From a Shopify catalog to B2B enquiries with Qotiva Catalog Connect

A product listing can help a buyer identify something they need, but an industrial enquiry often requires more context than a product name. Quantities, delivery expectations, acceptable conditions and technical questions may still need discussion before a supplier can prepare an offer.

Qotiva Catalog Connect connects Shopify product information with Qotiva's buyer-enquiry workflow. Its role is catalog discovery and RFQs. It does not create a purchasing checkout or turn a Qotiva enquiry into a Shopify order.

Connect the store and review the import

The store connection authorizes the app to read the information needed for the integration. Review the permissions shown during installation and use the appropriate vendor account when connecting the store. Keep test-store work separate from a catalog intended for actual buyers.

After products are imported, review their presentation and category assignments. An import is a starting point, not a reason to assume every item is ready for publication. A category should help the right buyer find the product and understand where it fits.

Make publication deliberate

Check which products are eligible and which need attention before publishing. Review product details, category mappings and the proposed buyer-facing catalog. Resolve missing information rather than expecting buyers to work around it.

Qotiva's catalog tools distinguish preparation from publication. Use the available review controls to decide which eligible products should be visible. Keep the catalog aligned with the store information and review it again after meaningful changes or a sync.

Expect a conversation, not a checkout

A buyer who finds a catalog product may still need a quotation for a particular quantity, delivery requirement or application. The enquiry gives the supplier context for a response. It should not be treated as a completed sale or a promise that stock has been reserved.

For suppliers, the useful next step is to answer the requirement: identify the product being offered, clarify any differences, and explain the relevant availability and commercial assumptions. For buyers, review those details before following your normal purchasing approval process.

Keep billing and catalog operations distinct

Catalog preparation, product publication and subscription management answer different questions. Use the subscription workspace for the current Catalog Connect access and billing information, and read the terms shown in Shopify before approving a subscription.

Do not assume that an app subscription replaces a Shopify store subscription, or that an imported catalog is automatically public. Confirm the current access state and publication state in the relevant workspace. Prices and plan availability should be checked on the current plan screens rather than inferred from an old article.

Start with a small reviewed catalog

Before expanding a catalog, review a manageable set of products end to end. Check the imported details, category assignment and buyer-facing view, then confirm that the enquiry gives the supplier enough context to respond. This makes it easier to spot unclear descriptions or an unsuitable category early.

Read Qotiva for vendors, explore how Qotiva works, and use the supplier response checklist when preparing an offer.

Written by Qotiva Editorial Team · Qotiva Journal