Marketing Differences B2B vs B2C
Marketing Differences Paper: B2b vs. B2c In two distinct e-commerce business types, Business-to-business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C), there are many differences in the way they operate. Specifically in marketing, differences include how the marketing is driven and the values of the strategies, the size of the target market and length of the sales cycle, and even the buying patterns of the target consumers. Each of these differences will be better defined and explained in the following paragraphs.
Drive and Strategy Values
Business-to-Business
Business-to-business companies are relationship driven. They are offering another company a product or service that the company should use to their benefit, and in order to sell this product or service, they have to build a strong, working relationship between the two businesses. B2B companies have to maximize the values of the marketing strategy: relationships and trust. In order to be successful, these two businesses must be able to trust each other, work together, and form a working relationship that will benefit both businesses in the end.
Business-to-Consumer
In contrast, B2C companies are product driven. These products have to be highly in demand to the consumer market, and in order to be successful these companies have to sell the product or service in high volumes to make a profit. Therefore, the relationship between the company and the consumer is not nearly as maintained as that of a B2B company. The value of this marketing strategy is the transaction- as many as possible to cover the costs and make a profit. In a similar fashion, however, there is also the value of trust, as a consumer that trusts the company or the brand will often assist the company in increasing transactions (Murphy, 2008).
Target Market and Sales Cycle
Business-to-Business
In business-to-business companies, the company is seeking out a smaller, focused target market. B2B companies usually offer something to other
Drive and Strategy Values
Business-to-Business
Business-to-business companies are relationship driven. They are offering another company a product or service that the company should use to their benefit, and in order to sell this product or service, they have to build a strong, working relationship between the two businesses. B2B companies have to maximize the values of the marketing strategy: relationships and trust. In order to be successful, these two businesses must be able to trust each other, work together, and form a working relationship that will benefit both businesses in the end.
Business-to-Consumer
In contrast, B2C companies are product driven. These products have to be highly in demand to the consumer market, and in order to be successful these companies have to sell the product or service in high volumes to make a profit. Therefore, the relationship between the company and the consumer is not nearly as maintained as that of a B2B company. The value of this marketing strategy is the transaction- as many as possible to cover the costs and make a profit. In a similar fashion, however, there is also the value of trust, as a consumer that trusts the company or the brand will often assist the company in increasing transactions (Murphy, 2008).
Target Market and Sales Cycle
Business-to-Business
In business-to-business companies, the company is seeking out a smaller, focused target market. B2B companies usually offer something to other
References: MarketingProfs (2004). B2b vs. B2c Marketing. Retrieved May 21, 2008, from MarketingProfs Web site: http://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstid=1141 Murphy, D. (2008). Marketing for B2B vs. B2C- Similar but different. Retrieved May 21, 2008, from Vista Consulting Web site: http://www.vista-consulting.com/marketing-articles/b2b-b2c-marketing.htm