Learn more about ecommerce, including B2B, B2C, B2B and C2C models and the pros and cons of each. Get ready to choose the right e-commerce model for you.
E-commerce, also known as electronic commerce or internet commerce, is a big business. With online retail sales reaching nearly five trillion dollars worldwide in 2022, several industry analysts expect it to grow over the next few years [1]. A recent report revealed that 58.4 percent of internet users buy something online weekly [2].
E-commerce isn’t just for well-known brands. A variety of businesses, from start-ups to medium-sized companies and big multinationals, use e-commerce, taking advantage of the opportunity to sell directly to customers or corporations. Before you jump into e-commerce, you may find it helpful to understand its fundamentals and examine the pros and cons.
E-commerce is buying and selling goods via the internet and transferring money and data to complete the transactions. All stores that sell products online can be classified as e-commerce. This could be anything from a small online store on Etsy to big brand sites like Amazon and everything in between.
Technology is changing how we do business at a phenomenal pace, and e-commerce trends continue to grow and evolve. During the pandemic, brick-and-mortar businesses suffered while-commerce companies boomed. Huge names like Amazon made record sales, and statistics show that despite being able to return to the shops, online grocery shopping trends are still rising [4].
With simple tools to set up e-commerce websites and e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and eBay, anyone can set up an e-commerce store quickly.
The e-commerce business has grown exponentially over the last few years, increasing from the Covid-19 pandemic when people couldn’t go to stores in person. What started in 1994 when the first internet sale was made (a CD through a company website), now has a global reach of 12 to 24 million e-commerce stores [3].
Read more: How to Start an E-commerce Business: A Guide
E-commerce businesses typically fall into one of four main groups, depending on their customers. Additional e-commerce business models exist, but they tend cater to specialized businesses and niches. Understanding the key differences between these models can be beneficial for organizations preparing to launch an e-commerce site.
In a B2C model, the business sells directly to a consumer. If you (the customer) buy a product from a retailer like Amazon (a business), you're purchasing from a B2C company. Similarly, if you set up a Shopify store and sell directly to consumers, you use the B2C model.
The B2B model involves selling products or services from one business to another. An example would be a wholesale company selling parts to another business that uses its items. Sometimes the purchasing business buys products at a wholesale rate and sells them for a profit.
The C2B model includes individuals who sell their products or services to a business through an online format. Social media influencers and bloggers can fall under this category if they receive money from businesses to promote the brand.
C2C e-commerce models typically involve online sites that allow people to sell goods and services directly to others. An example of this might be someone selling unwanted items on eBay to someone else. Other platforms include Facebook Marketplace and Etsy.
Read more: Choosing Your Business Structure: Types and Use Cases
E-commerce has been so successful that many physical businesses now implement omnichannel sales strategies, including e-commerce sites. However, you may find it helpful to consider the challenges associated with online sales as you plan to take your business online.
Reduced operating cost: Compared to a physical store, an e-commerce store is typically cheaper to set up and operate. You can avoid spending money on costly items like building rent or a mortgage, fixtures, signs, etc.
Extended opening hours: An e-commerce store never needs to close. Customers can access the site and complete purchases anytime, even when you're not monitoring what's happening.
Larger international audience: Physical stores are limited to their location and the customers who enter. With an e-commerce store, you can sell to customers worldwide, massively expanding your market.
Increased sales conversions: The internet creates additional marketing opportunities and personalized experiences to reach customers when they're ready to buy your product. Social media, SEO, and more allow you to connect with customers actively searching for goods and services like yours and can even let them complete a purchase with a single click.
Read more: Digital Marketing: What It Is and How to Get Started
Rising advertising costs: Crowded markets in the e-commerce space have increased the need for digital marketing and increased marketing fees. These advertising costs decrease your profit.
Increased competition: With e-commerce becoming accessible and popular, there’s more competition within your target market. This includes the giants with big budgets and expert marketing teams.
Customers can't physically touch the product: Consumers who can’t try on or touch products may find it more challenging to make a choice. This can lead to an increased number of returned items. Some companies are adding augmented virtual reality to compensate, but this can increase your operating costs.
Potential site crashes: If the power goes out in a physical store, you may still be able to sell products to your customers. When an e-commerce site goes down, no one can complete a purchase.
As you evaluate your plans to offer your products or services online, you may find it helpful to consider whether it's the right option for your business. The ultimate decision to adopt e-commerce is a personal one, and these indicators can help you determine whether it’s a good option for you.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the businesses that were able to adapt and move online were more likely to survive and stay profitable. Usually, businesses that have adapted to online sales have kept online and physical sales channels alive. If you’re worried about keeping up with competitors, e-commerce may be the boost you need.
Buying and storing physical products can be costly but moving to an e-commerce business model means you can adopt the dropshipping method. With dropshipping, a third party manufactures, stores, and ships products to the customer, so you never have to handle any stock.
If you have a niche product, you may benefit from e-commerce for its wider audience t and expanded marketing opportunities. Not only can you reach an international audience, but you also can take advantage of online marketing strategies to connect with your target audience.
If you have reached a point where you’re looking to scale your business, e-commerce offers a way to make that happen. You can quickly add new lines without building a bigger store or renting new premises. If you choose a dropshipping model, you can expand without having to hold stock and set up multiple stores.
If you think e-commerce is for you, consider the course Create Your E-Commerce Store with Shopify for a step-by-step guide to setting up your first online store. If you already have an online store up and running, discover ways to market and build it through the Google Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Professional Certificate. You'll find both programs and more on Coursera.
professional certificate
This is your path to a career in digital marketing. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills that can have you job-ready in less than 6 months. No degree or experience required.
4.8
(10,077 ratings)
270,157 already enrolled
BEGINNER level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Marketing, E-Commerce, display advertising, Email Marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Customer loyalty, Marketing Analytics, Customer Outreach, Website Structure, Customer Awareness, Google, Search Engine Marketing, Social Listening, Social Media Bidding, Customer Engagement, Social Media Analytics, Social Media Branding, Email Writing, Email list segmentation, Email marketing strategy, Email marketing analytics, Contact management, Digital marketing KPIs, Spreadsheet management, Presenting to stakeholders, Media planning and strategies, Fulfillment and delivery, E-commerce platforms, E-Commerce Strategy, Seasonality, Job preparedness, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Portfolio preparation, E-commerce store optimization, Building customer loyalty
guided project
In this 1-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to create an online e-commerce store with Shopify, edit your web store front and manage orders, ...
4.6
(233 ratings)
16,314 already enrolled
BEGINNER level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Business, E-Commerce, Marketing, shopify
Ecommerce Guide. “Ecommerce Statistics for Retailers and Online Shopping in 2022, https://ecommerceguide.com/ecommerce-statistics/.” Accessed September 2, 2022.
DataReportal. “Digital 2022: Global Overview, https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-global-overview-report.” Accessed September 2, 2022.
Digital In The Round. “How Many Online Stores Are There?, https://digitalintheround.com/how-many-online-stores-are-there/.” Accessed September 2, 2022.
Mercatus. “Understanding The Drivers Of eGrocery Success, https://info.mercatus.com/online-grocery-shopper-consumer-behavior.” Accessed September 2, 2022.
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.