What are the differences between B2B and business-to-consumer e-commerce?
There’s the obvious difference in who the customers are companies or individuals. Beyond that, there are two big distinctions: B2B efforts require negotiation Selling to another business involves haggling over prices, delivery and product specifications. Not so with most consumer sales. That makes it easier for retailers to put a catalog online, and it’s why the first B2B applications were for buying finished goods or commodities that are simple to describe and price. and integration. Retailers don’t have to integrate with their consumer customers’ systems. Most companies selling to businesses do integrate because their systems have to be able to communicate with those of their customers without human intervention. What are the benefits? B2B e-commerce can save or make your company money. Some ways companies have benefited from B2B e-commerce include: • Managing inventory more efficiently • Adjusting more quickly to customer demand • Getting products to market faster • Cutting the cost
