B2B vs B2C: Fundamental Differences
B2B portals serve business buyers, not consumers. Key differences: negotiated pricing (each customer may have a different price list), credit terms (30/60/90 day credit instead of immediate payment), approval workflows (large orders may require manager approval before processing), bulk ordering (MOQs, pallet quantities, case breaks), and multi-user accounts (a distributor has multiple buyers placing orders on behalf of the company).
GST-Aware Ordering
Your B2B portal must display GST-inclusive and exclusive prices correctly based on the buyer’s state (for CGST+SGST vs IGST determination). Show HSN codes for each product (required for buyer’s GSTR-2B reconciliation). Generate proforma invoices with full GST breakdown before order confirmation. After shipment, generate and email e-invoices with valid IRN and QR codes.
Credit Management
Distributors in India operate on credit — typically 30–60 days. Your portal must show the customer’s available credit limit, outstanding dues with ageing, blocked orders when credit limit is exceeded, and automatic hold on new orders when invoices are overdue by more than N days. Integrate with your accounting system (Tally, SAP, or custom ERP) for real-time credit data.
Mobile-First for Field Sales Teams
Your field sales representatives use the B2B portal on phones while visiting distributors. Prioritise mobile performance: fast loading on 4G, offline order drafting (sync when connected), GPS-tagged order placement (compliance and fraud prevention), and one-tap reorder from previous order history.
Indian B2B portals succeed when they handle the complexity Indian businesses live with daily — GST, credit terms, and regional diversity. Generic international e-commerce platforms require too much customisation to handle these well.
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