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How to use Customer Groups (Simple)

Updated

Customer Groups (Simple) allow you to create special pricing and product visibility for specific customer segments. Use groups to manage wholesale customers, B2B buyers, or any customers requiring different pricing structures. The Customer Groups (Advanced) add-on module provides additional functionality including purchase managers, budget controls, payment method restrictions, and custom discount rules.

Important: Customer Groups affect both product pricing and visibility. Ensure you configure group pricing at the product level after creating groups. 
👥 Creating and Managing Customer Groups

1Go to Customers > Manage Customer Groups.

2Click Add New Customer Group to create additional groups.

Tip: You can click the Number of Members hyperlink to view the list of customers assigned to that group.

3Complete the following fields for each group:

  • Customer Group Name - Display name for the group (e.g., "Wholesale", "B2B", "VIP")
  • Customer Group Code - Unique code customers can enter during registration
  • Sort Order - Numerical order for display priority
Note: The Customer Groups (Advanced) add-on module provides additional functionality including purchase managers, budget controls, payment method restrictions, and custom discount rules. Contact Pulse Commerce Support for more information about advanced features.

4Check Allow new customer to enter Group Code during registration if you want customers to self-register into groups using the group code.

5Click Save Changes.

Tip: Keep group codes simple and memorable if allowing customer self-registration.
🏷️ Assigning Customers to Groups

1Go to Customers > Search Customers.

2Find the customer and click Edit.

3In the Advanced Settings section, select the Customer Group radio button under Pricing Option.

4Choose the appropriate group from the dropdown menu.

5Click Save Changes.

Customer Self-Registration

If you enabled group code registration, customers can enter the group code during account creation on your storefront. The system will automatically assign them to that group.

💰 Setting Up Group Pricing

Configure special pricing for customer groups at the product level.

1Go to Products > Product Catalog Manager.

2Open the Product Editor by creating a new product or editing an existing one.

3Click the Advanced Tab.

4Scroll down to the Customer Group Pricing section.

5Enter special pricing for each customer group:

  • Price - The special price for this group
  • Visible - Check this box to display the group price on the storefront; uncheck to hide pricing from non-group customers

6Click Update.

Important: If the Visible checkbox is NOT selected, the normal price will be shown to all customers and the discounted group price will NOT be applied. Always check Visible to activate group pricing.

Bulk Pricing Updates

Use the Product Import/Export feature to update customer group pricing in bulk. Customer group pricing appears in the Customer Group Pricing column of the product import template.

🛒 How Group Pricing Works on Orders

When customers in a group place orders, the system automatically applies their group pricing.

Storefront Behavior

  • Customers see their group pricing when logged in
  • Products without group pricing display at regular price
  • Products with Visible unchecked show regular price regardless of group membership

Admin Order Entry

When creating orders in the admin panel:

1Go to Sales Orders and create or edit an order.

2On the Items Tab, each line item has a Price Group dropdown.

3The customer's assigned group is selected by default.

4Select a different group from the dropdown to change the pricing for that specific order line item.

Tip: You can override group pricing on individual orders by selecting a different price group in the order editor. This is useful for special circumstances or promotional pricing.
🔐 Product Visibility by Group

Control which products are visible to specific customer groups on your storefront.

Restricting Products to Groups

In the Product Editor's Advanced Tab, configure the Customer Group Pricing section:

  • Visible checked - Product is visible to this group with special pricing
  • Visible unchecked - Product is hidden from this group or shows regular pricing
  • No group pricing set - Product displays at regular price for all groups
Use Case: Create exclusive product catalogs for wholesale customers by setting group pricing with Visible checked only for your wholesale group, while leaving it unchecked for other groups.

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