BNPL for B2B: How to use it in your business
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about BNPL for B2B. including how it works, how to maximise the benefits and the options available for implementation.
0
min read
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about BNPL for B2B. including how it works, how to maximise the benefits and the options available for implementation.
0
min read
When it comes to selling in the business world, the way you manage your B2B payments is a key part of the experience you provide. And with more and more buyers looking for longer payment terms, it’s no surprise that B2B buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) is growing in popularity, with the market expected to grow 106% between 2024-2028.
This follows rapid progress in the B2C space where, as of 2024, 50% of UK adults have now used BNPL (including 69% of millennials). With businesses looking to maximise flexibility and choice in their purchases in the face of a challenging economic environment, offering BNPL for B2B has the potential to help sellers attract, convert and retain more customers, while growing their revenue.
B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) is a payment solution that enables businesses to purchase goods or services and defer payment over an agreed period, typically in installments. Unlike the usual payment methods in B2B, where buyers pay upfront or within a predefined credit term to the seller, B2B BNPL offers greater flexibility and immediate payment to sellers. That’s because instead of just involving the buyer and seller agreeing between themselves, there is a third-party finance provider facilitating the transaction.
By adding a credit option at the point of purchase, the seller is paid straight away by the BNPL provider, while the buyer can spread the cost of the purchase over 3-12 months. This works as a win-win for both parties, leading to smoother transactions and stronger business relationships.
Here’s how the B2B BNPL process typically unfolds:
The integration of BNPL with digital payment platforms ensures that the process is seamless for both sides, with minimal manual work, and streamlined collections.
B2B BNPL has some similarities with traditional trade credit – a longstanding way for buyers and sellers to manage payments – but they differ significantly in structure and execution.
Trade credit typically involves setting terms (e.g., net 30 or net 60) directly with the seller, who bears the risk of delayed payments and has to take responsibility for approving the creditworthiness of the buyer, and chasing payments as required. This is a separate administrative task, and not the core activity of the seller in question, meaning it can be slow and time consuming.
B2B BNPL relies on a specialist intermediary to manage the credit, approvals and repayments process, all integrated within the transaction.
While trade credit has a long history, the traditional process is now out of step with the way many businesses buy and sell – with digital and online taking a larger and larger role.
B2B BNPL can be integrated directly into digital sales platforms to streamline approvals, credit checking, underwriting and payment making it more accessible to businesses of all sizes.
For SMEs, in particular, B2B BNPL removes the headache of lengthy credit applications and high eligibility thresholds, making it easier to compete with larger players.
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As a rule, industries with complex supply chains or high-value transactions stand to gain the most from B2B BNPL. By offering instant payments and extended terms, you can help more customers buy – and buy more – without taking on the risk of bad debts.
The growing popularity of B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) stems from its ability to deliver tangible benefits for businesses in the areas that matter most, namely cash flow management, sales growth, and operations.
For businesses looking to spread the cost of purchases and sellers looking to shorten settlement cycles as compared with trade trade credit, B2B BNPL can provide major cash flow benefits.
This dual benefit ensures businesses on both sides of the transaction maintain liquidity and financial flexibility.
B2B BNPL can be a game-changer for customer acquisition and retention, especially during periods where your customers may have less capital on than usual. Offering flexible payment terms attracts buyers who need financial flexibility, allowing them to make larger purchases. Sellers often see up to a 40% increase in conversion rates, as well as an increase in average order values.
Traditional trade credit manual credit checks and approvals from sellers, with the workload rising as sales grow, with an ever large credit book to manage. B2B BNPL replaces this with automated processes, from credit checks to payment collection. This frees up more time for businesses to focus on sales and strategic priorities rather than administrative tasks.
The UK boasts several reputable B2B BNPL providers, each offering unique features tailored to business needs.
Each provider has distinct terms, fees, and capabilities, so businesses should evaluate them based on their operational and financial needs.
Adopting B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) can offer major benefits for businesses, but it’s essential to carefully assess the associated costs, risks, and compliance requirements before implementing it.
B2B BNPL services involve costs that vary for sellers and buyers, depending on the provider and chosen payment terms.
For sellers:
It's important to confirm whether there are additional costs for setup, maintenance, or customization, which might apply with certain providers.
For buyers:
Understanding these costs helps both sellers and buyers make informed decisions aligned with their financial strategies.
While B2B BNPL offers reduced risk for sellers by ensuring upfront payments, there are still important risk factors to consider.
Defaults or late payments may be reported to credit agencies, potentially impacting credit scores. Businesses should ensure that BNPL is used responsibly, maintaining a balance between flexibility and fiscal discipline.
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The regulatory environment surrounding BNPL services is designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and security for all stakeholders.
Compliance Requirements for Businesses:
iwocaPay strictly adheres to FCA standards, using up-to-date security protocols to safeguard transactions and customer data. This includes encryption, fraud detection, and clear contractual terms that protect all parties involved.
B2B BNPL solutions offer a range of payment options to suit diverse business needs, which can vary by industry, product and supplier. The terms available may also depend on the buyer’s financial health and creditworthiness.
The more flexible terms you can offer to buyers, the better their experience. And while with trade credit, longer terms mean more risk, with B2B BNPL, sellers are paid upfront whatever happens.
BNPL providers like iwocaPay allow sellers to customise terms based on buyer profiles, offering flexibility in repayment schedules and credit limits. For instance, suppliers can extend interest-free terms to loyal buyers or incentivise new customers with promotional rates.
Integration depends on your sales channels and operational setup. Most B2B BNPL providers offer flexible solutions to fit diverse business needs:
B2B BNPL makes buying and selling easier for every side of a transaction, while reducing risk, stress and admin work. By offering flexible payment terms, you can remove barriers for your trade customers while ensuring your business gets paid upfront every time.
With iwocaPay, you gain a streamlined and secure solution built to work seamlessly with your existing systems. Whether you’re a seller looking to increase average order values or a buyer seeking greater purchasing power, iwocaPay delivers flexibility without the hassle.
iwocaPay simplifies B2B payments, empowering businesses to thrive in competitive markets.
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To successfully implement B2B BNPL, you’ll need:
Setup times vary depending on the complexity of your chosen integration method:
Yes, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) oversees BNPL services in the UK. Providers like iwocaPay comply with these regulations, ensuring responsible lending practices and robust protections for both sellers and buyers.
Businesses adopting BNPL should consider:
Responsible use of BNPL services won’t negatively impact your credit rating. Defaults, however, may influence ratings for buyers, so timely payments are essential.
Setup is fast, often taking just a few days for basic integrations like pay links or plugins.
For B2B businesses who want to get paid instantly while offering flexible payment terms.
For trade customers who want to increase their purchasing power while keeping control of their cashflow.