Know-How Exchange : Student Questions

B2B (Business to Business) site:

Specifically caters one busines to another business. Usually providing inhouse service or maitanance software/networks for other businesses to utilize in order to increase function, marketing, sales, profits, efficiency and the like. Examples: Microsoft.com, Macromedia.com, Marketing sites, crmguru.com, basically anything targeting business owners, managers, and decision makers.

B2C (Business to Consumer) site:

Specifically caters to a group or target consumer in order to expose, sell, market. etc goods or services to the public. Examples: Amazon.com, ebay.com, Walmart.com, Borders.com, basically anything offering a retail product to the public in the form of a virtual store.

I hope this helps!

Hi Wolfdances,

The major characteristic of B2B is that companies attempt to automate the trading process in order to improve it.

Automating saves a tremendous amount of time and money.

Although B2C gets more publicity, the amount of money transacted annually through B2B is much greater than B2C.

The major characteristic of B2C is that companies try to create a direct relationship with consumers without the involvement of intermediaries such as distributors, wholesalers and dealers.

The difference in marketing is that a B2B "seller" tries to differentiate itself from its competition by marketing its value proposition to its target market as one that will save the "buyer" companies a great deal of time and money by automating as much of their supply chain as possible. They do this through the traditional offline methods of advertising, tradeshow, field sales etc. along with websites that provide customer only access to their accounts and inventory. In addition, e-mail marketing and other communications using the supply chain channels is effective.

Establishing strategic partnerships and alliances can also provide tremendous synergies and leverage.

B2C also uses traditional offline methods along with the integration of online tools such as interactive websites, email marketing, online communities, CPC (cost-per-click advertising such as Google AdWords) pop-up and banner ads etc.

B2B may also utilize some of those mentioned for B2C and vice versa. The goal of any marketing program for either one is to find the combination of integrated online and offline tools that produces maximum sales, minimum expense and maximum profit, and therein lies the challenge to management.

I hope that helps.