Shopify Request a Quote (RFQ): The Ultimate Guide for B2B Stores

Summary

Most Shopify B2B buyers do not want to click Add to Cart. They want a price for their order — their quantity, their delivery date, their terms.

The rest of this guide is the long version. You will learn what a Request a quote (RFQ) is, how the process works on Shopify, the three ways to build it, which apps are worth paying for, and how to turn an accepted quote into a paid order.

What is request a quote (RFQ)?

A request for quotation, or request a quote, is commonly abbreviated as RFQ. It is a message that a buyer sends to sellers asking for a price on a specific list of goods or services.

The buyer says exactly what they need, how many units, what quality, when they need it. Each seller sends back a price. The buyer compares the offers and picks one or negotiate.

Shopify puts it like this:

A request for quotation (RFQ) is a document that solicits detailed pricing and terms for specific products and services from a selection of potential suppliers or service providers. An RFQ outlines a business’s needs and provides suppliers with clear instructions on how and when to respond, ensuring a standardized process for evaluating price quotes.

Amazon Business runs the same idea inside its store. A buyer submits their requirements once and gets competing bids back from many sellers, instead of emailing every vendor one at a time.

Use an RFQ when you already know what you need, and price is the main thing you are comparing. It works best when the quantity and the quality are fixed, and only the number is open.

How request a quote process works on Shopify

On a Shopify store, a quote takes four steps. Every one of them happens on a screen you already have.

• Step 1 The buyer asks On your product page the buyer sees a Request a Quote button instead of Add to Cart. You can hide the price too, so only the button shows.
• Step 2 The buyer fills the form A short form opens. The buyer picks a quantity and adds their company and email. They can add more products to the same quote before sending it.
• Step 3 You send a price The request lands in your Shopify admin. You set your price per line, add shipping and payment terms, and send the quote back.
• Step 4 The quote becomes an order The buyer accepts. The quote turns into a Shopify draft order with a checkout link. They pay, and it shows up in Orders like any other sale.

Step 4 matters most. If the quote does not become a Shopify draft order, somebody has to retype it. That person will get it wrong one day, and it will be on your biggest order.

When Shopify B2B stores should use request a quote feature

If you run a Shopify B2B, wholesale, or custom manufacturing store, pushing buyers through a normal retail checkout costs you sales. Big orders, heavy items, and made-to-order products all need a conversation first.

A quote flow fixes four common problems:

• Volume and tiered pricing: When wholesale orders require negotiated rates based on quantity, order history, or specific B2B contracts rather than flat pricing.
• Bulk shipping: The cost of shipping machinery, pallets or bulk material often cannot be worked out automatically at checkout.
• Custom made products: If items require bespoke work—such as custom manufacturing, branded merchandise, or tailored dimensions—merchants must evaluate the exact scope before assigning a precise price.
• High-ticket items: or expensive physical goods or complex service packages, corporate buyers typically require a direct conversation or formal proposal for procurement approval before committing funds.

Does Shopify have a native request a quote feature?

There is no Shopify Request a Quote button on the storefront. Customers cannot make their own quotes. Instead, store owners must create the quote for them in the admin dashboard using the Draft Order feature.

Here is the honest line-by-line.

Source: Shopify Help Center — Creating and managing draft orders

Here is the problem: Shopify gives tools for store owners to make quotes, but nothing for customers to ask for quotes on the website. Shopify thinks you already know the customer and what price to charge them. This is true for old customers, but it does not work for new ones.

Three ways to build request a quote system on Shopify

There are three ways to put quote functionality on your storefront. Here is what each one gives you, and what it costs you.

The native route: Shopify B2B

On a Shopify Plus plan ($2,500+/month) you get native B2B. That means company profiles, per-company price lists, and payment terms. You can also set a company so its buyers submit a cart for approval instead of checking out.

The catch: it handles wholesale pricing well, but its quote negotiation is rigid next to a dedicated app. It suits established clients who already know your prices, not new leads asking for a custom number.

The developer route: custom Liquid and a contact form

If you want something free and light, edit your theme. Make an alternate product template. Comment out the {% form 'product' %} tag and put an HTML contact form in its place, with {{ product.title }} in a hidden field.

The catch: you get an email. Nothing more. It does not create a draft order. The buyer cannot build one quote from several products. And you retype everything by hand to invoice them later.

The app route: a dedicated quote app

A dedicated Shopify Request a Quote app is what most merchants use. These apps drop into your existing theme as blocks. They handle the boring parts: routing requests, building PDFs, and talking to Shopify’s Draft Orders API.

The catch: a monthly bill, and one more app running inside your product page. Both are small next to the alternative.

Custom code vs. native vs. quote app

Side by side, the three routes look like this.

How to choose the right Shopify request a quote app

If you sell B2B or wholesale products on Shopify, fixed prices do not always work. You often need a "Request a Quote" app so buyers can ask for custom pricing.

However, picking the wrong app can break your store design or slow down your website. Here are the four key areas to check before choosing a quote app for your store.

How well it fits with your Shopify store

A good app should fit smoothly into your Shopify store without causing technical problems.

• No code setup: The app should use Theme App Blocks. This means you can add or remove the quote button easily inside your Shopify Theme Editor without editing liquid code.
• Creates draft orders: When you accept a quote, the app should automatically turn it into a Shopify Draft Order. This keeps your taxes, shipping, inventory, and invoices inside Shopify.
• Shopify B2B Compatible: If you use Shopify B2B features, the app must respect your B2B company accounts and special price lists.

Website Speed

A slow website costs you sales. Some apps add heavy code that makes product pages load slowly.

• Speed Testing: Before installing an app permanently, run a speed test on your product page (using tools like Google Lighthouse).
• Lightweight Code: Check your speed again after installing the app. If the quote button makes your page significantly slower, look for a lighter app.

Buyer experience and customization

Your request a quote form should be easy for buyers to fill out and flexible for your business needs.

• Smart price-hiding rules: You should be able to hide prices for guests while keeping them visible for logged-in wholesale buyers.
• Price negotiation: Smart B2B customers don't like negotiate via chat or meeting. They like to negotiate via website.
• Custom form fields: Look for a drag-and-drop form builder so you can ask for details like company name, tax ID, or preferred delivery dates.
• File uploads: Shopify B2B buyers often need to send purchase orders, product drawings, or design files. Ensure the form allows PDF and image uploads.
• Multi-currency: If you sell internationally, the quote form must work with Shopify Markets and support local currencies.

Final tip before you buy: Always use the app's free trial on your real theme. Send a test quote to yourself and open the email on your mobile phone. Your buyers will judge your business by how that quote email looks!

5 must-have features in a Shopify request a quote app

If you go the app route, do not settle for a fancy contact form. A good quote app works like a small sales CRM. Look for these five things.

• Targeted request a quote widget:
  • Show on all products
  • Show on specific products
  • Exclude specific products
  • Show only to specific customers (like B2B or wholesale buyers)
• Dynamic price hiding & custom forms:
  • Hide prices on all products, specific items, collections, or tags.
  • Hide prices from guest visitors and show a Login to see price message. Only logged-in buyers can see the real price.
  • Replace Add to Cart and Buy Now button.
  • Drag and drop form builder.
• Price negotiation loop & order conversion:
  • Request a quote offer and counter-offer.
  • After accepted quote, it will automatically convert to draft order.
• Professional emails & PDF invoices:
  • Get every status of quote via emails.
  • Brand trust via own email server option.
  • Every mail should have option to set company and client details.
• Multi-language & multi-currency setup:
  • Form and button should be translatable.
  • Currency setup.

Hide Prices on Shopify without hurting SEO

There are three ways to hide prices on Shopify. Each has good and bad points.

• Use Shopify’s free Trade theme
  • Best for: Stores that only sell wholesale.
  • The Good: It is free. It hides prices from guest visitors automatically.
  • The Bad: It just leaves an empty space where the price was. There is no "Request a Quote" button for buyers to click.
• Edit the theme code yourself
  • Best for: Developers.
  • The Good: It is free and you can make exactly what you want.
  • The Bad: Your custom code will break the next time you update your Shopify theme.
• Use a Request a Quote app
  • Best for: Most store owners.
  • The Good: It replaces the hidden price with a nice "Request a Quote" button so you get leads. You can easily choose which products hide their prices.
  • The Bad: It costs a monthly fee.

Adjust Google & AI Search during hide prices on Shopify

Many store owners ruin their Google or AI ranking when they hide prices. Follow these simple rules to stay safe:

• Keep your product details visible: Let everyone read about the product without logging in. Include its size, materials, features, and uses. These details help buyers and search engines understand what you sell.
• Add a “Request a Quote” button: Give buyers a clear way to ask for a price. Add a short message beside the button, such as: “Need a price for your order? Request a quote.”
• Keep Google able to find your pages: If you want a product to appear in search, do not hide the whole page behind a login. Also, avoid adding a “noindex” setting. This tells Google to remove the page from search results. Google's noindex guide
• Use accurate price information: Do not use $0 or a made-up price to mean “ask for a quote.” Ask your developer to check the product information your theme or app sends to Google. It should match what visitors can see on the page. Google's guidance
• Check before using Google Shopping: Google Shopping ads and free product listings need a clear price that matches your product page and checkout. Products that only show “Request a Quote,” with no public price, generally do not meet these requirements. They can still appear in regular Google Search. Google’s price requirements

What to include in a Shopify request a quote Form

A Shopify request a quote form should collect the product, quantity, and buyer’s email address. Add other fields only when you need them to prepare the quote.

Keep the form short and easy to fill out. Buyers should not have to enter details that are already in their cart.

You can usually ask for the billing address after the buyer accepts the quote. Leave out extra questions, such as “How did you hear about us?”, unless you have a clear reason to ask.

Let buyers request a quote for several products at once. This makes it easier to ask for a price for the whole order.

How quote negotiation works on Shopify

A quote negotiation is rarely finished on the first try. Most B2B deals require two or three steps. To win the sale, you must keep the whole conversation in one system instead of using scattered emails.

• The buyer requests a quote:
  The buyer sends their product choice, quantity, and company details. Always send a quick reply within an hour to confirm you received it, even if calculating the final price takes more time.
• You send your offer:
  Send a complete and clear price. You must include the unit price, shipping costs, taxes, payment rules, and an expiration date for the offer.
• The buyer asks for changes:
  The buyer might ask for a lower price or offer to buy more items for a discount. Keep this new message in the exact same app or thread. Do not start a new email chain.
• You update the quote:
  Review the request and send a new offer if you can meet it. Keep messages and earlier quotes together so both sides can follow the changes.
• The buyer accepts the quote:
  Once both sides agree, create the order using the agreed details. Depending on your Shopify request a quote app, you may be able to turn the accepted quote into a draft order or send a checkout link.

Set your lowest price before you start. Know how much you need to cover your costs and make a profit. If your app supports a minimum price rule, use it to help prevent discounts that are too large.

How to turn an accepted request a quote into a Shopify order

Turning an accepted quote into a real order is the most important step. A basic contact form cannot do this. You can turn an accepted quote into a Shopify order using a draft order. Add the agreed products and prices, then send the buyer an invoice with a checkout link.

• Create a draft order:
  Go to your Shopify dashboard. Open Orders → Drafts → Create order and add the products and quantities the buyer requested for.
• Set the agreed prices:
  Enter the price for each product. Check that shipping, taxes, and the final total match the agreement.
• Lock the product prices:
  Use Lock product pricing to keep the quoted prices, even if you change your store prices later. Price locks do not support product bundles.
• Reserve stock if needed:
  Hold the items for the buyer and choose when the hold ends. This stops other customers from buying that stock during the hold.
• Set the payment deadline:
  Choose when the buyer must pay. For example, Net 30 means payment is due within 30 days. Shopify’s draft order guide.
• Send the invoice:
  The buyer receives an email with a checkout link. When they pay, the draft becomes an order in Shopify. If you allow payment later, the order can be created before payment is received. Shopify’s invoice guide.

Before sending, check the final total against the accepted quote. The buyer should see the price they agreed to pay.

Best practices to turn B2B quotes into paid orders

Getting a quote button on your website is just the beginning. How you handle the request decides if you win the sale. Here are the proven rules to convert more quotes into orders.

• Respond within one business hour:
  The first response is the most important. Buyers compare prices from multiple vendors at this time. A fast reply helps you win the sale.
• Keep the form short:
  Ask only for what you need: Name, Email, Company, and a Message. Long forms make buyers leave.
• Confirm the request and give a reply time:
  The moment a buyer clicks submit, email them a copy of their request. Add a simple line saying: "We will reply with a firm price within 2 business hours."
• Send clear, detailed proposals:
  Show product prices, shipping, taxes, delivery time, and payment terms. Include a clear date for how long the offer is valid.
• Use the "3-7-14" Follow-Up rule:
  Send a friendly reminder on day 3, a reminder of the deadline on day 7, and a final yes-or-no question on day 14.
• Quote accept or decline:
  Give the buyer a clear way to accept the quote and complete the order, never ask the buyer to re-type their order. When they accept the quote, your system should turn it into a Shopify Draft Order with one click. Send them a direct link so they can simply review and pay.

5 mistakes that reduce Shopify B2B quote conversions

These mistakes can make it harder for buyers to request a quote and place an order.

• Hiding prices from everyone:
  If you sell to both retail and b2b or wholesale buyers, keep retail prices visible. Hide prices only for products or buyers that need a custom quote.
• Hiding simple bulk discounts:
  Do not use a quote form for basic bulk discounts (like "Buy 10, get 10% off"). If you already know the discount, just show it on the product page. Only use quotes for real custom pricing and large negotiations.
• No reply time and no expiration date:
  Tell buyers when they will receive a reply and how long the quote is valid. This helps them plan their next step.
• Replying too slowly:
  Buyers may compare several sellers. Confirm their request quickly and send the full quote within the time you promised.
• Typing orders manually:
  After a buyer accepts, carry the agreed products, quantities, and prices into a Shopify draft order. Check the details before sending the checkout link.

Ready to add request a quote to your Shopify store?

With DQ: B2B Request a Quote (RFQ), you can hide prices, add a quote form, and let buyers suggest a price. Manage requests in one place and turn accepted quotes into Shopify draft orders in one click. No coding needed.

Shopify app DQ: B2B Request a Quote (RFQ)

Add a Request a Quote button and hide prices on your Shopify store.

See the app

Frequently asked questions