Business-2-Business Vs Business-2-Consumer

Business-2 Business VS Business-2-Consumer

Just about every business today has a web site. Weather they are doing business with other businesses or selling directly to the public, a business today needs to have a web site. This paper will discuss Business-2 Business (B2B), Business-2-Consumer (B2C). The paper will look at the marketing concept, and the similarities and differences of brick-and-mortar and eBusiness. Every business, rather online or at a physical site, falls in one of the following categories.

A Comparison of Business-2-Business

and Business-2-Consumer

B2B and B2C are very similar, in fact, "B2B typically takes the form of automated processes between trading partners and is performed in much higher volumes than B2C applications". (Reference.com, 2006). As B2C is "the retailing part of e-commerce and is often contrasted to B2B. (Whatis.com, 2006). B2B and B2C each has five classifications in which businesses fall under. B2B classifications are; "company web site, product supply and procurement exchanges, specialized or vertical industry portals, brokering sites, and information sites". (Whatis.com, 2006). B2C classifications are; "direct sellers, online intermediaries, advertising based models, and fee based models". (Reference.com, 2006).

B2B and B2C Classifications

Business-2-Business Classifications

According the definition information on Whatis.com B2B can be classified in the following categories;

"Company Web sites, since the target audience for many company Web sites is other companies and their employees. Company sites can be thought of as round-the-clock mini-trade exhibits. Sometimes a company Web site serves as the entrance to an exclusive extranet available only to customers or registered site users. Some company Web sites sell directly from the site, effectively e-tailing to other businesses.

Product supply and procurement exchanges, where a company purchasing agent can shop for supplies from vendors, request proposals, and, in some cases, bid to make a purchase at a desired price. Sometimes referred to as e-procurement sites, some serve a range of industries and others focus on a niche market.

Specialized or vertical industry portals which provide a "subWeb" of information, product listings, discussion groups, and other features. These vertical portal sites have a broader purpose than the procurement sites (although they may also support buying and selling).

Brokering sites that act as an intermediary between someone wanting a product or service and potential providers. Equipment leasing is an example.

Information sites (sometimes known as infomediary), which provide information about a particular industry for its companies and their employees. These include specialized search sites and trade and industry standards organization sites".