The Future of B2B Tools and Hardware Ecommerce: Driving Success with the Right Platform

There’s nothing simple about selling hardware and tools, especially in B2B ecommerce. Whether it’s a custom-built torque wrench or a pallet of MRO supplies, manufacturers and distributors in this space manage high-SKU catalogs, detailed product specs, complex shipping requirements, and strict industry compliance — all while serving business buyers who expect precision, speed, and post-sale support through a seamless digital experience.

Leading brands like TradeTools, Ballard Industrial, and Toolsaver are already investing in digital infrastructure to meet growing demand, and they're choosing BigCommerce to help power their growth. Since migrating platforms, TradeTools has seen a 31% increase in revenue, Ballard Industrial has experienced a 45% increase in page views, and Toolsaver has increased AOV by 3%.

With rising expectations for speed, accuracy, and self-service convenience, OEMs, industrial buyers, and construction professionals are demanding more from their suppliers. In response, more B2B sellers are embracing ecommerce to streamline operations, simplify bulk ordering, and modernize the buying experience. The global B2B ecommerce market for power tools and accessories alone hit $56.8 billion in 2024 and will grow at a CAGR of over 23% through 2030, reflecting a fundamental shift in how business buyers want to research, source, and reorder products.

To stay competitive, hardware and tools businesses need more than just an online catalog. They need ecommerce infrastructure that can manage complex products, support high-volume ordering and reordering, and integrate seamlessly with the tools that keep operations running — from ERPs and CRMs to job-site delivery apps and calibration services.

BigCommerce delivers the flexibility, power, and openness that hardware and tools businesses need to grow, adapt, and compete in a digital-first B2B world. From buyer-specific pricing and quick reorders to ERP and shipping integrations, BigCommerce helps manufacturers and distributors scale, no matter how complex the product or how specific the buyer’s needs are.

Understanding the hardware and tools B2B buyer

The B2B hardware and tools market serves a wide range of professional buyers. As digital expectations rise, these buyers turn to ecommerce for a faster, more accurate, and more convenient way to source the tools and components they need.

OEM and industrial manufacturers.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) often purchase in bulk and require products that meet precise tolerances and specifications. Their orders may involve custom tooling, coatings, or attachments that must be clearly presented and configurable online. These buyers depend on reliable inventory data, seamless reordering, and integrations with backend systems like ERPs to manage procurement efficiently.

Contractors and job site professionals.

Whether they’re building homes or outfitting commercial spaces, contractors rely on a steady flow of tools, equipment, and MRO products — often delivered directly to job sites. Speed and convenience are critical. These buyers value quick ordering tools, mobile-optimized catalogs, and real-time shipping updates. In addition to frequently reordering supplies, they may also need access to rental equipment for short-term projects. Bundled products like contractor kits and simplified reorder workflows help keep projects moving without delays.

Maintenance and repair teams.

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) buyers span industries like manufacturing, aviation, and facilities management. These teams often manage large inventories of consumables and replacement parts, making product shelf life, compatibility, and reorder efficiency key priorities. Access to technical documentation, spare part recommendations, and warranty services support their day-to-day operations.

Distributors and procurement teams.

These buyers require personalized catalogs, negotiated pricing, and tools to manage internal workflows, such as role-based permissions, purchase order approvals, and built-in quote management tools that simplify price negotiations and speed up purchasing decisions. Multi-location inventory visibility and shipping flexibility are also critical to keep their own customers supplied.

As buyer expectations evolve, one thing is clear: B2B hardware and tools brands must deliver a fast, accurate, and self-service ecommerce experience that supports the full complexity of their customers’ operations, from product discovery to post-purchase support.

Common challenges hardware and tools businesses face

As the B2B hardware and tools industry grows online, brands face a unique set of challenges across both product management and the sales process. High-SKU complexity, custom configurations, and ongoing support needs can create friction for buyers and internal teams alike, especially without the right ecommerce infrastructure in place.

Managing complex product data and logistics.

Managing hardware and tools catalogs is no small task. Buyers expect precise specs, from material and tolerances to voltage and weight, and even minor errors can lead to delays, returns, or job site disruptions. With thousands of SKUs and frequent updates, keeping product data consistent across systems is a constant challenge.

Many products also come with complex configurations, like custom coatings or attachments, making variant management difficult without strong ecommerce and PIM integrations. Shipping adds another layer of complexity, especially for heavy or fragile items that require real-time LTL freight calculations and job site delivery options.

Missed opportunities around replacement parts and consumables are common, too. Long product lifecycles mean customers often return for accessories or maintenance items, but without smart recommendations and easy reordering, that revenue can slip through the cracks.

For brands serving regulated industries, compliance standards like OSHA certifications must be clearly communicated and kept up-to-date. Accurate documentation isn’t optional, it’s essential to earning buyer trust and avoiding costly mistakes.

Friction throughout the B2B sales cycle.

In hardware and tools, repeat business is everything, but only if reordering is fast and intuitive. Many buyers rely on ongoing purchases of parts and tools, yet too many steps or a lack of personalized catalogs can slow them down. Sales teams need tools that simplify reordering with saved lists, quick order pads, and buyer-specific pricing.

Post-purchase support also adds pressure. Customers expect manuals, maintenance guides, and technical help long after the sale — especially for complex machinery. When that support isn’t easy to access online, sales teams absorb the burden.

Managing custom terms across accounts adds further complexity. From payment terms to service expectations, buyers want their experience tailored, and brands need ecommerce tools that automate those details at scale.

How BigCommerce tackles these obstacles

Solving the challenges of hardware and tools ecommerce takes more than a standard storefront. BigCommerce offers powerful, built-in B2B functionality designed to support the complexity of this industry — from custom catalogs and reordering tools to ERP integrations and post-purchase support. With a flexible, scalable platform, hardware and tools brands can simplify operations, meet buyer expectations, and drive sustained growth.

Built-in repurchase functionalities.

In the hardware and tools industry, repeat orders are the norm, and BigCommerce makes them seamless. With features like saved shopping lists, searchable order history, and buyer-specific catalogs, B2B customers can quickly find and reorder exactly what they need without starting from scratch.

Tools like the Quick Order Pad empower frequent buyers to enter SKUs in bulk or reorder past purchases in just a few clicks, eliminating friction and saving time for busy procurement teams. Whether restocking MRO supplies or reordering threaded products for a job site, BigCommerce gives buyers full control and convenience.

Product bundling support for B2B and DTC buyers.

Whether it's a contractor kit for job site deliveries or a curated set of threaded products for industrial buyers, bundling plays a critical role in the hardware and tools sales process. BigCommerce gives merchants the ability to create flexible product bundles and kits that meet the needs of both B2B and DTC customers, all from a single ecommerce platform.

For B2B buyers, bundling reduces friction and ensures they’re getting the right combination of tools, attachments, and accessories. For DTC shoppers, bundles help simplify decision-making and boost perceived value. And with built-in upsell and cross-sell functionality, brands can surface relevant consumables, spare parts, or accessories at the right time, increasing average order value without adding friction to the buying experience.

Brands can also use Multi-Storefront to serve different buyer segments with tailored bundles, pricing, and merchandising, ensuring each audience gets a shopping experience that reflects their specific needs.

Buyer-specific catalog, product, and pricing customization.

No two buyers are the same, and BigCommerce makes it easy to treat them that way. With built-in tools to create customer-specific catalogs, pricing, and promotions, sellers can tailor the buying experience to reflect unique business terms, contract agreements, and purchasing behaviors.

Need to offer custom attachments, added production steps, or product variations by buyer type? BigCommerce gives merchants the flexibility to update product options and configurations without developer support — including adding documentation like safety certifications or compliance details where needed. You can even display leasing options for qualifying equipment and tools right out of the box, whether you’re selling to a national manufacturer or a home DIYer.

This level of customization not only supports complex buyer relationships but also helps drive conversion and long-term loyalty.

Open-source architecture to connect existing post-purchase tools.

The hardware and tools industry doesn’t stop at checkout, and your ecommerce platform shouldn’t either. BigCommerce’s open architecture makes it easy to integrate the tools that power post-purchase success, whether you’re managing complex fulfillment workflows, scheduling on-site maintenance, or offering calibration services for high-value equipment.

From messaging apps that help sales reps coordinate service calls, to third-party shipping tools that enable LTL shipments and maximize cost savings, BigCommerce gives you the flexibility to plug in exactly what you need — without being boxed in by a rigid tech stack.

This openness ensures tools and hardware ecommerce brands can support every step of the customer lifecycle, from delivery to long-term service and support.

Tools and hardware ecommerce brands that have seen success with BigCommerce

Toolsaver.

Toolstop started as a small business selling B2C hardware out of the UK and quickly evolved into a global company, ultimately leading to the launch of their B2B brand, Toolsaver.

Through BigCommerce's open APIs, Toolsaver built SKUPAL, an in-house product that acts as a PIM but also manages deals and promotions. They also launched their own warehouse management system that integrates with BigCommerce and their ERP — improving team workflows. Since launching, Toolsaver has seen a 19.9% increase in orders, 23.5% increase in revenue, and 3% increase in AOV.

“One of the big factors was that BigCommerce had such an open API architecture. It allowed us to bring people in-house that would be able to develop systems that would integrate seamlessly with the BigCommerce platform,” explained Neil Bruce, Ecommerce Manager at Toolsaver.

Ballard Industrial.

Since launching in 1952, Ballard Industrial has evolved into a leader in the marine, manufacturing, and industrial supply chain.

Ballard Industrial takes advantage of BigCommerce’s B2B Edition tool to offer a seamless buying experience for shoppers. They even launched a real-time pricing automation feature that tracks and updates the price of raw materials on their site with the help of their agency partner, Groove Commerce. The launch of their ecommerce site resulted in an 83% increase in users, 79% increase in sessions, and 45% increase in pageviews.

“We get business from around the country that we normally wouldn’t have gotten. Plus, the site has proven to be a really solid source of product info for account customers and our sales team,” shared Chris Gubbels, Web Producer at Ballard Industrial.

The final word

For hardware and tools brands, the shift to digital isn’t just a trend — it’s a strategic advantage. But to succeed in B2B ecommerce, businesses need more than an online store. Managing complex product data, supporting repeat buyers, and delivering ongoing service all require a platform built for the realities of this industry.

BigCommerce gives tools and hardware ecommerce brands the foundation they need to compete and grow, whether they’re just starting out or scaling fast. From simplifying reorders and bundling products to supporting custom catalogs and post-sale services, the platform is built to handle the real-world demands of B2B commerce.

Ready to modernize your ecommerce experience? Explore BigCommerce B2B Edition and see what’s possible — book a demo today.