Today, eCommerce has taken the world by storm through its accessibility, convenience, and diverse selection of items.
The pandemic has forced people to purchase items online and physical stores to shift their operations to eCommerce platforms.
This is favorable to both sides as people can still get what they want without leaving their homes, and businesses continue their core operations.
As people use eCommerce more, it is a great opportunity for startups to explore different business models to help bring more success to the company. However, what are these business models? How do they work?
Identifying the Ideal eCommerce Business Model
eCommerce has an array of business models that companies implement. The key here is understanding how these models work and where they work the best.
This can be a competitive industry, so it is important to establish a process that will aid in the company’s success.
Business–to–Consumer (B2C)
The B2C business model is the most common as it is simply about selling to the end-user. Any purchase through an online store is considered B2C. Things like clothes, household items, and gadgets fall under this category.
However, B2C is not purely based on physical products and includes services as part of the business model.
Business–to–Business (B2B)
A B2B model is relatively niche compared to B2C. Businesses such as service providers and software companies implement this model, which involves a longer sales cycle but has a higher order value and recurring purchases.
Consumer–to–Consumer (C2C)
C2C involves transactions between consumers. Often, C2C platforms allow people to buy, sell, and trade products which typically involves a third-party business to protect consumers and manage quality.
C2C platforms also allow individuals to edit their price listings and enable other consumers to negotiate with them regarding the price.
Business–to–Business–to–Consumer (B2B2C)
B2B2C eCommerce is when a company sells products to another company, which are then sold to consumers.
Wholesale distribution is an example of a B2B2C. They sell merchandise to retail stores that are then sold to the customers. The advantage of B2B2C is the acquisition of new customers and the potential growth of the customer base.
Tips on Choosing the Right Business Model
Are you ready to set up your business online? Below is a list that will help you determine the suitable business model for your eCommerce venture.
Determine your products or services
There are several products that businesses can sell to customers, but determining which ones to sell is important since there will be a specific target audience.
Identifying eCommerce business ideas will help you see which model is ideal since it will target a specific audience.
For instance, digital services like virtual assistant solutions are better catered to businesses (B2B), while a sticker business that targets anime viewers can utilize the B2C.
Look at what you’re selling
After identifying what products, it’s important to know what kind of product it is. Are you going to sell physical items? Is it an online service?
Or is it a subscription? Businesses also need to determine if their audience needs bulk orders, specific measurements, and materials.
Identify the target audience
The third tip is to know and understand your target audience. Companies need to pinpoint their target audience to maximize their products’ potential since there will be a group that will be more appropriate to sell to than others
One example is if a business is offering printing services. Many potential customers will come from businesses, meaning the target audience will lean towards a B2B eCommerce model.
However, it is essential to remember that personalization also plays a vital role despite knowing the target audience. Things like email & SMS marketing are popular ways to attract consumers and businesses. It plays a key role in determining.
Know the short-term and long-term goals
With any business-related venture, there are short-term and long-term goals that a business needs to determine. It’s a simple step, but it helps a business identify which eCommerce business model will work best for the next year and far along in the future.
Consider plans to expand the customer base
If a business focuses on selling products to consumers, that doesn’t mean it has to remain there. For example, if there are opportunities to expand the customer base that will include organizations and other businesses, it will be a great chance to consider utilizing the B2B2C model since customer growth can rapidly increase.
Understand Your Goals and Audience to Identify Your Business Model
Depending on the company, one type of business model will be ideal. If it involves consumers, a B2C is the way to go. If it involves other businesses, then B2B is a perfect choice.
Determining the kind of eCommerce business model should not be too difficult if everything is given careful consideration.
The key here is to understand what kind of product or service the company plans to offer and the customer segments that will benefit from this.
Apart from identifying these factors, it’s essential to keep up with since these can be game-changing occurrences that can help any business.
For businesses that want to start their venture into eCommerce, it is best to explore numerous eCommerce solutions to boost visibility and continuity.
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