eCommerce

The Best Wholesale eCommerce Platform: What You Need in 2024

Updated   |  8 min read
Key Takeaways
  • A wholesale eCommerce site should include bulk order management, price customization, automated payment processing, customer portals, shipping integration, and other capabilities vital to eCommerce wholesale.
  • Clarity's eCommerce platform provides the features that are fundamental to wholesale and can be customized to meet the needs of your particular wholesale business.
  • For best results, choose a wholesale platform that provides what you need and can adapt to your business as it grows.

Wholesale eCommerce has specific demands that an eCommerce platform needs to be able to perform to help the wholesale eCommerce business be successful. With a platform designed for your wholesale business and customized for your workflows, you can stay ahead of the competition and offer your staff and customers a better experience.

What Do Wholesalers Need in an eCommerce Platform?

The best wholesale eCommerce platforms, such as Clarity eCommerce, offer an extensive suite of features to meet all your needs in wholesale. Below are the key features and functions that any good platform for selling wholesale ought to provide.

Leading eCommerce platforms for a wholesale marketplace

Bulk Order Management

A good wholesale eCommerce platform allows you to easily manage large orders and keep track of customer requests. This will help streamline operations and ensure that you stay on top of customer requests.

Clarity's wholesale solution can also be customized to fit your workflows for bulk ordering processes, such as creating automated and/or manual workflows for quote requests and approvals.

Activate Bulk Price Discounts

Being able to activate bulk price discounts is a must for wholesale commerce. With Clarity's wholesale eCommerce platform, you can manage that from an easy-to-use administration interface. The wholesale eCommerce websites are set up with your default pricing standards, but the product management administration allows you to manage prices for changes and new products.

Automated Payment Processing

The ability to automatically process payments from customers cuts down on time spent dealing with manual transactions and reduces errors associated with manual data entry. It also makes it easier for customers to purchase goods from your online wholesale store quickly and conveniently.

Clarity eCommerce can integrate with a number of payment gateways for secure automated payment processing. We can also help you find the best payment hub providers.

payment gateways

Comprehensive Customer Accounts

Your wholesale eCommerce website should provide comprehensive customer accounts so that they can access their order histories, invoices, past payments, etc., all in one place. This can be particularly helpful if they need to make returns or check their account status before making a new purchase.

Clarity's wholesale platform has a customer portal and comprehensive dashboard that allows customers to easily access everything they need.

Shipping Integration

A good site for selling wholesale must integrate well with various shipping carriers and services so that products can quickly be shipped out without issue. Customers expect to be able to track shipments and receive updates in real time, which makes this functionality important to maintaining customer relationships.

Clarity's wholesale eCommerce platform allows seamless integration with multiple shipping providers. It also has tools for international shipping and calculating costs depending on location.

Bidirectional Integration

Clarity's wholesale eCommerce platform and extensive integration solution allow you to get eCommerce data to and from your legacy systems.

This functionality is one of the many reasons our clients come to us and not competitors because we're often the only ones who can integrate with their particular business systems when selling wholesale.

Search Engine Optimization

SEO is a key component of any eCommerce business, as it allows for maximum traffic generation. Clarity's eCommerce platform has SEO components built in, and our experts can help you build up that part of your online business.

search engine optimization

The Benefits of Wholesale eCommerce Platforms

B2B wholesale platforms offer an array of benefits, including:

Wholesale Automation

It plays a role in automating wholesale procedures. ECommerce automation stands as a significant advantage when engaging in wholesale transactions today. From initial registration to finalizing a purchase, the time dedicated to managing orders via phone or email diminishes, granting more focus on the strategic needs of the business.

Better Buyer Journey

Wholesale eCommerce businesses enhance the buyer's journey. B2B buyers now expect a level of service on par with their B2C counterparts. Informed and armed with information, buyers no longer require assistance from a representative before making a purchase. They prefer a streamlined onboarding and ordering experience.

New Markets

It aids in entering new markets. Venturing into a new country or territory entails facing a unique set of logistical challenges. Additionally, marketing efforts will target an audience unfamiliar with your brand.

Choose a Wholesale eCommerce Solution That's Customizable

Clarity's eCommerce platform is one of the leading platforms for online wholesale, and it's built on the flexible ASP.NET from Microsoft. Our wholesale solution is completely customizable for your wholesale business, meaning it can be tailored for your workflows and processes and be integrated with virtually any system, including web applications such as your POS or ERP system. A customizable platform will give you the best results as it can adapt to your business as it grows, making it the ultimate long-term solution.

Designed with Wholesalers in Mind

Clarity's wholesale distribution platform also provides you with powerful tools like analytics dashboard widgets, order management dashboards, inventory management tools, and shopping cart capabilities—all specifically designed with wholesalers in mind.

Overall, having a reliable eCommerce platform specifically designed for your wholesale business will help you stay competitive in the ever-evolving world of digital commerce.

Have more questions? See our Wholesale eCommerce FAQ below.

Platform design.

Clarity's Track Record

  • Working with Fortune 500s to startups since 2006
  • 1300+ clients and over $11B processed
  • Microsoft Partner
  • 16+ years developing eCommerce solutions

Discover Your Wholesale Solution

Wholesale eCommerce platforms can be an excellent way to start a business. It's also a great way to expand your existing business, integrating your existing ERP, CRM, and other software so that you don't have to start from scratch.

At Clarity, we want your wholesale eCommerce store to succeed, even if you don't work with us—that's why we offer a free, no-obligation discovery session with our experts to go over your business's needs and help you find the best solution. We're here to help and there's no risk, so why not try it out and see what you can gain?

FAQ

 

Wholesale eCommerce refers to the online buying and selling of goods in bulk to businesses or individuals for resale or internal use. It involves the electronic exchange of products and services between wholesalers, manufacturers, and retail eCommerce businesses through digital platforms. Wholesalers create online marketplaces or use specialized B2B platforms where buyers can browse catalogs, place bulk orders, and make payments electronically.

A wholesale commerce online store offers convenience, access to a wide range of products, cost savings, and faster order fulfillment. It has transformed the wholesale commerce industry by leveraging digital technologies to simplify and optimize the procurement process, expanding business opportunities for wholesalers and buyers alike.

Wholesale platforms should always focus on the customer experience. Some platforms cater to C2C or B2C, while other wholesale eCommerce platforms serve B2B eCommerce.

 

One example of wholesale eCommerce is Alibaba.com. It is a prominent B2B online platform that connects wholesalers, manufacturers, and suppliers from around the world. Alibaba provides a marketplace where businesses can showcase their products, connect with potential buyers, and facilitate wholesale purchases. The platform offers a wide range of product categories, from electronics to clothing, allowing businesses to source products in bulk. It offers features such as product search, negotiation tools, secure payment options, and logistics support.

Alibaba has become a leading destination for wholesale eCommerce, empowering businesses to expand their reach, connect with global suppliers, and engage in efficient wholesale trade on one of the most popular wholesale eCommerce platforms on the planet.

 

A B2B wholesale platform is an online marketplace or digital platform specifically designed for business-to-business (B2B) transactions in the wholesale industry. It serves as a central hub where wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers can connect, collaborate, and engage in buying and selling activities. B2B wholesale platforms provide a range of services and tools to facilitate efficient wholesale online sales, such as product catalogs, pricing management, order processing, and logistics support.

These platforms enable those in the wholesale eCommerce industry to streamline the procurement process, access a wide range of products, negotiate pricing, and expand their network of wholesale suppliers and wholesale customers. They play a crucial role in promoting transparency, convenience, and scalability in B2B wholesale operations.

 

ECommerce wholesalers make money through several revenue streams. Firstly, they earn profits by selling products to retailers or businesses at a higher price than the wholesale cost. This margin accounts for their operational expenses, including sourcing, storage, and shipping. Secondly, wholesalers may charge membership or subscription fees to access their platform or receive exclusive benefits. They may also earn revenue through advertising or sponsored listings on their eCommerce platform.

Some wholesalers offer value-added services such as drop shipping or customization, charging fees for these services. Finally, wholesalers can negotiate better pricing with manufacturers or suppliers, allowing them to benefit from bulk purchasing and secure lower costs, thereby increasing their profitability.

 

An wholesale eCommerce business obtains its inventory through various means. One common approach is establishing direct relationships with manufacturers or authorized distributors, allowing them to purchase products directly from the source. This enables wholesalers to access a wide range of goods at competitive prices. Another method involves partnering with wholesalers or liquidators who specialize in surplus, overstock, or clearance merchandise. This allows eCommerce wholesalers to acquire inventory at discounted rates.

Some wholesalers engage in product sourcing and procurement from multiple suppliers to diversify their inventory. They may also leverage drop shipping, where products are sourced and shipped directly from manufacturers or suppliers upon receiving customer orders, eliminating the need for maintaining physical inventory.

 

Wholesale eCommerce platforms are digital marketplaces or online platforms specifically designed to facilitate the buying and selling of goods in bulk. These platforms serve a wholesale commerce business as an intermediary, connecting wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers, enabling them to conduct business transactions efficiently.

Wholesale commerce platforms provide a centralized space where wholesalers can showcase their product catalogs, set pricing, manage inventory, and handle order processing. They offer features such as bulk ordering, custom pricing, integration with payment gateways, and logistics support.

The best eCommerce platforms aim to streamline the wholesale procurement process, enhance accessibility, and foster connections between buyers and sellers, creating a convenient and efficient environment for wholesale commerce transactions.

 

Drop shipping and wholesaling are two distinct business models in the realm of eCommerce. While they both involve the sale of products, there are significant differences between the two.

Wholesaling refers to the process of purchasing goods in bulk from manufacturers or distributors at a discounted price and then reselling them to retailers or businesses. Wholesalers typically hold and manage inventory, handle order fulfillment, and ship products to wholesale customers.

On the other hand, drop shipping involves selling products without stocking or physically handling inventory. In drop shipping, the retailer acts as a middleman between the customer and the supplier. When a customer places an order, the retailer forwards the order details to the supplier, who then directly ships the product to the customer.

In summary, wholesaling involves buying and selling goods in bulk with inventory management, while drop shipping focuses on selling products without inventory and relying on suppliers for order fulfillment.

 

The best eCommerce platform for wholesale businesses has tools for streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency in B2B transactions. The following are crucial features for those with a wholesale business:

  • Bulk Ordering Capability: The ability to place bulk orders and manage large quantities of products efficiently is essential for wholesale buyers.
  • Custom Pricing and Discounts: Wholesale buyers often require personalized pricing and volume-based discounts. A platform should support flexible pricing structures to accommodate different client needs.
  • Inventory Management: Real-time inventory tracking ensures accurate product availability information, preventing overselling and backorders.
  • Integration with ERP Systems: Seamless integration with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems facilitates smooth data flow, automates processes, and enhances overall business efficiency.
  • Multiple User Roles and Permissions: Wholesale platforms should support various user roles with specific permissions to control access and maintain security.
  • Responsive Design: A user-friendly, responsive interface ensures a consistent and efficient experience across various devices, supporting the needs of buyers who may use different devices.
  • Order History and Tracking: Wholesale buyers need easy access to order history and shipment tracking information to monitor transactions and streamline reordering processes.
  • Customer Segmentation: The ability to segment customers based on criteria such as location, order history, and preferences helps tailor marketing efforts and services.
  • API Support: Application Programming Interface (API) support facilitates integrations with third-party tools, enabling businesses to extend functionality and stay adaptable to evolving needs.
  • Payment and Invoicing Features: Secure payment gateways, along with invoicing capabilities, are essential for an eCommerce wholesale business.

An eCommerce store that incorporates these features can significantly enhance the efficiency, scalability, and overall success of B2B transactions when selling to other businesses.

 

While B2B (business to business) ecommerce refers to the buying and selling of goods between business entities, wholesale eCommerce is the buying and selling of goods in bulk from a wholesaler to a retailer or consumer. Wholesale electronic commerce offers advantages such as volume discounts, simplified fulfillment, improved customer service, and automated purchasing processes when compared to traditional business-to-business transactions. With wholesale eCommerce, retailers are able to purchase products in larger quantities but pay less than what they would if they were buying directly from individual manufacturers. This helps reduce overhead costs and makes it easier for them to provide competitive prices.

 

An eCommerce platform is a digital framework that enables businesses to conduct online transactions, selling goods and services over the internet. It serves as a virtual storefront, providing tools and features for creating, managing, and scaling an online store.

These platforms offer a range of functionalities, including product listings, shopping carts, payment processing, and order management. They also often incorporate features like inventory management, customer relationship management (CRM), and marketing tools to help businesses effectively run their online operations.

Key components of an eCommerce platform include:

  • Storefront: This is the user interface where customers browse products, view details, and make purchases. It includes elements like product images, descriptions, prices, and user reviews.
  • Shopping Cart: A virtual cart where customers can add and review their selected items before proceeding to checkout.
  • Payment Gateway: This facilitates secure online transactions, allowing customers to make payments using various methods such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, and other payment options.
  • Content Management System (CMS): Enables the creation, modification, and organization of product listings and other content on the website.
  • Order Management System (OMS): Tracks and manages customer orders, from confirmation to fulfillment and shipping.

Popular eCommerce platforms include Shopify, WooCommerce (built for WordPress), Magento, and Big Cartel, among others. Businesses choose these platforms based on factors like their specific needs, budget, scalability, and desired level of customization.

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Managing multiple stores with a multi-store eCommerce platform
 
Autumn Spriggle is a Content Writer at Clarity Ventures who stays up to date on the latest trends in eCommerce, software development, and related topics to provide readers with the latest and greatest. She strives to help people like you realize the full potential for their eCommerce business.