Are you exploring ways to incorporate wholesale operations into your existing Shopify store without upgrading to the costly Shopify Plus plan? If so, you're in the right place! At First Pier, we're dedicated to empowering businesses like yours to maximize the functionality of Shopify and achieve your goals.
Quick Snapshot:
- Shopify hosts over 1.75 million e-commerce shops, offering a robust platform for B2B trade.
- Shopify Wholesale is a powerful feature for managing high-volume transactions, but it is typically part of the pricier Shopify Plus package.
- Nevertheless, implementing a comprehensive Wholesale system without Shopify Plus is entirely feasible.
Becoming a master of Shopify Wholesale operations doesn't have to be a daunting journey. In the next 30 days, we'll guide you through implementing a robust wholesale system without committing to the Shopify Plus plan. From using third-party Shopify apps to creating a tailor-made B2B store, you'll soon navigate wholesale with confidence.
In the forthcoming sections, we'll delve deeper into understanding Shopify Wholesale, the perceived need for Shopify Plus to effectively manage wholesale operations, and demonstrate how it's entirely possible to establish a successful Shopify wholesale business without the Shopify Plus subscription. Let's take a leap into the empowering world of Shopify Wholesale with First Pier!
The Basics of Setting Up Shopify Wholesale Without Plus
Setting up Shopify wholesale without Plus is a straightforward process, and at First Pier, we're here to guide you every step of the way. Here are the basics to get you started.
Enabling Customer Accounts on Your Store
To start, you'll need to ensure potential wholesale customers can create accounts on your store. This allows you to manage your B2B customers separately from your retail customers. Enabling customer accounts is a simple process that can be completed through your Shopify Admin dashboard. If you're unsure how to do this, we have a handy tutorial to guide you.
Using SparkLayer for Wholesale Pricing and Product Management
Next, you'll need a tool to manage your wholesale pricing and product offerings without disturbing your retail operations. This is where SparkLayer comes in.
This app integrates seamlessly with your Shopify store, allowing you to set up wholesale pricing, minimum order quantities, and manage product visibility for your B2B customers. The SparkLayer app uses a "b2b" customer tag to assign your wholesale pricing, making it easy to manage your wholesale customer group.
Creating a Dedicated Wholesale Page
Your B2B customers will need a dedicated space to access their unique pricing and product offerings. This can be achieved by creating a separate page in your Shopify store dedicated to your wholesale business.
To do this, you'll create a new page within your Shopify admin and assign it a Wholesale template. Once saved, you can add this new page to your store's main navigation, making it easy for your wholesale customers to find what they need.
Integrating Wholesale Registration with Customer Fields
The final step in setting up your Shopify wholesale operation is to streamline the wholesale registration process. This is where the app, Customer Fields, comes in handy.
This app provides a predefined template for Wholesale registration, with fields for tax-exempt status proof and VAT or Tax ID number entries. When customers sign up, this data is visible in the app's directory and Shopify via Pinned Metafields. The app also automatically tags approved wholesale customers with "b2b", keeping your customer management clean and fuss-free.
By following these basic steps, you can have your Shopify wholesale operations up and running without the need for a Shopify Plus subscription. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the detailed steps in the following section. Here at First Pier, we're committed to helping you master Shopify Wholesale without Plus in 30 days!
Detailed Steps to Set Up Shopify Wholesale Without Plus
Setting up Shopify wholesale without the Plus plan may seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. With our expert, Steve Pogson, guiding you through the process, you'll have your wholesale operations up and running in no time. Let's get started!
Step 1: Edit Theme.liquid
Your first step is to edit your theme. On your Shopify admin dashboard, navigate to the 'Themes' section. Click on 'Actions', and then 'Edit code'. Find the file named 'theme.liquid', and open it. This file controls the overall layout of your store. Here you can make changes to enhance your customers' shopping experience. Customization should not just be about making your store visually appealing. The ultimate goal should be to create a seamless user experience that makes browsing and purchasing products from your store effortless and enjoyable.
Step 2: Add a Snippet Called "Wholesale-note"
Under the 'Snippets' folder, click 'Add a new snippet' and name it 'wholesale-note'. This will be a special note that's visible only to your wholesale customers. In this snippet, you can include important information about your wholesale policies, shipping details, or any other relevant information that your wholesale customers might need.
Step 3: Add Some Templates
Next, add some new templates to your store. These templates will be used to display your wholesale products. You can create a new product template, a new collection template, and a new cart template for your wholesale products. This will help to keep your retail and wholesale products separate, making it easier for your wholesale customers to browse and purchase your wholesale products.
Step 4: Create Some Wholesale Products
Now, you can start adding your wholesale products. When adding a new product, make sure to select the wholesale product template that you created earlier. This will ensure that your product is displayed correctly to your wholesale customers. Also, remember to set a wholesale price for your product, taking into account your cost, markup/margin, and target market. Your supplier will be able to help you determine a fair price.
Step 5: Add the "Wholesale" Tag to Your Wholesale Customers
Once you've added your wholesale products, you need to add the "wholesale" tag to your wholesale customers. This will allow them to see and purchase your wholesale products. You can add the "wholesale" tag to your customers in the 'Customers' section of your Shopify admin dashboard.
Step 6: Show a Different Navigation Menu to Wholesalers
Finally, create a different navigation menu for your wholesale customers. This can be done in the 'Navigation' section of your Shopify admin dashboard. This different navigation menu can include links to your wholesale products, a link to the wholesale order form, and any other links that might be relevant to your wholesale customers.
And that's it! With these simple steps, you've set up your Shopify wholesale without Plus. It's not about the complexity of the process, but the value you're providing to your customers. By focusing on creating a seamless, enjoyable shopping experience, you're setting your store up for success. Now, it's time to start selling wholesale!
Advantages and Disadvantages of Shopify Wholesale Without Plus
As you embark on your journey towards mastering Shopify wholesale without Plus, it's crucial to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages this setup presents. Understanding this will help you tailor the right strategy for your business.
Pros of Shopify Wholesale Without Plus
- Affordability: Perhaps the most significant advantage is the cost savings. The Shopify Plus plan starts from $2,000 per month, a substantial cost for small or startup businesses. Running a Shopify wholesale store without Plus generally costs less than $100 per month, making it a more affordable option for businesses with tighter budgets.
- Flexibility: Shopify wholesale without Plus offers a degree of flexibility that allows you to create a custom solution that suits your business needs. Whether you're using a third-party app or creating a custom-made store with a Shopify agency like us at First Pier, you can tailor your store to meet your specific requirements.
- Simplicity: The process of setting up a wholesale store without Shopify Plus is straightforward and does not require coding skills. This makes it an accessible option for businesses that may not have an in-house tech team.
Cons of Shopify Wholesale Without Plus
- Limited Features: While Shopify Plus offers a range of features designed specifically for wholesale businesses, such as dedicated customer profiles and quantity breaks, these may not be available or may be limited when running a Shopify wholesale store without Plus.
- Additional Management: Using third-party apps or creating a separate wholesale store could lead to additional management tasks. You may need to keep track of different systems and ensure they're all working seamlessly together.
- Less Customization: Shopify Plus provides advanced customization options, including checkout extensibility and unlimited staff accounts. Without Plus, these customization options may be limited, potentially impacting your ability to provide a personalized shopping experience for your customers.
In conclusion, Shopify wholesale without Plus offers a cost-effective, flexible, and simple solution for businesses looking to enter the wholesale market. However, consider the potential limitations and how these might impact your business. As the experts at First Pier, we're here to help you navigate these considerations and find the best solution for your business.
Alternatives to Shopify Plus for Wholesale
While Shopify Plus offers a robust platform for running a wholesale business, it comes with a hefty $2,000 per month price tag. At First Pier, we understand that not every business can afford such a substantial investment, especially smaller businesses or startups. But don't worry, there are alternatives to Shopify Plus for running a wholesale store that are affordable and still offer a high level of functionality.
Using Third-Party Shopify Wholesale Apps
One of the most cost-effective ways to run a shopify wholesale without plus store is by using third-party Shopify wholesale apps. These apps are specifically designed to create and manage wholesale stores, and they offer a plethora of useful features.
One such app is the Wholesale Pricing Discount, which allows you to offer custom pricing, set a flat price for products, and even offer a minimum quantity discount. This app is a complete B2B wholesale solution and only costs $19.99 per month for the basic plan.
Another highly rated app is the Wholesale Order Form which allows you to take custom orders from your wholesale customers and fully customize the order form to match your website for just $12.99 per month.
There are many other wholesale apps available on Shopify, such as Wholesale Lock Manager, Wholesale Club, and Wholesale Pricing Now. Each of these apps comes with its own unique set of features and pricing plans, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Creating a Custom-Made Shopify B2B Store with a Shopify Agency
Another alternative to Shopify Plus is creating a custom-made Shopify B2B store with the help of a Shopify agency like us at First Pier. We can help you create a store that fits your exact needs, without the need for an expensive subscription plan. This option gives you even more control and flexibility over your store's design and functionality.
When you partner with us, we'll work closely with you to understand your business needs and create a store that helps you achieve your wholesale goals. Whether you need unique features, a specific design, or advanced functionality, we can help you build a store that aligns with your brand and serves your customers well.
In conclusion, running a successful wholesale store without Shopify Plus is entirely possible. Whether you choose to use a third-party app or partner with a Shopify agency like First Pier, the key is to understand your customers' needs and provide them with easy access to the products they need in bulk. With the right strategy and tools, you can master Shopify wholesale without Plus in just 30 days.
Conclusion
Recap of How to Master Shopify Wholesale Without Plus in 30 Days
In the past sections, we've taken you on a detailed journey on how to set up a thriving Shopify wholesale store without the need for a Shopify Plus account. We've shown you that it's possible to achieve this in just 30 days by focusing on a few critical steps.
We began by enabling customer accounts on your store and implementing third-party apps like SparkLayer for effective wholesale pricing and product management. The creation of a dedicated wholesale page was our next step, followed by the integration of wholesale registration using the Customer Fields app.
We then delved deeper into the setup process, starting with editing your Theme.liquid and adding a “wholesale-note” snippet. The addition of templates and wholesale products, as well as tagging your wholesale customers, were the next steps. The final step was showing a different navigation menu to your wholesale customers to enhance their buying experience.
The Potential of Shopify Wholesale Without Plus for Your Business
The opportunity to run a successful wholesale business on Shopify without Plus is immense. This approach gives you the power to reach a larger audience, increase sales, offer volume discounts, and streamline the order process. It also allows for the creation of a customized shopping experience for your B2B customers, thus increasing customer loyalty.
At the same time, it's important to acknowledge the challenges that might come with it. However, the benefits certainly outweigh the cons, especially if you're a small or medium-sized business looking to break into the wholesale market without the added costs of Shopify Plus.
As experts at First Pier, we believe that the potential for your business to grow using Shopify wholesale without Plus is vast. The success of your wholesale operations will largely depend on the strategies employed, your understanding of the market, and the quality of the customer experience you deliver.
We hope this guide has been a valuable resource in helping you understand how to master Shopify wholesale without Plus. For further insights and assistance, explore the wealth of resources available on our website or reach out to us for personalized guidance.
