Create a Wholesale Store on Shopify Without Using Apps
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is a Wholesale Store?
- Setting Up a Duplicate Store
- Visual Customizations
- Creating the Same Collections
- Exporting and Importing Navigation
- Hiding Prices and Add to Cart Buttons
- Creating Wholesale Account Tags
- Customizing the Login and Create Account Buttons
- Creating a Request Wholesale Account Form
- Promoting the Wholesale Site
- Finalizing the Wholesale Setup
Introduction
In this article, we will explore how to create a wholesale store using Shopify without the need for an app. We will guide you through the step-by-step process of setting up a duplicate store, customizing the visuals, hiding prices and add to cart buttons, and creating a request wholesale account form. Whether you are a store owner looking to implement wholesale functionality or a Shopify developer seeking insights, this article is packed with valuable information. Let's dive in!
What is a Wholesale Store?
A wholesale store allows businesses to hide prices and restrict access to certain products. This functionality is useful for businesses that want to offer special pricing to their approved wholesale customers. By creating a wholesale store, store owners can protect their wholesale prices and ensure that only authorized users can view and purchase wholesale products.
Setting Up a Duplicate Store
Before we start customizing the wholesale store, we need to create a duplicate of the main retail store. This duplicate store will serve as the wholesale store, featuring the same products and design. We will export the theme settings from the main store and import them into the wholesale store. This initial setup will provide us with a starting point for our wholesale customization.
Visual Customizations
To ensure the wholesale store appears identical to the main retail store, we need to make visual customizations. Using the theme editor, we will link all the necessary elements, such as logo, images, and colors. By exporting and bulk uploading the images, we can quickly transfer them from the main store to the wholesale store. This visual alignment is essential to create a seamless transition between the two stores.
Creating the Same Collections
To simplify the management of both the retail and wholesale stores, it is crucial to have the same collections and collection names. Consistency in collection titles and handles ensures that design changes made to the retail store can easily be applied to the wholesale store. By recreating the same collections in the wholesale store, we can streamline the synchronization process and minimize manual adjustments.
Exporting and Importing Navigation
The main retail store's navigation structure plays a vital role in the user experience. To avoid manually recreating the complex navigation, we will utilize a Shopify navigation tool. This tool allows us to export the main store's navigation and import it into the wholesale store. By duplicating the entire menu structure, including sub-collections and product lists, we can save time and effort while maintaining consistency.
Hiding Prices and Add to Cart Buttons
The primary goal of a wholesale store is to hide prices and prevent unauthorized purchases. We will achieve this by modifying the theme's liquid code. By wrapping the price display code with an if statement that checks the customer's tag, we ensure that only logged-in customers with the wholesale tag can see the prices. Similarly, we will hide the add to cart and buy now buttons to restrict purchasing options. This simple liquid code adjustment provides the basic wholesale functionality.
Creating Wholesale Account Tags
To properly manage wholesale customers, we need to tag approved wholesale buyers. By manually tagging customers with approved wholesale accounts, we can differentiate them from the general public. Shopify allows store owners to add tags to customer accounts, making it easier to identify and control wholesale access. We will guide you through the process of tagging customers and utilizing these tags within the liquid code to control access to prices and other wholesale features.
Customizing the Login and Create Account Buttons
To further enhance the wholesale store's user experience, we will tailor the login and create account buttons. Instead of the usual "create account" button, we will replace it with a "request wholesale account" button. Clicking this button will direct users to a contact form where they can provide their details to request a wholesale account. By removing the ability to create an account independently, we maintain control over the wholesale account creation process.
Creating a Request Wholesale Account Form
To streamline the wholesale account request process, we will customize the contact form template. This template will serve as the request wholesale account form, where potential wholesale customers can submit their company details for review. By duplicating the contact form template, we can add additional fields such as company name, location, and website. This form will gather the necessary information for the store owner to approve or reject wholesale account requests.
Promoting the Wholesale Site
To avoid confusion, it is important to clearly differentiate between the retail and wholesale stores. We will implement various strategies to ensure customers are aware when they are on the wholesale site. These strategies include using a different logo variation with the word "Wholesale," adding a promo banner indicating "wholesale site," and providing clear navigation options to return to the main retail store. These visual cues will help customers navigate between the two sites with ease.
Finalizing the Wholesale Setup
In the final stages of setting up the wholesale store, we will address any remaining adjustments and ensure all functionalities are working smoothly. We will test the entire wholesale setup, including checking for hidden prices, restricted purchasing options, and proper redirection to the main retail store. Additionally, we will optimize the user experience by refining the design and making any necessary tweaks. It is important to thoroughly test the wholesale store before launching it to ensure a seamless experience for both store owners and customers.
Highlights
- Learn how to create a wholesale store on Shopify without using an app.
- Customize the visuals to maintain consistency between the retail and wholesale stores.
- Hide prices and add to cart buttons to restrict access to wholesale products.
- Create wholesale account tags to manage and differentiate wholesale customers.
- Tailor the login and create account buttons to fit the wholesale account request process.
- Customize the request wholesale account form to gather essential company details.
- Promote the wholesale site through visual cues to prevent customer confusion.
- Finalize the wholesale setup by addressing any remaining adjustments and testing the functionalities.
FAQ
Q: Can I create a wholesale store on Shopify without using an app?
A: Yes, you can set up a wholesale store on Shopify by customizing your theme and utilizing liquid code to control access to prices and purchasing options.
Q: How do I hide prices and add to cart buttons?
A: You can wrap the price and add to cart button code with an if statement that checks the customer's tag. Only customers with the wholesale tag will be able to see prices and make purchases.
Q: What are wholesale account tags?
A: Wholesale account tags are labels applied to customer accounts to distinguish them as approved wholesale buyers. By using these tags, you can control access to wholesale features and ensure only authorized customers can view and purchase wholesale products.
Q: How can I differentiate between the retail and wholesale stores?
A: You can visually differentiate the retail and wholesale stores by using different logos or variations of the same logo. Additionally, you can add promotional banners and clear navigation options to guide customers between the two sites.
Q: How can I request a wholesale account on the wholesale store?
A: To request a wholesale account, customers can click on the "Request Wholesale Account" button, which will redirect them to a contact form. By filling out the form with their company details, they can submit a request for a wholesale account.
Q: Can I customize the fields in the request wholesale account form?
A: Yes, you can customize the fields in the request wholesale account form by duplicating the contact form template and adding additional fields such as company name, location, and website. This way, you can gather the necessary information for approving or rejecting wholesale account requests.
