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Online shopping across various e-commerce sites has boomed over the last decade due to its convenience. However, did you ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes when adding a dress or book? Have you ever wondered about the mechanics behind e-commerce transactions after shopping online?

In this article we will explore the expanding world of e-commerce, an online business phenomenon that changed to global trade through digital connectivity. Let’s understand different types of e-commerce with Coders mind, a leading e-commerce and web-development company.

The Four Types of E-Commerce?

E-commerce isn’t a universal model but a multifaceted model that branches into four major types tailored to meet unique needs of different businesses in the digital economy. The four major e-commerce development types are:

B2C (Business-to-Consumer)

The most common form of e-commerce is the B2C or Business-to-Consumer business model. Some of the popular examples of these are Amazon, Flipkart, Walmart, Apple, Nykaa, Tira, and many more. Through this e-commerce model, business occurs online from businesses to consumers.

How B2C Functions

Through this mode of ecommerce, a business lists its goods and services online while consumers purchase them through digital transactions. Through e-commerce development companies like Coders mind, businesses design user-friendly websites so consumers can easily access and purchase goods and services online.

Take, for example:

• Purchasing clothes and appliances from Flipkart or Amazon 
• Opting for a streaming service via Netflix

All these fall under the B2C model in e-commerce.

B2B (Business-to-Business)

The next type of e-commerce model is B2B or Business-to-Business model, where businesses offer products and services to their businesses. While it’s true B2C gets all the attention when it comes to e-commerce development across the globe, B2B is the backbone of several industries.

How B2B Functions

Imagine you are a business owner with an appliance shop looking for bulk purchases of appliances, so you approach the main appliance manufacturer or brand to get your supplies of products. Similarly, a clothing shop owner will reach out to a manufacturer for raw materials.

Some examples of B2B ecommerce models are;

• Alibaba for retailers looking bulk purchases 
• Shopify, an e-commerce platform for merchants 
• Salesforce, a CRM and cloud solutions platform for businesses
• Oracle offering  software and database solutions for businesses
• Microsoft Azure, a cloud and infrastructure service provider for businesses

C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer)

Have you ever purchased something online and sold it for a higher price on eBay or Facebook Marketplace? This is a C2C or Consumer-to-Consumer ecommerce model where one individual buys and sells through a third-party ecommerce platform to other consumers for profits.

How C2C Functions

Suppose you list a product on sale at a higher price via. ebay that you purchased at comparatively lower cost and another consumer purchases it. Post sale a small cut of the payment goes to the third party platform like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace while you get to keep most of the profit. 

Some examples of C2C websites are:

• Facebook marketplace for local buy and sell
• eBay works as a direct sale and online auction platform for individuals 
• Etsy is an online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods

If you are looking to build a C2C ecommerce business, a user-friendly website is the backbone of your business. Coders mind, an web and e-commerce development company offering its ecommerce web development services to leading clients across the globe at competitive rates. Reach out to team Coders mind to know more about their e-commerce development stages and to get an estimate for your website.

C2B (Consumer-to-Business)

The C2B or Consumer-to-Business model flips the traditional business model. Unlike traditional businesses offering goods and services to consumers, here it’s the consumer offering skills and services to businesses. This kind of B2C model is increasingly becoming popular today with a boost in freelancing jobs and an influencer economy.

How C2B Functions

In the C2B e-commerce model, a freelancer offers companies or large businesses their skills. Take for example, an influencer or freelancer skilled at creating interactive content to boost online engagement and visibility across a target audience. So, businesses approach these individuals for their skills to boost their brand reach.

Some examples of C2B e-commerce platforms are:

• YouTube and Instagram for brand sponsored content creation
• 99designs for designers offering service to businesses 
• Upwork and Fiverr for freelance services
• Stock Photography Sites and Shutterstock for selling images to businesses
• Influencer Marketing for brands looking for target-oriented skills for greater visibility online

Conclusion

Whether you are starting an e-commerce business or expanding your business online, having an understanding of different e-commerce development stages helps you decide the best course of action. 

An e-commerce business backbone is an user-friendly e-commerce platform that streamline your business operations. As a trusted e-commerce web development company, Coders mind offers you tailored web solutions for your specific business. Reach out to us to get an estimate on your e-commerce platform development.