Understanding E-Commerce and Social Commerce
What is e-commerce, what are the different types, and how do they work? What is social commerce and what relation does it have with e-commerce?
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It includes different types such as B2C, B2B, C2C, and C2B. Social commerce is a subset of e-commerce that combines social media and online shopping.
E-Commerce Overview
Types of E-Commerce
- B2C (Business-to-Consumer): In B2C e-commerce, businesses sell products or services directly to consumers. This is the most common type of e-commerce and includes online retail stores, such as Amazon and Walmart.
- B2B (Business-to-Business): B2B e-commerce focuses on transactions between businesses. It involves the exchange of goods, services, or information between companies. Examples include wholesale trade and supply chain management.
- C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): C2C e-commerce enables consumers to sell products or services to other consumers. Online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist facilitate C2C transactions.
- C2B (Consumer-to-Business): C2B e-commerce involves consumers offering products or services to businesses. This can include freelancers offering their services to companies or individuals selling their creative work to businesses.