How to develop an e-commerce platform with 1C integration for B2B for the Moldovan or European market?

The B2B e-commerce market is growing rapidly. If in 2015 the market volume in the USA was €700 billion, by 2020 it reached €1 trillion. China and the USA account for 85.3% of the turnover among the 10 largest global B2B e-commerce markets. In Europe, B2B platforms are becoming increasingly important for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to enter the international market.

But behind these figures lie many pitfalls. Companies entering B2B e-commerce face challenges that do not exist in regular retail. Integration with accounting systems, complex logistics, personalized pricing, multi-level approvals — all of this requires a competent technical solution.

Main pain points of companies when developing B2B e-commerce with 1C

"Integration with 1C turned into an endless project"

The most common problem is technical integration between the e-commerce platform and the 1C accounting system. For B2B, what the standard Bitrix module for 1C offers is very limited. In 90% of cases, companies are disappointed with the capabilities of standard integration.

Problems arise at different levels:

• Incorrect data structure in 1C. In many cases, the data structure is organized without considering characteristics on the 1C side, which means that each product variant is a separate item in the nomenclature. A product in different packages is displayed as three separate products instead of one with variants.
• Non-standard 1C configuration. If your 1C system is heavily customized for the business specifics, standard exchange modules do not work. Custom development is required both on the 1C side and the website side.
• Slow data exchange. Importing data from 1C is very slow. Each catalog export turns into a multi-hour process, the site lags, and users see outdated stock levels.
• Lack of agreement at the specification stage. Usually, no one wants to participate in writing the technical specification, and the approval of the specification is delegated to some manager who utters the magical phrase: "Our 1C specialists will export everything as you want without problems." When it comes to export, tears, pain, and major rework begin.

Solution: Always conduct a preliminary audit of the catalog structure in 1C and the website. Involve an experienced 1C specialist during the integration design stage. Determine whether integration will be standard or require custom development. Build the correct data exchange architecture from the start, not after launch.

"The catalog is not adapted for B2B specifics"

In B2B e-commerce, the catalog works completely differently than in a regular online store. Personalized prices for different clients, contract terms, individual discounts, credit limit management, the ability to work with multiple carts for creating several orders at once — all this is required.

B2B transactions usually involve multiple users with different access levels, so several buyers may work with one account. Prices are discussed individually, and payment often does not occur at the time of purchase.

If the platform does not support these functions out of the box, they have to be manually developed. This costs time, budget, and carries risk of errors.

Solution: Choose a platform that initially supports B2B functionality or can be easily adapted for these tasks. Provide for assigning individual prices, managing user roles within the client company, and handling deferred payments and credit limits.

"Clients complain about platform usability"

According to report data, 67% of B2B clients start searching for product information online, and 81% of buyers would like to immediately move from search to purchase without a long process. About 33% of all customers immediately seek to interact with the business only online.

But many B2B platforms are created as “internal systems” without considering user experience. Complex navigation, unclear filters, lack of fast SKU search, slow loading — all this deters clients accustomed to the convenience of B2C stores.

Solution: Design UX/UI based on real user scenarios. Fast search by SKUs and names, convenient filters by categories and characteristics, bulk order upload from Excel, purchase history, saved carts — all should be integrated into the platform.

"Impossible to control stock and price accuracy"

One of the key problems in B2B is synchronizing data between the warehouse system and the website. The client sees the product in stock, places an order, and then finds out the item is unavailable or the price has changed.

Solution: Set up automatic data exchange between 1C and the website on a schedule or in real-time. Integration functionality can operate invisibly to employees, without overloading them with routine tasks. You can set up automatic two-way data exchange on a schedule. Provide a notification system for changes in stock and prices.

"The platform requires constant updates after launch"

A B2B platform is not a static project. Business processes change, new suppliers are added, additional integrations with logistics systems, CRM, and warehouse systems are implemented. If the development team disappears after launch, even small updates become a problem.

Solution: Choose a team ready to support the project long-term. Technical support, updates, and scaling should all be included in the platform development plan.

"Entered the European market but did not account for local requirements"

An important aspect is compliance with data protection standards (e.g., GDPR), making the European market highly regulated. Beyond GDPR, there are requirements for currencies, interface languages, taxation, payment methods, and document formats.

Solution: Implement multilingual and multi-currency support at the design stage. Integrate payment systems popular in the region (Stripe, PayPal, European bank transfers). Ensure the platform complies with GDPR requirements for personal data protection.

Who needs a B2B e-commerce platform with 1C integration and why

B2B e-commerce is critically important for:

• Manufacturers and distributors working with a network of dealers — need to automate order acceptance, synchronize stock and prices
• Wholesale companies entering the Moldova or European market — require a scalable solution with multi-currency and multi-language support
• Distributors of imported goods — integration with accounting systems and document workflow automation is important
• Companies serving large corporate clients — need personalized terms, individual pricing, and multi-level approvals

Step-by-step plan for developing a B2B e-commerce platform

Step 1. Business process analysis and 1C audit

Before starting development, it is necessary to clearly understand:

• How do order acceptance, processing, and shipping processes work currently?
• What is the data structure in 1C? How is the product catalog organized?
• What are the pricing specifics? Are there personalized prices?
• What user roles exist? Who can order, approve, or pay?

The audit is the first stage of 1C integration with the website. During the audit, catalog organization problems, software version compatibility issues, and steps for achieving a stable data exchange process are identified.

Step 2. Platform architecture design

Based on the audit, the technical architecture is designed:

• Platform choice (ready-made solution with modifications or development from scratch)
• Catalog structure design
• Determination of integration methods with 1C (standard exchange or custom API)
• Planning integrations with other systems (CRM, logistics, payments)

It is important to find the right balance between ready-made solutions and custom development. Simple projects may use CMS like WordPress with B2B modules and 1C integration. Complex projects with unique logic require development in programming languages.

Step 3. Developing B2B functionality

Key B2B platform functionality:

• Personalized pricing and conditions — each client sees their own prices, discounts, payment terms
• Multi-level user system — different roles within the client company (buyer, approver, finance)
• Order management — order history, reorders, order templates, bulk upload from Excel
• 1C integration — synchronization of catalog, stock, prices, order statuses, document workflow
• Personal account — purchase history, debt, credit limit, documents, statistics

Step 4. 1C integration

Integration of the online store with the “1C:Enterprise” system uses an open data exchange protocol based on the XML standard for commercial information exchange, CommerceML.

Integration options:

• Standard integration — using standard exchange modules (suitable for simple catalogs and standard 1C configurations)
• Custom integration — developing custom APIs for data exchange (required for non-standard configurations or complex logic)

Data to be exchanged between systems:

• From 1C to the website: product catalog, prices, stock, personalized conditions for clients
• From the website to 1C: orders, client data, payment statuses

Step 5. Adaptation for Moldova and European markets

To enter the European market, it is necessary:

• Multilingual interface — interface in several languages (Romanian for Moldova, English, other EU languages)
• Multi-currency support — support for EUR, MDL, other currencies
• GDPR compliance — personal data protection, privacy policy, consent for data processing
• Local payment systems — integration of payment methods popular in the region
• Tax reporting — correct document generation according to tax legislation

Step 6. Testing and launch

Before launch, it is essential to test:

• Correctness of 1C integration (catalog export, order transfer, stock updates)
• Functionality of all B2B features (personal prices, user roles, multi-level approvals)
• Platform performance (system behavior with a large number of products and users)
• Security (data protection, GDPR compliance)

It is better to launch in stages: first a pilot group of clients, then gradually expand the audience. This allows identifying problems early and fixing them promptly.

Step 7. Technical support and development

After launch, the most important stage begins — continuous platform development:

• Monitoring 1C integration
• Bug fixing
• Adding new functionality based on client feedback
• Performance optimization
• Scaling with increased load

How to choose a team for B2B e-commerce development

1. Experience with 1C integration

This is critically important. The team must understand not only web development but also the specifics of working with 1C. Experience integrating different 1C configurations (UT, UPP, KA, ERP) is a big plus.

2. Understanding B2B specifics

B2B e-commerce is not just an online store with different prices. It is a complex system with personalization, multi-level approvals, integration with accounting systems. The team must understand these specifics and have experience in similar projects.

3. Market experience

A company with 15-20 years of operation has proven stability and reliability. It has gone through many projects, knows common mistakes, and can offer tested solutions.

4. Specialization in web development

Studios that do “everything” often lack deep technical expertise. Look for a team specializing in website and web platform development.

5. Readiness for long-term partnership

B2B e-commerce is not a one-time project. The platform requires ongoing support: updates, optimization, scaling. Ensure the team is ready to work with you long-term.

6. Flexibility in technology choice

It should not be: “We only do WordPress” or “Only custom development.” A good team chooses technology based on the task. Sometimes CMS with modifications is optimal; sometimes fully custom development is needed.

7. Process transparency

You must understand the project stage, what is done, what is next, and what risks exist. Transparent communication, regular reports, and interim demonstrations are signs of professional work.

8. Portfolio with relevant projects

Check case studies. Does the team have experience creating B2B platforms with 1C integration? Have they worked on projects for Moldova or Europe? Working projects in the portfolio are the best proof of competence.

Our approach: 18 years of web development experience

We have been working in website creation for 18 years. Our specialization is web development. During this time, we have implemented many projects, including for the B2B segment, and know all the pitfalls of 1C integration.

Updates and support are our main focus, in addition to creating projects from scratch. We understand that a B2B platform is a living system requiring constant attention. Therefore, we do not disappear after launch but continue to work with clients: adding functionality, optimizing integrations, fixing issues, scaling solutions.

We work with both WordPress (with custom B2B modules and 1C integration) and development in programming languages. The technology choice always depends on the specific task, budget, business process complexity, and scaling prospects.

Our approach is not just executing a technical specification. We immerse ourselves in business specifics, help build proper 1C integration architecture, and offer optimal automation solutions. If we see that a proposed solution is not optimal, we honestly inform the client and suggest alternatives.

Key principles of a successful B2B e-commerce platform

Start with an audit. Do not try to launch everything at once. Audit 1C data structure, business processes, and client requirements. This helps avoid costly rework.

Design 1C integration from the start. Do not leave integration “for later.” Data exchange architecture must be planned during platform design.

Consider B2B specifics. Personalized prices, multi-level approvals, credit limit management — all must be built into the platform, not added later.

Do not skimp on the team. 1C integration and B2B functionality are complex tasks requiring experience. Cheap development almost always leads to rework.

Plan for growth. The platform requires continuous support. Allocate budget for technical support and updates.

Adapt to the market. If entering the Moldova or European market, consider local requirements: languages, currencies, GDPR, payment systems.

Work with reliable partners. B2B e-commerce is a long-term project. You need a team that stays with you throughout the platform’s development journey.

Developing a B2B e-commerce platform with 1C integration is a complex process requiring deep expertise in both web development and working with accounting systems. But if approached correctly — with a competent audit, a professional team, well-thought-out architecture, and readiness for long-term growth — the platform becomes a powerful tool for scaling business in Moldova and Europe.

Choose contractors not by the lowest price, but by experience, expertise in 1C integration, and readiness to support the project long-term.