7 Reasons Why B2B E-Commerce Is Better Than B2C E-Commerce
E-commerce is the process of buying and selling goods or services online. There are two main types of e-commerce: business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). B2C e-commerce is when a business sells directly to individual customers, while B2B e-commerce is when a business sells to other businesses.
Both types of e-commerce have their advantages and disadvantages, but in this article, we will focus on why B2B e-commerce is better than B2C e-commerce. Here are seven reasons why:
1. Higher Average Order Value
One of the main benefits of B2B e-commerce is that it typically has a higher average order value (AOV) than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses tend to buy in bulk and have larger budgets than individual consumers. According to a report by Shopify, the average order value for B2B e-commerce was $491 in 2019, compared to $74 for B2C e-commerce.
A higher AOV means more revenue and profit for the seller, as well as lower costs per transaction. It also allows the seller to offer discounts and incentives to attract and retain loyal customers.
2. Longer Customer Lifetime Value
Another advantage of B2B e-commerce is that it usually has a longer customer lifetime value (CLV) than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses tend to have more complex and long-term relationships with their suppliers than consumers do with their retailers. Businesses also tend to be more loyal and less price-sensitive than consumers, as they value quality, reliability, and service over price.
A longer CLV means more recurring revenue and profit for the seller, as well as lower customer acquisition costs. It also allows the seller to build trust and loyalty with their customers and create long-term partnerships.
3. More Opportunities for Upselling and Cross-Selling
A third benefit of B2B e-commerce is that it offers more opportunities for upselling and cross-selling than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses often have multiple needs and pain points that can be solved by the seller’s products or services. Businesses also tend to have multiple decision-makers and influencers who can be persuaded by the seller’s value proposition.
Upselling and cross-selling are effective ways to increase the AOV and CLV of the customers, as well as to provide more value and satisfaction to them. They also help the seller to differentiate themselves from their competitors and establish themselves as experts and trusted advisors.
4. Easier to Scale and Expand
A fourth advantage of B2B e-commerce is that it is easier to scale and expand than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses have fewer geographic and demographic limitations than consumers, as they can sell to anyone who needs their products or services, regardless of their location, age, gender, or income. Businesses also have fewer legal and regulatory barriers than consumers, as they can comply with different laws and standards across different markets.
Scaling and expanding are essential for the growth and success of any business, as they allow the seller to reach new customers, increase their market share, and diversify their revenue streams. They also help the seller to leverage economies of scale and scope, reduce their risks, and enhance their reputation.
5. More Control Over Pricing and Branding
A fifth benefit of B2B e-commerce is that it gives more control over pricing and branding than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses have more bargaining power and flexibility than consumers, as they can negotiate prices, terms, and conditions with their suppliers based on their needs and preferences. Businesses also have more influence over their brand image and reputation than consumers, as they can customize their products or services, create their own content and marketing campaigns, and collect feedback from their customers.
Having more control over pricing and branding means more autonomy and creativity for the seller, as well as higher margins and differentiation. It also means more satisfaction and loyalty for the customers, as they can get the best value and experience from the seller.
6. More Data and Insights
A sixth advantage of B2B e-commerce is that it generates more data and insights than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses have more interactions and transactions with their suppliers than consumers do with their retailers, which creates more data points and variables to analyze. Businesses also have more sophisticated tools and systems to collect, store, process, and visualize data than consumers do.
More data and insights mean more knowledge and intelligence for the seller, as well as better decision-making and performance. It also means more personalization and optimization for the customers, as they can get tailored products or services, recommendations, offers, and support from the seller.
7. More Innovation and Collaboration
A seventh benefit of B2B e-commerce is that it fosters more innovation and collaboration than B2C e-commerce. This is because businesses have more resources and capabilities than consumers, as they can invest in research and development, adopt new technologies, and leverage their expertise and networks. Businesses also have more incentives and opportunities to collaborate with their suppliers, customers, and partners than consumers do.
More innovation and collaboration mean more value and growth for the seller, as well as better products or services, solutions, and outcomes. It also means more engagement and trust for the customers, as they can co-create and co-deliver with the seller.
B2B e-commerce is better than B2C e-commerce for many reasons. It has a higher AOV, a longer CLV, more upselling and cross-selling, easier scaling and expanding, more control over pricing and branding, more data and insights, and more innovation and collaboration. These benefits make B2B e-commerce a lucrative and rewarding business model for both sellers and buyers.
B2B E-Commerce: A Growing Industry
Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce refers to online platforms that sell products or services to other businesses. Compared to business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce, which targets personal consumers, B2B e-commerce tends to be more complex, valuable and demanding. However, it also offers huge opportunities for growth and innovation in the digital age.
According to a report by Shopify, the B2B e-commerce market in the US accounted for $1.8 trillion in 2022, while the B2C e-commerce market reached $875 billion. This means that B2B e-commerce was more than twice the size of B2C e-commerce in terms of revenue. Moreover, the report projected that B2B e-commerce sales would reach $3.6 trillion by 2024, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5%.
Global Demand for B2B E-Commerce
The demand for B2B e-commerce is not only driven by the US market, but also by the global market. According to a report by Statista, the global B2B e-commerce sales amounted to $12.2 trillion in 2019, which was six times higher than the global B2C e-commerce sales of $3.5 trillion. The report also estimated that the global B2B e-commerce sales would grow to $20.9 trillion by 2027, representing a CAGR of 11.8%.
One of the factors that contributes to the global demand for B2B e-commerce is the increasing digitalization of businesses across various industries and regions. According to a report by Salesforce, 80% of business buyers expect consistent interactions across multiple channels, and 69% of them want personalized experiences based on their needs and preferences. Therefore, B2B e-commerce platforms need to provide seamless, omnichannel and customized solutions to meet the expectations of their customers.
Another factor that boosts the global demand for B2B e-commerce is the emergence of new markets and opportunities in developing countries. According to a report by McKinsey, the share of global GDP from emerging markets is expected to increase from 56% in 2010 to 74% in 2025, and the share of global consumption from emerging markets is expected to increase from 32% in 2010 to 47% in 2025. This means that there will be more potential customers and suppliers for B2B e-commerce platforms in these regions.
References:
https://smallbusiness.chron.com/differences-between-b2c-b2b-business-systems-39922.html
https://www.insiderintelligence.com/content/us-b2b-ecommerce-forecast-2022-2026
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/btoc.asp
https://www.shopify.com/enterprise/b2b-vs-b2c-ecommerce
https://www.statista.com/statistics/788055/global-b2b-e-commerce-gmv/
https://www.salesforce.com/eu/blog/2021/11/b2b-vs-b2c-ecommerce-difference.html
https://www.shopify.com/b2b
https://magento.com/solutions/b2b
https://www.bigcommerce.com/solutions/b2b-ecommerce/
https://woocommerce.com/solutions/b2b/
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