What is B2C
The term “B2C” stands for “Business-To-Consumers”. This is the approach taken by companies that sell their goods or provide services directly to end consumers, using e-business solutions.
For example, a bookseller may offer online purchases of books to anyone who visits their web-site. The potential buyer can read a review of the book he/she is interested in, view the cover design, and check out the pricing before purchasing it online through the use of a credit card or other payment means. The purchased book may then be delivered to his/her doorstep.
Please click on diagram 1 below to view a basic B2C set up.
(View diagram 1: "A Basic Business-To-Consumer (B2C) e-Business Setup")
Examples of B2C operations include the following. Please click on them to get a feel of typical B2C e-business sites:
- MPH Online.com (Books and Stationery)
http://www.mphonline.com
- Discvault (CDs and music)
http://www.discvault.com
- iShop (Miscelleneous items)
http://www.ishop.singnet.com.sg
- eBay (Auction site)
http://www.ebay.com
- Buy-It-Online (Auction site)
http://www.buyitonline.com
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Key Points
• B2C means "Business-To-Consumers", where businesses sell goods and services directly to the end consumers.
• With a good business plan and implementation strategy, most goods and services can be sold online.
• The five most popular items purchased online at present are : books, CDs, airline tickets, clothing, and computer software.
• A key barrier to B2C growth is the lack of buyer experience. Buyers cannot taste, feel, or smell the product before making a purchase decision.
• Statistics suggest that pure dot-com sales may be reaching a plateau.
• However "click-and-mortar" companies, i.e. companies with traditional and e-business channels, may continue to enjoy high sales
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