B catalogues | Stafford | WooCommerce, WordPress | B2B catalogue management | £££ |
| 9 | Limely | Trade portals, customer pricing, UX-first | Chester | Magento, Shopify Plus, WooCommerce | B2B trade portal builds | £££ |
How we selected and ranked these agencies
I evaluated nine agencies against four criteria: a confirmed B2B eCommerce service offering with system-level scope (not just “we build B2B stores”), evidence of B2B builds from public case studies or client reviews showing relevant B2B functionality (account pricing, ERP integration, trade accounts), UK presence confirmed from public sources, and platform credentials appropriate to B2B development. Ranking prioritises B2B specialism over general eCommerce capability – an agency that builds great DTC stores occasionally does B2B is not the same as one whose portfolio and methodology is built around trade commerce.
Webdigita appears at position 2. We applied the same criteria to ourselves.
Pricing key: £££ = mid-market (£21,000-£50,000) · ££££ = established (£50,000-£100,000) · £££££ = enterprise (£100,000+)
Agency profiles
1. 9xb
The Leeds B2B eCommerce agency that does nothing but B2B – which means every process, methodology and case study in their portfolio is directly relevant to a manufacturer or distributor evaluating them
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce strategy, UX and UI design for trade buying journeys, B2B development on Shopify, BigCommerce and Magento, post-launch optimisation, account-based purchasing and trade workflows
- Office Locations
- Leeds, UK
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- Distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers across multiple sectors (case studies on website); UK eCommerce Awards shortlisted and awarded
- Platform Focus
- Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce)
- Pricing
- ££££ (established)
Why choose 9xb
- B2B-exclusive positioning is the clearest differentiator on this list – every engagement is a B2B eCommerce project, which means their discovery methodology, their UX design process and their development approach are all calibrated for trade buying behaviour rather than adapted from DTC processes
- UK eCommerce Awards shortlisted and awarded for their B2B work – independently judged recognition of build quality and commercial outcomes on live trading stores, not a general agency quality award
- Strategic discovery and technical consultancy runs before any design or build begins – for manufacturers moving from phone-based ordering to eCommerce, the discovery process that maps the existing ordering workflow to a digital equivalent is where most B2B projects succeed or fail, and 9xb treat it as a standalone deliverable
Evidence sources: 9xb.com (B2B-exclusive positioning confirmed, Shopify/BigCommerce/Magento confirmed, strategic discovery confirmed), rixxo.com B2B agencies roundup (9xb confirmed, Leeds, award-winning), UK eCommerce Awards records (shortlisted and awarded confirmed)
Ideal for
UK distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers who want a B2B-only agency where every member of the team works exclusively on trade commerce – particularly businesses that have been poorly served by DTC agencies who treated their B2B requirements as an edge case.
Think twice if
You also run a significant D2C operation alongside your B2B channel and want one agency managing both. 9xb’s focus is exclusively B2B – if DTC and B2B need to be built and maintained together under one relationship, a multi-model agency is a better fit.
2. Webdigita
B2B eCommerce builds where platform, roles, pricing and ERP integrations are designed as a connected system from the start – not added as features after the storefront is built
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce development on Shopify, WooCommerce and Magento, trade account systems, customer-specific pricing, ERP integration, role-based access, B2B platform selection consultancy
- Office Locations
- London, Reading, Birmingham
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- Long-term eCommerce partnerships averaging 8-10 years across B2B and D2C sectors
- Platform Focus
- Shopify B2B (Plus), WooCommerce B2B, Magento B2B / Adobe Commerce
- Pricing
- From £21,000 – approximately 40% below the UK market average of £35,000 for comparable B2B eCommerce development engagements
Why choose Webdigita
- Platform-agnostic B2B development across Shopify, WooCommerce and Magento means the platform recommendation is based on the system requirements analysis rather than the agency’s preferred stack – customer-specific pricing, trade account approval workflows and ERP integration requirements determine the platform, not the other way around
- B2B system design is treated as a pre-build deliverable – the customer roles, pricing logic, product visibility rules, approval workflows and ERP data flows are mapped and documented before development begins, which prevents the scope expansions that occur when these requirements surface during build
- Pricing from £21,000 is approximately 40% below the UK market average of £35,000 for comparable mid-complexity B2B development engagements – boutique team model, not a shortcut on system design depth
Evidence sources: webdigita.co.uk (b2b-ecommerce, shopify-b2b, woocommerce-b2b, magento-b2b service pages, client testimonials), LinkedIn (11-50 employees, founded 2011)
Ideal for
UK manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers generating £2M to £50M who need a platform-agnostic B2B eCommerce build with customer-specific pricing, trade account management and ERP integration – at mid-market pricing with three UK office locations.
Think twice if
You need an Adobe Gold Partner or enterprise certification for a formal procurement process, or a 100+ person team for parallel workstreams on a very large Adobe Commerce B2B build.
View Webdigita B2B eCommerce development services →
Webdigita produced this guide and appears at position 2. The same evaluation criteria were applied to our agency as to every other entry on this list.
3. Rixxo
The Bristol B2B eCommerce agency that has built their own Shopify-Orderwise integration product – a signal that they have solved a real UK B2B integration problem often enough to productise the solution
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce development on Magento, Shopify and BigCommerce, ERP integration, WMS and OMS connections, B2B platform consultancy, Shopwise (proprietary Shopify-Orderwise integration), Foundations discovery process
- Office Locations
- Bristol (UK)
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- Huboo (middleware billing/SAP integration), WooCommerce/Orderwise integration client (four-year operational problem resolved), B2B manufacturers and distributors across UK sectors
- Platform Focus
- Magento, Shopify, BigCommerce
- Pricing
- £££ (mid-market, Magento B2B package from £25,000)
Why choose Rixxo
- Shopwise is a proprietary integration product connecting Shopify and Orderwise, built because they had solved the same Shopify-Orderwise integration problem for multiple UK clients and decided to package it rather than rebuild it each time. Agencies that productise integration solutions understand the problem at a deeper level than agencies who quote custom integration work for every client
- Magento B2B package from £25,000 bundles market-leading extensions with Magento Open Source and a flexible B2B theme – giving UK manufacturers a faster path to a fully functional B2B Magento store than a fully custom build while remaining configurable for sector-specific requirements
- Huboo case study documents a custom middleware build bridging billing software and SAP – complex systems integration work that resulted in tasks previously taking days completing in minutes. That depth of systems thinking is what separates genuine B2B agencies from storefront developers claiming B2B capability
Evidence sources: rixxo.com (Shopwise product page, Magento B2B package from £25,000 confirmed, Foundations discovery process, Huboo case study, WooCommerce/Orderwise integration testimonial), LinkedIn (Bristol UK, B2B eCommerce primary positioning since 2012)
Ideal for
UK wholesalers and distributors on Shopify needing Orderwise integration, or manufacturers evaluating Magento B2B who want a packaged starting point with known extension stack rather than a blank-canvas custom build at higher cost and longer timeline.
Think twice if
You need Adobe Commerce Gold certification for a procurement process or a large team for enterprise-scale parallel delivery. Rixxo operates at mid-market scale – strong systems thinking, lower capacity ceiling than Williams Commerce or larger agencies.
4. Fluid Commerce
The UK Magento B2B agency that built a proprietary B2B feature platform for wholesalers, distributors and suppliers rather than configuring the same extension stack from scratch on every project
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce on Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce, Portal (proprietary B2B feature platform), Hyva development, conversion-by-design, ERP and OMS integration, B2B system design
- Office Locations
- UK
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- UK wholesalers, distributors and suppliers (confirmed on website and Adobe partner directory)
- Platform Focus
- Magento Open Source, Adobe Commerce, Shopify, Hyvae
- Pricing
- ££££ (established)
Why choose Fluid Commerce
- Portal is a pre-built B2B feature platform for Magento Open Source, enabling wholesalers, distributors and suppliers to launch a fully functional B2B store with account pricing, trade registration, approval workflows and catalogue management already configured – reduces build time and extension risk compared to assembling a custom extension stack per project
- Portal also solves the Adobe Commerce to Magento Open Source migration scenario for B2B merchants who want to exit Adobe Commerce licensing costs without losing B2B functionality – a specific use case that few UK agencies have explicitly addressed
- Conversion-by-design approach means B2B UX is treated as a commercial outcome driver, not just a functional requirement – the evidence from the research confirms their clients cite technical capability and industry knowledge as the differentiator, not just platform delivery
Evidence sources: fluidcommerce.co.uk (Portal product confirmed, B2B positioning for wholesalers/distributors/suppliers confirmed, Adobe Commerce to Magento Open Source migration via Portal confirmed), Adobe Commerce partner directory, client testimonial on website
Ideal for
UK wholesalers and distributors committed to Magento who want a pre-built B2B platform foundation (Portal) rather than a custom extension stack build, and merchants migrating from Adobe Commerce to Magento Open Source who need to preserve B2B functionality.
Think twice if
Your B2B requirements are primarily Shopify Plus or WooCommerce B2B. Fluid Commerce’s strongest documented B2B capability is Magento-based – their Portal product is built for Magento Open Source and their client base reflects Magento B2B rather than cross-platform.
5. magic42
The Birmingham agency that maintains a live B2B Magento site with a 240,000 product catalogue and Khaos Control ERP integration – a production-scale proof of B2B eCommerce capability that most agencies cite in case studies rather than maintain in production
- Specialisms
- B2B Magento Open Source and Adobe Commerce development, B2B Shopify Plus, ERP integration, Hyvae theme development, multi-site B2B builds, POS integration
- Office Locations
- Birmingham, UK
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- International B2B Magento Hyvae site with 240k catalogue and Khaos Control integration, Adobe Commerce B2B and B2C with complex ERP, B2B Magento with OGL Software integrations, British Gymnastics, Canonbury (Adobe Commerce B2B multisite)
- Platform Focus
- Magento Open Source, Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus
- Pricing
- £££ (mid-market to established)
Why choose magic42
- A live international B2B Magento Hyvae site with 240,000 products and Khaos Control ERP integration is the most specific evidence of B2B catalogue scale on this list – maintaining that in production over time demonstrates the operational depth that a B2B build requires beyond launch
- Magento certified developers who also build on Shopify Plus and maintain both platforms – the cross-platform knowledge is particularly relevant for B2B merchants who want to understand whether their requirements actually need Magento complexity or whether Shopify B2B on Plus would cover their use case
- Born from a £12M Birmingham electronics retailer – they have managed B2B and trade commerce from the merchant side, which changes the commercial judgements they make when a B2B project scope is being set
Evidence sources: magic42.co.uk/clients (240k catalogue Khaos Control case study confirmed, Canonbury Adobe Commerce B2B multisite, OGL Software integrations), magic42.co.uk (Magento certified developers, 20 years eCommerce, born from retailer)
Ideal for
UK manufacturers and distributors with large product catalogues, complex ERP integrations or multi-site B2B requirements who need an agency that has managed comparable builds in production – particularly those evaluating Magento against Shopify Plus for their B2B requirements.
Think twice if
You need a large team for enterprise-scale Adobe Commerce B2B with multiple parallel workstreams. magic42 is a Birmingham boutique – strong technical depth, lower capacity ceiling than Williams Commerce for genuinely enterprise scope.
6. ChilliApple
The UK eCommerce consultancy with a confirmed B2B portfolio in food distribution and industrial products – the sectors where eCommerce must integrate tightly with internal systems and support complex ordering patterns
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce strategy and consultancy, Magento development, Shopify development, WooCommerce development, systems integration, technology roadmapping, B2B food distribution and industrial sectors
- Office Locations
- London (UK management), Kent
- Team Size
- 70+ (UK management with India-based development team)
- Notable Clients
- B2B food distribution clients, industrial products and equipment suppliers (confirmed in independent roundup), Versapak, Oxford Products Ltd, Merlin Workwear
- Platform Focus
- Magento (Adobe Commerce), Shopify, WooCommerce
- Pricing
- £££ (mid-market)
Why choose ChilliApple
- Consultancy-first approach – they start with audits of current systems, identification of bottlenecks and technology roadmaps before committing to a build, which is the right starting point for manufacturers moving from manual ordering processes to eCommerce and not yet sure which platform their requirements demand
- Confirmed portfolio in B2B food distribution and industrial equipment – industries where eCommerce must integrate with existing WMS, ERP and stock systems and support complex ordering patterns (minimum quantities, case packs, scheduled deliveries, trade credit). That sector experience reduces discovery time and prevents the assumptions that cost projects when a general agency meets B2B requirements for the first time
- Multi-platform capability across Magento, Shopify and WooCommerce means the platform recommendation follows the requirements rather than the agency’s strongest capability
Evidence sources: rixxo.com B2B agencies roundup (ChilliApple confirmed, Kent, B2B food distribution and industrial portfolio, consultancy-first approach, certified Magento developers), agency website (chilliapple.co.uk, platform coverage confirmed)
Ideal for
UK B2B manufacturers and distributors in food, drink, industrial or equipment sectors who want a consultancy-led engagement that maps requirements before committing to a platform – particularly businesses where internal complexity and tech stack debt need assessing before build starts.
Think twice if
You need a B2B-only agency or one whose entire portfolio is trade commerce. ChilliApple works across B2B and B2C – their B2B experience is strong but not as singular a focus as 9xb or Rixxo.
7. Williams Commerce
The Adobe Gold Partner with EMEA Adobe Commerce Specialization whose client base includes B2B enterprises that need the deepest Adobe Commerce B2B feature set and international trading capability
- Specialisms
- Adobe Commerce B2B development, enterprise B2B catalogue management, internationalisation, ERP integration, digital marketing, UX design
- Office Locations
- UK (multiple offices, part of Brandwidth Group)
- Team Size
- 110+
- Notable Clients
- Rayware Group, Virbac, City Lit, Beck
- Platform Focus
- Adobe Commerce (Gold Partner, EMEA Specialization)
- Pricing
- £££££ (enterprise)
Why choose Williams Commerce
- EMEA Adobe Commerce Specialization places them in a small selected group of agencies across Europe, Middle East and Africa – for enterprise B2B merchants who need the full Adobe Commerce B2B feature set including PunchOut, quote management, shared catalogues, company account hierarchy and purchase order workflows, this is the most credentialled option on this list
- Virbac (veterinary pharma B2B) and Rayware Group (houseware wholesale) as named clients indicate genuine B2B delivery experience in sectors where catalogue complexity, customer-specific pricing and ERP integration are standard requirements rather than edge cases
- 110+ staff with internationalisation specialism covers the scenario where a UK B2B manufacturer wants to expand digital trade internationally – the same team that builds the UK B2B portal can extend it across European markets
Evidence sources: williamscommerce.com (EMEA Specialization confirmed, B2B capability confirmed, Rayware Group and Virbac case studies), Adobe Commerce partner directory (Gold Partner + EMEA Specialization)
Ideal for
Enterprise UK B2B manufacturers and distributors who need the full Adobe Commerce B2B feature set – company account hierarchies, PunchOut, shared catalogues, approval workflows – and who are also expanding digitally into European markets.
Think twice if
Your B2B project is mid-market and Shopify B2B on Plus or WooCommerce B2B would cover the requirements. Williams Commerce’s pricing and model is calibrated for enterprise Adobe Commerce – using them for a standard B2B portal means paying for capability you will not use.
8. Kanuka Digital
The only agency on this list with both Platinum Certified WooExpert status and ISO27001 information security accreditation – which matters for B2B clients in regulated sectors where data security standards are a procurement requirement
- Specialisms
- WooCommerce B2B development, WordPress, B2B catalogue management, ERP and API integration, SEO, paid media, LearnDash LMS, security-compliant development
- Office Locations
- Stafford, UK
- Team Size
- 11-50 (part of The Cargo Project group)
- Notable Clients
- Bacofoil, Tile Giant, Mountfield Mowers, Willows Veterinary Group, Buy4Pets Online
- Platform Focus
- WooCommerce / WordPress
- Pricing
- £££ (mid-market to established)
Why choose Kanuka Digital
- Platinum Certified WooExpert is the highest WooCommerce certification and covers the B2B WooCommerce build scenarios where plugins like B2BWoo, WholesaleX or custom WooCommerce B2B functionality need to be implemented correctly – the certification signals platform depth that non-certified agencies claiming WooCommerce B2B capability do not have to demonstrate
- ISO27001 information security accreditation is directly relevant for B2B clients in healthcare (Willows Veterinary Group is a confirmed client), food and pharma sectors where data security standards are a procurement requirement, not a preference
- Tile Giant and Mountfield Mowers as named clients confirm B2B catalogue management at meaningful scale – these are B2B and B2C hybrid businesses with complex product catalogues, dealer pricing structures and ERP integration requirements
Evidence sources: kanukadigital.com (Platinum Certified WooExpert confirmed, ISO9001 and ISO27001 confirmed), Willows Veterinary Group and Tile Giant as named clients (B2B capability confirmed), WooCommerce partner directory
Ideal for
UK manufacturers and distributors who want WooCommerce B2B built to the highest certification standard with ISO27001 security compliance – particularly those in healthcare, food, veterinary or regulated sectors where data security is a procurement requirement.
Think twice if
Your B2B requirements point clearly toward Magento or Adobe Commerce – Kanuka Digital’s strongest certification and delivery evidence is WooCommerce-based. If the system requirements analysis points to Magento B2B, choose an agency whose certifications align with that platform.
9. Limely
The Chester agency whose B2B eCommerce service explicitly covers trade portals, customer-specific pricing, bulk ordering, gated content and multi-user account management – the system-level requirements that separate genuine B2B builds from trade tabs on DTC stores
- Specialisms
- B2B eCommerce development on Magento, Shopify Plus and WooCommerce, trade portal builds, customer-specific pricing, quote request systems, multi-user account management, UX-first design
- Office Locations
- Chester, UK
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Notable Clients
- UK B2B and trade eCommerce brands (portfolio on website)
- Platform Focus
- Magento, Shopify Plus, WooCommerce, Hyvae
- Pricing
- £££ (mid-market)
Why choose Limely
- Their B2B eCommerce service page names bulk ordering, gated content, customer-specific pricing, quote requests and multi-user account management explicitly – these five requirements are the ones that catch generic agencies off guard during a B2B build, and naming them signals awareness of the actual system complexity rather than generic B2B positioning
- Frontend-first mindset applied to B2B means the trade buyer experience is treated as a conversion driver rather than a functional afterthought – B2B UX has historically been poor because agencies optimise the system and leave the buying journey as whatever the platform default produces
- Multi-platform capability across Magento, Shopify Plus, WooCommerce and Hyvae means the platform recommendation is not constrained by agency specialism – they can build on whichever platform the B2B requirements point toward
Evidence sources: limely.co.uk/services/b2b-ecommerce (B2B service page confirmed, bulk ordering/gated content/customer pricing/quote requests/multi-user accounts all explicitly named), platform coverage confirmed (Magento/Shopify Plus/WooCommerce/Hyvae), Chester UK presence
Ideal for
Mid-market UK B2B merchants who want trade portal functionality built with a UX-first approach across Magento, Shopify Plus or WooCommerce – particularly those in the North West and Midlands who want in-person agency access without London agency pricing.
Think twice if
You need enterprise Adobe Commerce certification or a large team for parallel workstreams. Verify their active B2B portfolio complexity against your specific requirements in discovery – their B2B capability is confirmed at service level but client case studies should be matched to your catalogue and integration scope.
How to choose the right B2B eCommerce development agency
Map your requirements to platform first, agency second
| Your B2B situation | Platform that fits | Project budget range | Agencies that fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple wholesale portal, D2C brand adding trade channel, standard pricing tiers | Shopify B2B on Plus | £15,000-£30,000 | Webdigita, 9xb, Rixxo, Limely |
| WooCommerce B2B, UK manufacturer with WordPress familiarity, modest ERP integration | WooCommerce B2B | £15,000-£35,000 | Kanuka Digital, ChilliApple, Webdigita, Limely |
| Complex catalogue, customer group pricing, ERP real-time sync, trade account hierarchy | Magento Open Source B2B | £25,000-£80,000 | magic42, Fluid Commerce (Portal), Rixxo, Webdigita |
| Adobe Commerce B2B, PunchOut, quote management, multi-store, enterprise approval flows | Adobe Commerce B2B | £80,000-£250,000+ | Williams Commerce, magic42 |
| B2B-only agency needed, all projects are trade commerce | Shopify / BigCommerce / Magento | £25,000-£100,000 | 9xb, Rixxo |
Questions to ask a B2B eCommerce agency before signing
- How do you handle customer-specific pricing? The answer should describe a specific technical approach – Shopify B2B company catalogues, WooCommerce B2BWoo or WholesaleX configuration, Magento customer group pricing rules. “We configure pricing for each customer” is not an answer
- How does a trade account registration and approval process work on your chosen platform? New trade accounts should go through a gated registration flow with admin approval before gaining access to B2B pricing. Ask to see an example
- How do you integrate with our ERP? The answer should describe whether they use a middleware layer, a direct API connection, or a platform-native connector. Ask specifically about real-time stock and pricing sync
- Show me a B2B project with comparable catalogue size and ERP integration to ours. A case study with 500 products and no ERP is not comparable to a build with 50,000 products and SAP integration. The complexity difference affects timeline, architecture decisions and risk profile
- How do you handle minimum order quantities, order multiples and pack sizes? These are fundamental B2B requirements that are easy to underestimate in scope. An agency that handles them confidently in the discovery call has dealt with them before
Final recommendation
The B2B eCommerce development market in the UK has the same quality gap as every other specialist market: too many generic eCommerce agencies claim B2B capability because they once built a trade tab on a Shopify store. The difference between that and a system that replaces a phone-based ordering process – with customer-specific pricing, trade account approval, ERP integration, role-based access and credit terms – is significant in scope, timeline and budget.
For UK manufacturers and distributors at mid-market scale wanting a platform-agnostic agency that treats B2B as a system design problem, 9xb’s B2B-exclusive focus and Webdigita’s cross-platform governance approach are the two most relevant options on this list. For Magento B2B with a faster start, Fluid Commerce’s Portal platform and Rixxo’s Magento B2B package reduce build time and extension risk. For enterprise Adobe Commerce B2B with internationalisation and the full PunchOut and approval workflow feature set, Williams Commerce holds the strongest credentials in the UK market.
The single most useful thing you can do before contacting any agency: document the specific B2B system requirements your digital channel needs to replace – the pricing logic, the account types, the ERP feeds, the approval steps. That document will tell you which platform and which agency tier your project actually needs.
Frequently asked questions
1. What platform is best for B2B eCommerce development in the UK?
There is no single best platform. Shopify B2B on Plus is the right choice for simple wholesale portals where customer-specific pricing and trade account registration are the primary requirements and catalogue complexity is low. WooCommerce B2B works for small to mid-market manufacturers with WordPress familiarity and modest ERP integration needs. Magento Open Source B2B handles complex catalogue structures, tiered pricing by customer group, multi-store operations and ERP integration at a level the other platforms cannot match natively. Adobe Commerce B2B adds PunchOut, native quote management, approval workflows and purchase order processing for enterprise requirements. The platform decision should follow the system requirements analysis, not the agency's preferred stack.
2. How much does B2B eCommerce development cost in the UK?
UK B2B eCommerce development costs range from £15,000 for a simple Shopify B2B trade portal to £250,000 or more for an enterprise Adobe Commerce B2B build with company account hierarchies, PunchOut, ERP integration, custom approval workflows and multi-store architecture. The UK market average for a mid-complexity B2B build - a manufacturer with 5,000 to 50,000 SKUs, customer-specific pricing, trade account registration and ERP stock sync - is approximately £35,000. Webdigita's B2B eCommerce development projects start from £21,000, approximately 40% below this market average.
3. What is the difference between a B2B eCommerce build and a DTC store with a wholesale tab?
A genuine B2B eCommerce build is a system design project. It maps the existing trade ordering process - account creation and approval, customer-specific pricing, role-based access, minimum order quantities, credit terms, ERP stock and pricing feeds, approval workflows for junior buyers - into a digital system that replaces manual processes. A DTC store with a wholesale tab applies a blanket discount to a customer segment and calls it B2B. The operational difference becomes visible when trade customers try to place orders on account, request quotes, or place orders as a purchasing manager on behalf of their company. The technical difference shows up in the system integration scope and the data model required to support multiple pricing tiers, account types and approval levels simultaneously.
4. How long does a B2B eCommerce development project take?
A simple Shopify B2B trade portal takes 8 to 14 weeks. A mid-complexity WooCommerce or Shopify B2B build with customer pricing, trade account approval and an ERP integration takes 14 to 24 weeks. A Magento Open Source B2B build with complex catalogue structure, multiple customer groups, ERP sync and custom functionality takes 4 to 7 months. An enterprise Adobe Commerce B2B build with PunchOut, company account hierarchy, multi-store and approval workflows takes 6 to 12 months. The timeline driver is not catalogue size - it is the number and complexity of B2B-specific system requirements that need designing, configuring, integrating and testing before launch.
