You’ve got a fabulous idea for a new business but are unsure about which business model you should work with. We take a look at B2B vs B2C to help you decide if selling to customers is right for you, or you’d prefer to sell directly to other businesses instead.
What Are the Differences in Selling B2B vs B2C?
You are in business to sell your products or services and make a profit. You’ve got two choices when doing so: sell to the consumers who are the general public or sell to other businesses who will either resell your products or use them to make their products.
Depending on the products you sell, this decision may already have been taken away from you. For instance, if you sell pulp for papermaking, you are most likely going to sell to another business who can turn that pulp into paper. If you sell baby clothes though, you’re probably going to sell directly to your customers.
Let’s take a look at the main differences between both of these business models.
B2B or Business to Business model:
- selling your product or service directly to another business
- often requires large product quantities delivered on a set date
- requires a long-term relationship between you and your buyers
- involves more people in the buying decision and process
- possibly selling your product at a lower price than a consumer would pay for it
- less of a lead pool to grow to purchase your product or service
- requires in-depth knowledge about and sharing of your product or service
- a more complex and involved selling process
- payments are often received a month or later after product/service delivery
B2C or Business to Consumer model:
- selling product or service directly to individual customers
- wide lead pool to target and sell to
- top price for your product/service paid by the customer
- small quantities sold at a time
- fewer people involved in the buying process
- short relationship with customers
- customers interested in benefit to themselves
- instant payment upon purchase
- easier to sell to individual customers than large corporations
As to which path your business should take, it comes down to whether it would work for what you sell and if you are happy to sell that way. Remember though, that both business models will still require the standard business considerations: a website, good bookkeeping and financial management, a business plan, cashflow management and outsourcing. The good news is, we can help you with all of those! Get in touch with our team today to arrange a chat about your business and how we can help.