Managing a PrestaShop store that serves both B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) customers requires separate product access for different customer types. The best way to do this is by using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups functionality.
By controlling which products are visible to specific customer groups, you can create a personalized shopping experience while ensuring that wholesale buyers and regular customers see only the relevant products and prices.
In this blog, we will explore how to manage PrestaShop store access for B2B and B2C customers using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups and PrestaShop product visibility settings.
1. Why Should You Restrict Products by Customer Groups?
Using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups, you can:
Show exclusive products to wholesale buyers.
Offer different pricing for B2B and B2C customers.
Prevent regular customers from accessing wholesale-only deals.
Improve user experience by showing only relevant products.
Manage special promotions for specific groups.
By setting up PrestaShop product visibility settings, you can control access to specific products or categories based on customer type.
2. How to Set Up Customer Groups in PrestaShop
Before using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups, you need to create separate customer groups for B2B and B2C customers.
Step 1: Access Customer Groups Settings
Log in to your PrestaShop admin panel.
Go to Customers > Groups.
Click Add New Group.
Step 2: Create Separate Groups for B2B and B2C
B2B Customers: Name it Wholesale Buyers or B2B Customers.
B2C Customers: Name it Retail Buyers or Regular Customers.
Step 3: Set Discounts (Optional)
If you want to give discounts to B2B customers, set up a group discount in the settings.
B2B buyers often get lower prices, while B2C customers pay regular retail prices.
Now that you have separate groups, let’s restrict product access for them.
3. How to Restrict Products by Customer Groups in PrestaShop
Using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups, you can control who sees what products in your store.
Method 1: Restricting Products via Catalog Settings
Go to Catalog > Products in your PrestaShop admin panel.
Choose the product you want to restrict.
Click on the Prices tab.
Scroll down to Visibility & Access Settings.
Select Specific Customer Groups (e.g., B2B only).
Save the changes.
Method 2: Restricting Product Categories
Go to Catalog > Categories.
Select the category you want to restrict.
Click on the Group Access tab.
Check the groups that should have access (e.g., only B2B customers).
Save the changes.
Now, only selected customer groups will see specific products or categories.
4. How to Set Different Prices for B2B and B2C Customers
Sometimes, B2B customers get wholesale prices, while B2C customers see retail prices. You can manage this using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups.
Step 1: Edit the Product Pricing
Go to Catalog > Products.
Select the product you want to modify.
Click on the Prices tab.
Step 2: Set Custom Prices for Each Group
Click Add a New Price.
Choose a specific customer group (B2B or B2C).
Enter the special price for that group.
Save the changes.
Now, each customer group will see different prices for the same product.
5. How to Hide Taxes for B2B Customers
B2B customers often buy in bulk and may be exempt from taxes. You can hide taxes for them using PrestaShop product visibility settings.
Step 1: Configure Tax Rules
Go to International > Taxes.
Click on Tax Rules.
Create a new tax rule or edit an existing one.
Apply the tax rule only to B2C customers.
Step 2: Exclude B2B Customers from Tax Calculation
Go to Customers > Groups.
Select the B2B Customer Group.
Set the Tax Exemption option to “Yes.”
Save the settings.
Now, B2B customers will not see taxes, while B2C customers will see them as usual.
6. Testing Your Restrictions
Once you have applied PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups, test your settings:
Log in as a B2B customer and check if they see the correct products and prices.
Log in as a B2C customer and confirm they see only retail products.
Test with a guest account to ensure unregistered users see the correct items.
7. Best Practices for Managing B2B and B2C Access
Use clear categories: Keep B2B and B2C products in separate categories for better organization.
Enable customer registration approval: Verify B2B customers before giving them access.
Display different banners: Show different promotional banners for B2B and B2C customers.
Regularly update prices: Ensure that B2B pricing remains competitive.
By following these best practices, you can create a smooth shopping experience for both wholesale buyers and retail customers.
8. Conclusion
Using PrestaShop Restrict Products by Customer Groups, you can manage B2B and B2C customer access separately. This helps you:
Improve customer experience.
Increase sales by showing the right products to the right customers.
Ensure better pricing control for different groups.
By setting up PrestaShop product visibility settings, you can control who sees which products, offer custom pricing, and even hide taxes for B2B buyers.
Apply these settings today and make your PrestaShop store more efficient for both B2B and B2C customers!
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