Creating and managing B2B customers using companies

Plan requirement

Shopify B2B is available only to stores on the Shopify Plus plan. For information about Shopify Plus plan pricing, contact us.

You must set up your B2B customers as companies to use B2B on Shopify. Companies control all of the customizations that apply to your customer experience, such as pricing, products, store content, payments, and delivery options:

• A company is the parent organization for one or more company locations. For businesses with multiple locations, you can keep all of their information in one company profile and customize all settings and details for each company location.
• A company location is the business that you're selling to in a B2B transaction. Each location can have its own tax ID, tax exemptions, shipping address, billing address, pricing, payment terms, and contacts. When you create a company, one company location is automatically created for that company.

If a B2B customer has access to more than one company location, then they’re prompted to choose which company location they want to purchase for when logging in to your online store. Your customers are displayed with the prices, payment terms, and checkout that you assigned to that company location.

Considerations for creating companies and company locations

Before you create a company or a company location, review the following considerations:

• You can have an unlimited number of companies.
• A company can have a maximum of 10,000 company locations.
• A company can have a maximum of 10,000 customers.
• A company location can have a maximum of 25 catalogs.
• A company location can have a maximum of 50 customers.
• To import companies and company locations in bulk, you can use Matrixify, a third-party app. Learn more about importing companies in bulk using Matrixify.

Create a company

You can create a company from your Shopify admin. When you create a company, you must enter a company name. Additional company information is optional and you can add it later.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Click Add company.

3. Enter a company name. This name is displayed to customers when they log in.

4. Enter a company ID. You can add an existing external ID if you’re syncing B2B data in Shopify to other systems, such as ERP, or create your own unique ID.

5. Select a main contact. You can select an existing customer profile, or create a new customer profile. Customer profiles must have an email address to be added as a main contact. The main contact is assigned ordering only permission by default.

6. Enter a shipping address and a billing address.

7. Add a location ID. You can add an existing external ID if you’re syncing B2B data in Shopify to other systems, or create your own unique ID.

8. In the Catalogs section, select the catalogs to apply to the company. This catalog is automatically applied to the first company location that you create.

9. In the Payment terms section, select the payment terms for the company.

10. In the Checkout section, configure your checkout settings:

    • Optional: To allow your B2B customers to ship to a new one-time address at checkout, outside their shipping address on file, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
    • To review orders placed by B2B customers before they’re approved, in the Orders submission section, select Submit all orders as drafts for review. To automatically approve orders placed by B2B customers, select Automatically submit orders.

11. Optional: In the Taxes section, add tax information:

    1. In the Tax ID field, enter the company's tax ID.
    2. Optional: For businesses using Shopify Tax, who have companies and locations with shipping address in the United Kingdom or the European Union, the Tax ID field changes to VAT number for these companies and locations. After you enter the VAT number, Shopify Tax validates it.
    3. In the Tax settings drop-down menu, select whether to collect tax:
       • To collect tax, select Collect tax.
       • To not collect tax, select Don't collect tax.
       • To collect tax except for applicable exemptions, select Collect tax unless exemptions apply, and then in the Select exemptions drop-down menu select the tax exemptions.
    4. Click Save.

12. Optional: In the Metafields section, add information for any metafields that you've added.

13. Click Save.

Add a location to an existing company

You can add a location to an existing company. When you create a company location you must enter a company location name. Additional company location information is optional and you can add it later.

Steps:

Desktop

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Select the company to add a new location to.

3. In the Locations section, click Create new location.

4. Select one of the following:

• To copy the billing address, location contacts, catalogs, and payment terms from an existing location, select Copy an existing location.
• To enter location information manually, select New company location.

5. Enter a shipping address and a billing address.
6. Add a location name and a location ID.
7. Select a main contact. You can select an existing customer profile or create a new customer profile. Customer profiles must have an email address to be used as a main contact.
8. Select permissions for the main contact from the following:
   • Ordering only: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that they have placed.
   • Location admin: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that all customers have placed for that location. The customer can update shipping and billing addresses for the location.
9. In the Catalogs section, select the catalogs to apply to the company location.
10. In the Payment terms section, select the payment terms for the company location.
11. In the Checkout section, configure your checkout settings:
    • Optional: To allow your B2B customers to ship to a new one-time address at checkout, outside their shipping address on file, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
    • To review orders placed by B2B customers before they’re approved, in the Orders submission section, select Submit all orders as drafts for review. To automatically approve orders placed by B2B customers, select Automatically submit orders.
12. Optional: In the Taxes section, add tax information:
    1. In the Tax ID field, enter the company's tax ID.
    2. Optional: For businesses using Shopify Tax, who have companies and locations with shipping address in the United Kingdom or the European Union, the Tax ID field changes to VAT number for these companies and locations. After you enter the VAT number, Shopify Tax validates it.
    3. In the Tax settings drop-down menu, select whether to collect tax:
       • To collect tax, select Collect tax.
       • To not collect tax, select Don't collect tax.
       • To collect tax except for applicable exemptions, select Collect tax unless exemptions apply, and then in the Select exemptions drop-down menu select the tax exemptions.
    4. Click Save.
13. Optional: In the Metafields section, add information for any metafields that you've added.
14. Click Save.

iPhone

1. From the Shopify app, tap … > Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap a company.
4. In the Locations section, tap Add location.
5. Select one of the following:

• To copy the billing address, location contacts, catalogs, and payment terms from an existing location, select Copy an existing location.
• To enter location information manually, select New company location.

6. Enter a shipping address and a billing address.
7. Add a location name and a location ID.
8. Select a main contact. You can select an existing customer profile or create a new customer profile. Customer profiles must have an email address to be used as a main contact.
9. Select which permissions you want to assign the main contact:
   • Ordering only: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that they place.
   • Location admin: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that all customers place for that location.
10. In the Catalogs section, select the catalogs to apply to the company.
11. In the Payment terms section, select the payment terms for the company location.
12. In the Checkout section, configure your checkout settings:
    • Optional: To allow your B2B customers to enter a flexible shipping address at checkout, in the Ship to address section, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
    • To choose whether you want your customers to submit their orders as draft orders, in the Order submission section, select Automatically submit orders or Submit all orders as drafts for review.
13. Optional: In the Taxes section, add tax information:
    1. In the Tax ID field, enter the company's tax ID, and then tap Done.
    2. In the Tax settings drop-down menu, select whether to collect tax:
       • To collect tax, select Collect tax.
       • To not collect tax, select Don't collect tax.
       • To collect tax except for applicable exemptions, select Collect tax unless exemptions apply, and then in the Select exemptions drop-down menu select the tax exemptions.
    3. Tap Save.
14. Optional: In the Metafields section, add information for any metafields that you've added.
15. Tap Save.

Android

1. From the Shopify app, tap … > Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap a company.
4. In the Locations section, tap Add location.
5. Select one of the following:

• To copy the billing address, location contacts, catalogs, and payment terms from an existing location, select Copy an existing location.
• To enter location information manually, select New company location.

6. Enter a shipping address and a billing address.
7. Add a location name and a location ID.
8. Select a main contact. You can select an existing customer profile or create a new customer profile. Customer profiles must have an email address to be used as a main contact.
9. Select which permissions you want to assign the main contact:
   • Ordering only: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that they place.
   • Location admin: The customer can make purchases for the company location and review the list of orders that all customers place for that location.
10. In the Catalogs section, select the catalogs to apply to the company.
11. In the Payment terms section, select the payment terms for the company location.
12. In the Checkout section, configure your checkout settings:
    • Optional: To allow your B2B customers to enter a flexible shipping address at checkout, in the Ship to address section, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
    • To choose whether you want your customers to submit their orders as draft orders, in the Order submission section, select Automatically submit orders or Submit all orders as drafts for review.
13. Optional: In the Taxes section, add tax information:
    1. In the Tax ID field, enter the company's tax ID, and then tap Done.
    2. In the Tax settings drop-down menu, select whether to collect tax:
       • To collect tax, select Collect tax.
       • To not collect tax, select Don't collect tax.
       • To collect tax except for applicable exemptions, select Collect tax unless exemptions apply, and then in the Select exemptions drop-down menu select the tax exemptions.
    3. Tap ✓.
14. Optional: In the Metafields section, add information for any metafields that you've added.
15. Tap ✓.

Edit a company's details

You can add or update company information after a company is created. Changes made from the company page apply to all company locations in bulk, but some information, such as tax IDs and exemptions, is location-specific and must be updated from the location page.

If you need to update company information in bulk, such as the company name, then consider using Matrixify, a third-party app.

Steps:

Desktop

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Click the company that you want to update.

3. Make any of the following updates to a company:

   • Edit company name and company ID:
     1. In the company details section, click ⋮, and then click Edit company details.
     2. In the Company name and Company ID fields, update company details.
   • Add or remove catalogs from a company:
     1. In the Catalogs section, click ⋮.
     2. Click Add catalogs or Remove catalogs.
     3. Select or search for a catalog that you want to add or remove.
   • Edit payment terms for a company:
     1. In the Payment terms section, click the pencil icon.
     2. Select a payment term from the drop-down menu.
     3. Optional: To set up a deposit for your payment terms, select Require deposit on orders created at checkout, and then enter a percentage amount deposit requirement, such as 20%.
   • Edit checkout settings for a company:
     1. To allow B2B customers to ship to a new one-time address at checkout, outside of their shipping address on file, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
     2. To review orders placed by B2B customers before they’re approved, in the Orders submission section, select Submit all orders as drafts for review. To automatically approve orders placed by B2B customers, select Automatically submit orders.
   • Add or edit a note about a company:
     1. In the Notes section, click the pencil icon.
     2. Add or edit a note.

4. Click Save.

iPhone

1. From the Shopify app, tap … > Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap the company that you want to update.
4. Make any of the following updates to a company:
   • Edit company name and company ID:
     1. In the company details section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. In the Company name and Company ID fields, update company details.
   • Add or remove catalogs from a company:
     1. In the Catalogs section, tap ….
     2. Tap Add catalogs or Remove catalogs.
     3. Select or search for a catalog that you want to add or remove.
   • Edit payment terms for a company:
     1. In the Payment terms section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. Select a payment term from the drop-down menu.
     3. Optional: To set up a deposit for your payment terms, select Require deposit on orders created at checkout, and then enter a percentage amount deposit requirement, such as 20%.
   • Edit checkout settings for a company:
     1. Optional: In the Ship to address section, select or deselect Allow customers to ship to any one-time address to update flexible shipping addresses.
     2. In the Order submission section, select Automatically submit orders or Submit all orders as drafts for review to update order submission rules.
   • Add or edit a note about a company:
     1. In the Notes section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. Add or edit a note.
5. Tap Save.

Android

1. From the Shopify app, tap … > Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap the company that you want to update.
4. Make any of the following updates to a company:
   • Edit company name and company ID:
     1. In the company details section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. In the Company name and Company ID fields, update company details.
   • Add or remove catalogs from a company:
     1. In the Catalogs section, tap ….
     2. Tap Add catalogs or Remove catalogs.
     3. Select or search for a catalog that you want to add or remove.
   • Edit payment terms for a company:
     1. In the Payment terms section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. Select a payment term from the drop-down menu.
     3. Optional: To set up a deposit for your payment terms, select Require deposit on orders created at checkout, and then enter a percentage amount deposit requirement, such as 20%.
   • Edit checkout settings for a company:
     1. Optional: In the Ship to address section, select or deselect Allow customers to ship to any one-time address to update flexible shipping addresses.
     2. In the Order submission section, select Automatically submit orders or Submit all orders as drafts for review to update order submission rules.
   • Add or edit a note about a company:
     1. In the Notes section, tap the pencil icon.
     2. Add or edit a note.
5. Tap Save.

Edit a company location's details

After you create a company location, you can add or update company location information. Changes made from the company page apply to all company locations in bulk, but some information, such as tax IDs and exemptions, is location-specific and must be updated from the company location page.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Click the company with the location that you want to update.

3. In the Locations section, click the location that you want to update.

4. In the company location details section, click ⋮, and then make any of the following updates to a company location:

   • To edit the company location name and company ID, click Edit location details.
   • To edit the company location shipping address, click Edit shipping address.
   • To edit the company location billing address, click Edit billing address.
   • To edit the company location tax ID, click Edit tax ID. For businesses using Shopify Tax, who have companies and locations with shipping address in the United Kingdom or the European Union, the Tax ID field changes to VAT number for these companies and locations. After you enter the VAT number, Shopify Tax validates it.
   • To edit the company location tax collection settings and tax exemptions, click Manage tax settings.

5. Click Save.

6. In the Customizations section, make any of the following updates to a company location:

   • Add or remove catalogs from a company location:
     1. In the Catalogs section, click ⋮.
     2. Click Add catalogs or Remove catalogs.
     3. Select or search for a catalog that you want to add or remove.
   • Edit payment terms for a company location:
     1. In the Payment terms section, click the pencil icon.
     2. Select a payment term from the drop-down menu.
     3. Optional: To set up a deposit for your payment terms, select Require deposit on orders created at checkout, and then enter a percentage amount deposit requirement, such as 20%.
   • Edit checkout settings for a company:
     1. To allow B2B customers to ship to a new one-time address at checkout, outside of their shipping address on file, select Allow customers to ship to any one-time address.
     2. To review orders placed by B2B customers before they’re approved, in the Orders submission section, select Submit all orders as drafts for review. To automatically approve orders placed by B2B customers, select Automatically submit orders.
   • Add or edit a note about a company location:
     1. In the Notes section, click the pencil icon.
     2. Add or edit a note.

7. Click Save.

Delete a company

When you delete a company, all locations for that company are deleted. All customers are removed from the company, but remain in your customers list unless you delete them. Companies can’t be deleted if there are any orders for that company.

Steps:

Desktop

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Click the company that you want to delete.

3. Click Delete company.

4. Review the deletion information, and then click Delete company.

iPhone

1. From the Shopify app, tap the … button, and then tap Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap the company that you want to delete.
4. Tap Delete company.
5. Review the deletion information, and then tap Delete company.

Android

1. From the Shopify app, tap the ☰ button, and then tap Customers.
2. Tap Companies.
3. Tap the company that you want to delete.
4. Tap Delete company.
5. Review the deletion information, and then tap Delete company.

Delete a company location from a company

Company locations can’t be deleted when any draft orders or orders exist for that company.

Steps:

1. From your Shopify admin, go to Customers > Companies.

2. Click the company that you want to delete a company location from.

3. In the Locations section, click the company location that you want to delete.

4. Click Delete location, and then click Delete location.

Storing custom information in companies and company locations using metafields

To store custom information about your B2B customer, you can add metafields to a company or company location.

Metafields let you customize the functionality and appearance of your Shopify store by letting you save specific information that isn't usually captured in the Shopify admin. Learn more about metafields.