What is B2B Commerce?

Traditional B2B purchasing typically relies on emails, phone calls, spreadsheets, and manual order processing. As digital expectations have evolved, many businesses now want the same convenience they experience in consumer retail, but adapted for the complexity of B2B transactions.

Salesforce B2B Commerce was developed to bridge that gap. It enables suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers to offer online purchasing portals where their business customers can log in, view negotiated pricing, place orders, and track order history without relying on manual processes. 

Because it runs on the Salesforce platform, B2B Commerce also connects directly with CRM data. This means sales teams can see customer accounts, orders, and purchasing patterns in one place, helping them manage relationships while giving buyers more autonomy through self-service tools.

Salesforce B2B Commerce helps businesses modernise how they sell to other businesses. In practical terms, the software allows companies to:

• Offer online storefronts tailored to business buyers

• Provide customer-specific pricing and product catalogues

• Enable self-service ordering and account management

• Support large, complex orders with bulk purchasing tools

• Integrate commerce data with CRM, marketing, and service systems

• Improve operational efficiency by reducing manual order processing

For those with large distributor networks or repeat buyers, these capabilities can significantly streamline the purchasing experience while maintaining strong customer relationships.

Salesforce B2B Commerce brings together several functional components:

1. Digital storefronts – Online purchasing portals designed for business buyers

2. Account-based buying – Multiple buyers can purchase under the same company account

3. Product catalogue management – Organise products, pricing, and availability

4. Order management – Track orders, shipments, and purchase history

5. Self-service portals – Allow customers to manage orders and reorders independently

6. Integration with CRM – Connect commerce data with sales and service workflows

Because it’s built on Salesforce, customers can extend B2B Commerce with automation, integrations, and analytics to support more complex commerce processes.

B2B Commerce vs B2C Commerce

B2B Commerce is designed for business buyers, who often place large orders, negotiate pricing, and purchase through company accounts.
B2C Commerce is designed for consumer retail, where individuals purchase products directly from brands through standard online storefronts.

B2B Commerce vs traditional sales ordering

Traditional B2B purchasing often relies on manual processes such as email orders or sales rep interactions.

B2B Commerce provides a digital self-service environment where customers can manage purchases independently while sales teams retain visibility.

Who uses Salesforce B2B Commerce?

Manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers commonly use B2B Commerce to enable online purchasing for their business customers.

Can B2B Commerce handle complex pricing structures?

Yes. It supports contract pricing, tiered pricing, and negotiated agreements between businesses.

Is B2B Commerce part of Salesforce Commerce Cloud?

Yes. B2B Commerce is one of the commerce products within the Salesforce Commerce portfolio.

Can customers reorder previous purchases?

Yes. Buyers can view order history and quickly reorder products through their online accounts.

Does B2B Commerce integrate with Salesforce CRM?

Yes. Because it runs on the Salesforce platform, it connects commerce data with sales, service, and marketing systems.