How to Combine Site Builder Features for Custom NetSuite eCommerce Solutions

Key Takeaways

• Site Builder is included with NetSuite ERP at no additional platform cost
• Mobile responsiveness is not available out-of-the-box and requires custom development to retrofit
• Significantly reduces manual order entry errors compared to manual workflows
• Site Builder performance degrades when category pages exceed recommended limits (25–50 items per page and large category counts)
• SuiteCommerce breaks even through avoided custom development and improved conversion rates
• Migration planning should begin immediately for businesses with growing catalogs

The Reality of Site Builder in 2025

NetSuite Site Builder serves as a legacy eCommerce platform that integrates directly with NetSuite ERP, providing database-driven websites with real-time inventory synchronization, order management, and customer data integration. The platform offers point-and-click setup with prebuilt themes and basic customization options.

However, the platform's status has changed dramatically. Site Builder is no longer sold to new NetSuite customers and receives only security patches—no new features or enhancements.

The core challenge isn't technical capability—Site Builder handles basic eCommerce functions adequately. The problem lies in modern business requirements:

• Limited native mobile responsiveness - Out-of-the-box themes are desktop-first and require custom development.
• HTTPS requires patches - Security compliance demands custom development
• Performance issues with large catalogs - Requires strict control of items per page and category size to maintain speed
• Limited customization depth - Advanced features need expensive SuiteScript development
• No modern checkout flows - Single-page checkout requires platform migration

For businesses currently running Site Builder, the question isn't whether to migrate—it's when and how to execute the transition while maintaining operations.

What Site Builder Actually Offers for Custom Solutions

Despite its deprecated status, Site Builder provides three levels of customization that businesses can combine for short-term solutions.

Basic Customization Layer

The entry-level approach requires no coding knowledge and delivers functional results quickly:

• Prebuilt themes with color scheme customization
• Logo upload and basic branding
• Category organization for product navigation
• Standard checkout field configuration
• Payment gateway integration (Authorize.Net, PayPal, CyberSource)
• Basic shipping carrier setup

This level handles straightforward B2C scenarios where businesses need online ordering capability without complex requirements. Setup involves navigating to Commerce > Site Builder and following the guided configuration process.

Advanced Site Customization

The second tier unlocks HTML and CSS editing capabilities, though it demands technical skills:

• Custom item and category templates
• Modified page layouts and structure
• Web Site Tags for dynamic content
• Custom fields for checkout data collection
• Email template customization
• Enhanced SEO configuration

Professional implementation at this level enables brand-specific experiences but doesn't solve mobile responsiveness or performance limitations.

SuiteScript Integration

The most advanced tier uses SuiteScript for custom business logic:

• Complex pricing calculations based on customer segments
• Custom inventory availability checks
• Integration with external systems via RESTlets
• Automated workflow triggers on order events
• Custom validation rules for checkout process

While powerful, this creates technical debt that complicates future migrations since custom SuiteScript doesn't automatically transfer to SuiteCommerce platforms.

Why Combining Features Delivers Better Results

The practical reality: businesses achieve best results by layering Site Builder capabilities strategically rather than relying on one customization level.

Real-Time ERP Data Integration

Site Builder's native NetSuite connection provides advantages impossible with standalone eCommerce platforms:

• Inventory accuracy - Real-time stock levels prevent overselling
• Pricing synchronization - Customer-specific pricing from NetSuite CRM flows to storefront
• Order automation - Transactions automatically create sales orders in ERP
• Customer data unity - Account information, order history, and payment methods sync bidirectionally

This integration eliminates manual order entry that businesses experience with disconnected systems. However, the benefit only materializes when properly configured.

Personalized Catalog Views for B2B

For wholesale distributors and manufacturers planning beyond Site Builder, SuiteCommerce’s Personalized Catalog Views enable customer-specific product access:

• Different product catalogs for different customer segments
• Account-based pricing tiers automatically applied
• Role-based permissions controlling catalog visibility
• Custom item availability rules per customer group

Implementation requires combining basic configuration with custom fields and potentially SuiteScript. The payoff: B2B customers see only relevant products at their negotiated prices, reducing confusion and support calls.

Custom Checkout Fields for Order Processing

Standard checkout captures minimal information, but custom fields enable business-specific data collection:

• Purchase order numbers for B2B buyers
• Project codes for job tracking
• Special delivery instructions
• Gift messages and packaging options
• Resale certificates for tax exemption

The setup process requires creating custom transaction body fields in NetSuite, then enabling them for sale and web store transaction types. This combination handles most order-specific requirements without coding.

Performance Optimization Strategies Within Site Builder Limitations

Site Builder's architecture creates hard performance limits, but strategic configuration minimizes impact.

Item and Category Structure

NetSuite documentation recommends specific thresholds:

• NetSuite recommends keeping listing pages to 25–50 items and avoiding oversized categories to maintain performance
• Maximum 50 items displayed per page to prevent timeouts
• Maximum 100 site tabs to maintain navigation performance
• Limit saved searches on public-facing pages to reduce database queries

Exceeding these limits causes exponential performance degradation. The solution: create hierarchical category structures that subdivide large product sets.

Image Optimization Requirements

Product images significantly impact page load speed:

• Upload images to Web Site Hosting Files folder
• Use exact file name matching between item records and uploaded images
• Optimize image file sizes (recommend under 200KB per image)
• Create separate thumbnail and main product images
• Limit image dimensions to actual display size

Poor image management accounts for significant performance problems in Site Builder implementations.

Layering Custom Code: When SuiteScript Makes Sense

While Site Builder offers visual configuration, certain scenarios demand custom SuiteScript development.

Dynamic Pricing Based on Business Rules

Standard pricing in Site Builder comes from NetSuite price levels, but complex scenarios require code:

• Quantity-based tier pricing
• Customer segment combinations
• Time-based promotions
• Bundle pricing

SuiteScript enables these calculations by intercepting the cart before final pricing, applying business logic, and returning modified totals.

RESTlet Integration for External Systems

When Site Builder needs data from non-NetSuite systems, RESTlets provide API endpoints:

• Real-time shipping rate calculations from carrier APIs
• Product availability from external warehouse systems
• Credit verification from third-party services
• Loyalty program integration for discount application

RESTlets handle GET and POST requests, process business logic, and return formatted responses. Security requires OAuth 2.0 authentication to protect endpoints.

The Mobile Responsiveness Problem and Migration Reality

Site Builder lacks native responsive themes; responsive layouts can be custom-built but require significant development effort. The platform architecture predates mobile-first design principles. Research shows shoppers abandon websites that don't work properly on mobile devices. For businesses where mobile traffic represents significant visitor percentages, Site Builder actively damages revenue.

Migration Path Options

NetSuite offers two modern platforms:

SuiteCommerce:

• Fully responsive design with automatic mobile optimization
• Automatic platform updates from NetSuite
• Limited source code access (configuration-based customization)
• Best for B2C and straightforward B2B scenarios

SuiteCommerce Advanced:

• Full source code access for pixel-perfect customization
• Manual upgrade management for version control
• Advanced B2B features including quote management
• Complex workflow capabilities

Professional migration services vary based on catalog complexity, customization requirements, and chosen platform. Organizations report break-even through avoided custom development, improved conversion rates, and reduced maintenance costs.

Security and Compliance Challenges

Site Builder's age creates modern compliance problems that require understanding before investing in customization.

HTTPS Implementation Issues

Unlike modern platforms with built-in SSL, Site Builder typically requires manual configuration and patching to achieve full-site HTTPS, unlike SuiteCommerce which includes it natively. This affects:

• PCI DSS compliance for credit card processing
• Customer trust (browsers display "Not Secure" warnings)
• SEO rankings (Google penalizes non-HTTPS sites)
• Payment gateway requirements (many now mandate HTTPS)

Modern SuiteCommerce platforms include these features by default.

Practical Short-Term Improvements While Planning Migration

For businesses committed to eventual migration but needing immediate improvements, these strategies deliver ROI without creating excessive technical debt.

Optimize Existing Catalog Structure

• Reorganize products into categories under 250 items each
• Remove unused or duplicate products from web store visibility
• Improve product descriptions and images for better conversion
• Implement basic SEO (meta titles, descriptions, URL customization)

Add Critical Custom Fields

• Purchase order number capture for B2B customers
• Project/job codes for tracking
• Special instructions fields
• Preferred delivery date selection

Implement Basic Workflow Automation

Create NetSuite workflows for:

• Order approval for high-value transactions
• Email notifications to sales team on new orders
• Automatic order routing based on customer segment
• Inventory alerts when stock drops below thresholds

Configure Abandoned Cart Recovery

While Site Builder lacks native abandoned cart features, you can approximate functionality:

• Create saved searches identifying incomplete transactions
• Set up scheduled email workflows
• Track cart abandonment rates for migration ROI justification

Integration with BigCommerce as Alternative Path

For businesses finding SuiteCommerce pricing challenging, BigCommerce with NetSuite integration offers a middle ground.

NetSuite Connector for BigCommerce

The official NetSuite Connector enables:

• Real-time inventory synchronization
• Order automation from BigCommerce to NetSuite
• Customer record matching and creation
• Payment and shipping method mapping
• Multi-channel selling across platforms

Implementation best practices require careful configuration to avoid order sync errors.

CSV Import Automation for Price and Inventory Updates

Manual price updates become impractical beyond a few dozen products. CSV import functionality enables bulk updates.

Price Level Updates

To update quantity-based pricing via CSV:

1. Export existing item price levels to establish format
2. Modify pricing in spreadsheet with proper column structure
3. Import CSV with "Update" mode selected
4. Verify price changes in sample item records
5. Schedule regular imports for vendor price updates

The process handles thousands of items in minutes versus hours of manual entry.

Industry-Specific Customization Examples

Different industries require different Site Builder approaches based on NetSuite's sector expertise.

Wholesale Distribution Portals

Wholesale distributors need:

• Customer-specific pricing tiers
• Minimum order quantities
• Bulk order forms for quick reordering
• Account credit limit enforcement
• Purchase order number capture

Implementation combines Personalized Catalog Views for customer segmentation with custom fields for order requirements.

Manufacturing B2B Sites

Manufacturers require:

• Configure-price-quote (CPQ) capabilities
• Engineering specifications upload
• Project-based ordering
• Component availability across assemblies
• Lead time visibility

Site Builder handles basic scenarios but complex CPQ typically demands SuiteCommerce Advanced migration.

Retail Multi-Channel

Retailers need:

• Gift registry and wish lists
• Product reviews and ratings
• Size/color variant management
• Inventory visibility across store locations
• Buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS)

Site Builder's limitations become most apparent in retail scenarios. The lack of mobile responsiveness and modern UX features directly impacts conversion rates, making SuiteCommerce migration a higher priority.

Why Anchor Group Makes Site Builder and Migration Decisions Easier

Businesses stuck between "make Site Builder work" and "migrate now" need honest guidance from NetSuite experts who understand both platforms and real-world constraints.

Anchor Group specializes in SuiteCommerce implementation, customization, and BigCommerce integration—making us uniquely qualified to assess your specific situation.

What Sets Anchor Group Apart

Our team brings proven expertise across NetSuite ERP, SuiteCommerce, and BigCommerce:

• Oracle NetSuite Alliance Partner with specialized SuiteCommerce certification
• Pre-built SuiteCommerce apps that accelerate implementation and reduce custom development costs
• Midwestern approach: We like to earn our keep—and help you earn yours, with transparent communication and practical solutions
• Industry-specific experience in wholesale distribution, manufacturing, software, and retail sectors

Our consultants focus on understanding your business goals before recommending technology paths.

Migration Planning Support

If your assessment reveals migration as the right path, Anchor Group provides:

• Honest ROI analysis - We calculate break-even timelines based on your specific traffic, conversion rates, and operational costs
• Phased migration strategies - Implementation that maintains operations during transition
• Data migration expertise - Seamless transfer of products, customers, and order history with zero downtime
• Team training - Your staff ready to manage the new platform from day one

For businesses where SuiteCommerce pricing creates budget challenges, we offer BigCommerce integration as a cost-effective alternative.

Short-Term Optimization Services

For businesses needing to maximize Site Builder performance before eventual migration:

• Performance audits identifying specific bottlenecks and fixes
• Custom field implementation for B2B order requirements
• Workflow automation reducing manual processing time
• SuiteScript development for complex pricing or business logic

Working with us should feel like calling up your neighbor for a hand—familiar, reliable, and no fuss. Because we're Midwestern born and bred, and that's how we believe service should feel.

Ready to discuss your Site Builder situation? Contact our team for an honest assessment of whether short-term optimization or migration makes sense for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Site Builder handle my business needs long-term, or should I migrate now?

The honest answer depends on three factors: mobile traffic percentage, growth trajectory, and technical debt tolerance. If mobile represents significant traffic, migration should happen soon—you're actively losing sales daily due to poor mobile experience. For businesses with limited mobile traffic and modest growth plans, strategic Site Builder optimization can work while budgeting for migration. However, Site Builder is officially deprecated, receiving only security patches. The question isn't if you'll migrate, but when.

How do Personalized Catalog Views improve B2B eCommerce on Site Builder?

Personalized Catalog Views enable customer segment-specific product visibility and pricing—critical for wholesale distributors and manufacturers serving different buyer classes. Setup involves creating customer groups in NetSuite, assigning products to specific catalogs, and configuring visibility rules. When properly implemented, B2B customers see only relevant products at their negotiated pricing tiers, reducing confusion and support calls. For complex B2B scenarios requiring quote management and approval workflows, SuiteCommerce Advanced provides superior capabilities.

What's the fastest way to add custom checkout fields for purchase orders and project codes?

Look for an option labeled Customization > Transaction Body Fields in NetSuite, create new fields with appropriate data types, then enable them for both "Sale" and "Web Store" transaction types. The fields automatically appear in Site Builder checkout within a few hours. For optimal user experience, add field labels clearly indicating required vs. optional information. Common business uses include purchase order numbers, project codes, delivery instructions, and resale certificates. Custom fields transfer to SuiteCommerce during migration, preserving data collection logic.

Should I consider BigCommerce with NetSuite integration instead of SuiteCommerce?

BigCommerce represents a viable middle path for budget-conscious businesses needing modern responsive design. The official NetSuite Connector synchronizes inventory, orders, customers, and pricing in real-time. Best practices require careful payment and shipping method mapping to prevent order sync errors. Choose BigCommerce when you need modern eCommerce features at lower monthly costs. Choose SuiteCommerce when deep NetSuite integration, unified user experience, and simplified vendor management outweigh cost considerations.

How can I tell if my Site Builder performance problems are fixable or require migration?

Run these diagnostics: Count products per category (if any exceed 250 items, reorganize structure), measure page load times (over 5 seconds indicates issues), check items displayed per page (reduce to under 50), and audit saved searches on public pages (minimize or eliminate). If optimization brings load times under 3 seconds, Site Builder can function acceptably short-term. However, if problems persist after optimization, technical limitations demand migration. Additional red flags requiring migration: need for single-page checkout, advanced product filtering, or modern search capabilities.