Generally, there are seven main models of ecommerce that businesses can be categorized into:
- B2C.
- B2B.
- C2C.
- D2C.
- C2B.
- B2A.
- C2A.
Let’s review each type of electronic commerce in a bit more detail.
1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C).
B2C ecommerce encompasses transactions made between a business and a consumer. B2C is one of the most popular sales models in the ecommerce context. For example, when you buy shoes from an online retailer, it’s a business-to-consumer ecommerce transaction.
2. Business-to-Business (B2B).
Unlike B2C, B2B ecommerce encompasses sales made between businesses, such as a manufacturer and a wholesaler or retailer. B2B is not consumer-facing and happens only between businesses.
3. Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C).
One of the earliest forms of ecommerce, consumer-to-customer ecommerce relates to the sale of products or services between customers. This includes C2C selling relationships, such as those seen on eBay or Amazon.
4. Direct-to-Consumer (D2C).
A newer model of ecommerce, D2C refers to a business that sells products directly to the end customer instead of going through a retailer, distributor or wholesaler.
One common example of D2C ecommerce is a subscription-based brand such as Netflix or Dollar Shave Club.
5. Consumer-to-Business (C2B).
C2B reverses the traditional retail model, meaning individual consumers make their products or services available for business buyers.
One example of a C2B ecommerce business is iStock, an online store where stock photos are available for purchase directly from different photographers.
6. Business-to-Administration (B2A).
B2A covers the transactions made between online businesses and administrations. An example would be the products and services related to legal documents, social security, etc.
7. Consumer-to-Administration (C2A).
C2A is similar to B2A, but instead, consumers sell products or services to an administration. C2A can include online consulting for education, online tax preparation, etc.
Examples of Ecommerce
Of course, to run an ecommerce business, you have to have something to sell.
But unlike brick-and-mortar businesses, ecommerce retail can take on a number of forms, with transactions involving a variety of products and services.
Let’s dive into three examples of what you can sell online:
Sell physical goods.
Think of your favorite clothing, home decor or electronics brand — these are all prime examples of selling physical goods online.
Physical goods are any tangible products that can be bought and sold in-store or online. Most often, these types of ecommerce businesses will be either B2C or D2C brands, but even some B2B vendors are also in the physical goods category.
Sell digital goods.
Whether you’re a seasoned online merchant or an aspiring entrepreneur, digital products are a promising avenue for selling online.
Digital products can come in the form of digital files such as templates and tools or online classes, or they can be downloadable products such as printable artwork, music or infographics.
Sell services.
Selling services entails offering a specialized service, such as freelance writing, influencer marketing or online coaching in exchange for compensation.
Many service-based businesses are B2B, however some B2C brands, such as Fiverr, offer online services as well.
