eCommerce Business Models
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Your eCommerce business strategy
In today’s digital landscape, businesses across all industries increasingly rely on online operations to thrive. Whether you’re a B2B, B2C or some other configuration, your business success is directly affected by your eCommerce business strategy.
Taking your first steps into eCommerce or looking to enhance an established digital presence requires a clear understanding of eCommerce business models, including which model best aligns with your needs and requirements.
Get in touch with our team of experts to learn more about eCommerce business models.
Your customers' expectations - for B2B, B2C, B2B2C and D2C
Customer expectations have risen massively in recent years and we’ve seen a convergence of customer experience-led thinking. The consensus is that the B2B experience now needs to be just as good as B2C customer experiences, or sales will suffer.
Differentiating the main types of eCommerce models
First things first, lets start by differentiating between the main types of eCommerce business models:
B2B
The customer experience for B2B commerce needs to be as good as the experience for B2C commerce. Company buyers now demand the same quality throughout the purchasing journey as they would when adopting a consumer persona.
There are many additional complexities and industry nuances to consider in B2B that you needn’t consider so heavily when targeting consumers. Our experts have helped companies in the B2B space make sense of this and create highly targeted–and by extension, successful–campaigns off the back of their collaboration with us.
B2B: Software business selling to enterprises.
B2C: Taxi firm connecting passengers with drivers.
B2C
We help brands and companies transform their digital offerings, from the ground up. Customer experience isn’t just about how good the front end looks, it’s just as important to be able to deliver on the promises made to your customers throughout their journey.
Our team of experts have vast amounts of experience in B2C commerce that will enable your customers to easily interact with you, form a strong relationship with your brand and become a brand evangelist. Let us give you an unfair advantage to ensure you consistently have the edge on your competitors.
B2B2C
The B2B2C model represents a hybrid approach that combines elements of both B2B and B2C strategies. In this model, a business provides products or services to another business, which then offers them to its own customers. This approach allows companies to leverage existing customer bases and distribution channels while maintaining control over their brand and customer experience.
B2B2C is particularly effective in industries such as software, wholesale or distribution, where a company might provide white-label solutions to businesses that then customise and sell them to end consumers.
From an eCommerce perspective, B2B2C is crucial as it enables businesses to expand their reach, reduce customer acquisition costs, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. By utilising this model, companies can tap into new markets, gain valuable insights from both business partners and end consumers, and ultimately drive growth in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
B2B2C: App store selling third-party apps to consumers.
D2C: Mattress manufacturer selling directly to consumers.
D2C
In addition to B2B and B2C models, the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) business model has gained significant traction in the eCommerce landscape. D2C refers to manufacturers or brands selling their products directly to end consumers, bypassing traditional intermediaries such as retailers or wholesalers. This model is particularly prevalent in industries like fashion, beauty, and consumer electronics.
D2C brands leverage eCommerce platforms and digital marketing strategies to establish direct relationships with their customers, offering personalised experiences and often more competitive pricing.
From an eCommerce perspective, the D2C model is crucial for businesses as it allows for greater control over brand messaging, increasing customer awareness of the complete product range, direct access to customer data, improving and managing profit margins. It also enables companies to quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences and market trends, fostering innovation and customer loyalty. By embracing D2C, businesses can create a seamless omnichannel experience, enhance customer engagement, and gain valuable insights to drive product development and marketing strategies.
B2B eCommerce is coming for B2C
Business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce sales will have explosive growth in coming years and will soon be competing with the business-to-consumer (B2C) market, according to industry forecasts. B2B buyers want to make business purchases online, and B2B companies continue to see the benefits of using eCommerce to supplement their existing buying mechanisms and channels to market.
See how BigCommerce view The Key Distinctions Between B2B and B2C Ecommerce Success.