How to Choose B2B Salesforce Commerce Cloud Implementation Services

Simon Wright
August 15, 2025
10 min
B2B e-commerce is experiencing unprecedented growth. Forrester projects that U.S. B2B e-commerce sales will surpass $3 trillion by 2027, representing nearly a quarter of all B2B transactions. B2B firms are under increasing pressure to deliver seamless, self-service digital buying experiences that match, or exceed, the expectations set by B2C retail.

Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud has emerged as a leading solution for enabling these experiences, but the value you get from the platform depends heavily on your choice of implementation partner. The right provider can ensure your commerce solution is deployed efficiently, integrated deeply into your business processes, and optimized for both current needs and future growth.

This guide will help you understand Salesforce Commerce Cloud for B2B, the types of implementation services available, and how to select the right partner for your business. We’ll also explore the role of offshore partners, the benefits of U.S.-based teams, and the importance of ongoing managed services, staff augmentation, and consultancy.

Understanding Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud

Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud is designed specifically for complex business buying scenarios. Unlike traditional e-commerce platforms, it goes beyond product catalogs and shopping carts, offering capabilities that support contract pricing, account hierarchies, bulk ordering, and ERP integration, all within a secure, scalable environment.

Key features for B2B enterprises include:

  • Account-Based Commerce: Customer-specific catalogs, pricing, and payment terms tied to contracts.
  • Bulk Ordering & Reordering: High-volume order tools to save time for repeat customers.
  • Integrated CRM and CPQ: Synchronize sales quotes, contracts, and order history in one platform.
  • Omnichannel Fulfillment: Connect field sales, inside sales, and digital channels for a unified buyer experience.
  • AI-Powered Recommendations: Leverage Agentforce to personalize cross-sells, upsells, and replenishment reminders.

These features collectively transform how B2B buyers interact with suppliers. Instead of relying solely on sales representatives for every transaction, customers gain the freedom to browse account-specific catalogs, place large orders, or reorder products instantly - while sales teams can focus on building strategic relationships. Integration with CRM and CPQ ensures that the customer experience is not just efficient but also deeply personalized and strategically aligned to each account.

Types of Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud Implementation Services

Not all implementation services are created equal. Depending on your goals, you may need one, or a combination, of the following:

  1. Full-Scale Implementation
    • End-to-end deployment: discovery, design, development, integrations, testing, and go-live.
    • Best for: Companies new to digital commerce or replacing outdated platforms.
  2. System Integration Services
    • Connects Commerce Cloud to ERP, PIM, OMS, and other critical systems.
    • Best for: Businesses that need accurate, real-time data flow between front-end and back-end operations.
  3. Enhancement & Optimization
    • Improves site speed, user experience, and personalization.
    • Best for: Firms already using Commerce Cloud but seeking higher adoption and conversion.
  4. Managed Services
    • Ongoing platform monitoring, feature updates, and issue resolution.
    • Best for: Businesses without a large internal Salesforce team.
  5. Training & Enablement
    • Educates internal teams on using, managing, and enhancing the platform.
    • Best for: Companies transitioning to a digital-first sales model.

Each of these service types addresses different stages of the B2B commerce journey. Full-scale implementations lay the foundation, while integration services ensure operational harmony across systems.

Enhancement and optimization keep the platform competitive over time, managed services maintain operational stability, and training enables your workforce to leverage the platform’s full potential.

Selecting the right mix ensures your investment in B2B Commerce Cloud evolves in lockstep with your business.

How B2B Firms Can Choose the Right Implementation Partner

Key criteria for selection:

  1. B2B Commerce Experience – Ensure they have case studies in your industry.
  2. ERP & CRM Integration Expertise – Experience with platforms like SAP, Oracle NetSuite, and Salesforce CPQ is critical.
  3. Industry Knowledge – Partners familiar with your sector will anticipate compliance, logistics, and pricing complexities.
  4. Scalability – Look for a partner who will help you grow into new markets, channels, or product lines.
  5. Innovation Mindset – They should proactively recommend new features, AI capabilities, and UX improvements.

The selection process should go beyond technical skills. A qualified partner should bring a consultative mindset; proactively identifying opportunities for business process improvements, anticipating future integration needs, and tailoring the platform to align with your growth trajectory. Their ability to think strategically, not just execute technically, will be a decisive factor in maximizing long-term ROI.

The Role of Offshore Salesforce Implementation Partners

Offshore partners can offer:

  • Cost Advantages: Lower hourly rates compared to U.S. firms.
  • Access to Specialized Skills: Exposure to global best practices.
  • Extended Work Hours: Development can continue around the clock.

These benefits can be compelling for cost-conscious B2B firms, but they require a mature project management structure to be realized effectively. Time zone differences can accelerate delivery cycles when well-managed, but without clear communication protocols and quality control, they can just as easily create delays. The decision to go offshore should factor in your internal team’s capacity to manage cross-border collaboration.

Benefits of Having a USA-Based Salesforce Implementation Partner

For U.S. B2B businesses, a domestic partner offers:

  • Local Market Understanding: Familiarity with U.S. buyer expectations and compliance requirements.
  • Same-Time-Zone Collaboration: Faster decision-making and reduced project delays.
  • Onsite Workshops & Training: Ability to conduct in-person strategy and enablement sessions.
  • Established Business Networks: Connections with local ERP vendors, logistics partners, and industry groups.

These advantages often translate to faster project alignment, fewer communication hurdles, and a deeper understanding of market nuances such as regional buying behavior, industry compliance standards, and the competitive landscape. For highly regulated or operationally complex industries, a U.S.-based partner can be an especially valuable ally.

FortéNext’s dual presence - combining a U.S.-based team with a global offshore delivery network, offers the best of both worlds for B2B companies. Clients benefit from local market expertise, same-time-zone collaboration, and face-to-face engagement with U.S. consultants, while also tapping into highly specialized offshore Salesforce talent.
This hybrid model means faster project timelines, continuous progress across time zones, and a blend of strategic insight with operational efficiency. For B2B companies, it’s a rare combination that balances deep industry understanding with the scalability and agility needed to compete, as B2B buyers increasingly demand D2C-like customer journeys.
How Managed Services Can Help After Implementation

Once your B2B Commerce Cloud platform is live, Managed Services can:

  • Keep the platform updated with the latest Salesforce releases.
  • Monitor performance and address issues proactively.
  • Implement new customer journey features based on buyer feedback.
  • Provide seasonal readiness (e.g., ensuring stability for peak ordering periods).
  • Reduce downtime risk and improve platform ROI.

Managed services act as your long-term insurance policy for platform performance and business continuity. Instead of scrambling to address issues reactively, you have a dedicated team ensuring your system is optimized, compliant, and aligned with your evolving business objectives. This proactive approach helps safeguard revenue and customer satisfaction.

Staff Augmentation vs. Managed Services

Staff Augmentation:

  • Adds skilled Salesforce resources directly to your team.
  • Best when you have active internal project management but need specific expertise.
  • Flexible scaling - add or remove roles as needed.

Managed Services:

  • Outsources responsibility for the platform’s ongoing success.
  • Ideal if you want strategic guidance and end-to-end operational support.
  • Often includes proactive optimization, not just reactive support.

The choice between staff augmentation and managed services hinges on your internal capabilities. If your in-house team is strong but temporarily understaffed, staff augmentation can fill critical gaps quickly. Managed services, on the other hand, suit organizations seeking a hands-off approach where a partner continuously manages, optimizes, and evolves the platform for you.

How Consultancy Helps Firms with an In-House Salesforce Team

If your company already has a complete Salesforce expert workforce, a Commerce Cloud consultancy can still add value:

  • Conducting platform audits to identify optimization opportunities.
  • Advising on new features and market trends.
  • Supporting strategic initiatives like headless commerce or marketplace expansion.
  • Providing change management and adoption strategies for new business processes.

Consultancy engagements bring a fresh perspective - offering benchmarking insights, exposing your team to innovations from other industries, and helping you validate internal strategies. Even a well-equipped in-house team can benefit from outside expertise to ensure they are not just keeping pace with competitors but staying ahead.

USA vs off-shore

Choosing the right Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud implementation partner is a strategic business decision, not just a technical one. The right partner will understand your industry, integrate your systems seamlessly, and help you adapt to changing buyer expectations.

Whether you select a U.S.-based partner, an offshore provider, or a hybrid model, ensure they have the B2B credentials, integration expertise, and strategic mindset to support your growth. And remember - implementation is just the beginning. Managed services, staff augmentation, and ongoing consultancy can ensure your investment continues to deliver measurable value for years to come.

As a final point, here is an evaluation matrix to help make that decision on which provider to work with:

Source: CodeNewbie