Bespoke Web Apps for Retail & eCommerce Operations: Stock, Orders, Fulfilment and B2B Pricing in One System

Part of the Web App Guides for SMEs series

How bespoke web apps help retail and eCommerce SMEs centralise stock, orders, fulfilment, returns and B2B pricing—especially when Shopify/WooCommerce no longer fit the operational workflow.

Web Apps Retail Software eCommerce Operations Order Management Stock Control Fulfilment Returns B2B Portals SQL Server SME

Most growing retail and eCommerce brands don’t fail because they can’t take payments—they struggle because operations don’t scale: stock accuracy, fulfilment rules, returns, multiple sales channels and trade customers. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce are excellent for getting started, but many SMEs eventually need a system that reflects how they actually fulfil orders. A bespoke web app can join up stock, orders, customers and warehouse workflows into one reliable platform.

Where Retail & eCommerce Operations Usually Break Down

  • Stock levels differ between the website, warehouse and marketplaces
  • Picking and packing relies on spreadsheets or “tribal knowledge”
  • Returns and refunds are tracked manually across tools
  • B2B/trade pricing is handled by ad-hoc discounts and workarounds
  • Reporting is slow because data is spread across systems

What a Bespoke Retail Operations Web App Typically Covers

1) Product Catalogue with Real-World Complexity

  • Custom attributes, bundles, kits and variants
  • Rules for pricing, availability and channel visibility
  • Trade-specific pricing and contract terms (where needed)

2) Order Management (Across Channels)

  • Central order processing for website + marketplaces + trade orders
  • Status tracking from order → pick/pack → despatch → delivered
  • Rules for split shipments, backorders and substitutions

3) Stock and Inventory as a “Single Source of Truth”

  • Stock by location (warehouse, shop, returns area, quarantine)
  • Reserved vs available stock to prevent overselling
  • Stock movements with audit trails (receiving, adjustments, transfers)

4) Fulfilment Workflows That Match Your Warehouse

  • Pick/pack lists and batching rules
  • Packaging rules and despatch checks
  • Carrier integrations and label generation (where applicable)

5) Returns, Refunds and Aftercare

  • RMA/returns workflow with reasons and condition checks
  • Refund tracking and evidence storage
  • Restock/quarantine rules where needed

6) Trade / B2B Ordering Portals

  • Account-specific pricing, minimum order values and credit rules
  • Order templates and repeat ordering
  • Customer-specific product lists and terms

Why Bespoke Can Beat “More Apps and Plugins”

  • One coherent workflow rather than lots of disconnected tools
  • Integrations with finance/ERP/warehouse systems that actually fit
  • Control over performance and reporting
  • Reduced long-term operational friction as volumes grow

Try Asking…

  • “Why did we oversell this item last week?”
  • “Show orders waiting for pick/pack and what’s blocking them.”
  • “Which products drive the most returns and why?”
  • “Generate a trade customer price list for this account.”

If your store is doing fine but operations feel messy, a bespoke web app can bring order processing and stock under control without disrupting sales.

Email: ab@newma.co.uk
Phone: +44 7967 219288