B2C Marketing - Business to Customer Marketing

Global_B2B by Global_B2B
Last updated: 12/26/2011

B2C - Business to Customer Marketing

B2C Marketing - Business To Customer Marketing

 

The Internet Marketing industry has two major branches: B2B Marketing and B2C Marketing. B2B stands for "Business to Business" and B2C describes "Business to Customer" type of business activities. Not too long ago new business terms have surfaced in the business industry. These are: G2C (Government to Citizen), G2B (Government to Business), C2B (Consumer to Business), B2E (Business to Employees) and B2G (Business to Government).

 

B2C, in other words "Business-to-Consumer" or "Business-to-Customer" is relevant to any industry or business association that markets its goods created to customers using the Internet for personal use.

B2C eCommerce

A B2C site is a classic ecommerce webpage that sells its merchandise or service to its consumer base. Yet there are a few deviations from the standard such as a "lead generation" website. At this point the B2C marketplace website is primarily collecting visitor information. The prospect or customer is induced to fill out a regular online-form. Lots of websites are drawn in trading such data to different suppliers who are in the business of supplying the needed merchandise or service.

Just for the fact the individual who is filling out the online-form is actually opting-in, so sending communication to him/her would not be believed to be spam. The opt-in individual is considered a new client, as such lead creation websites can also be taken as B2C. In many cases they become B2B.

The B2C type of web entities can be:

1. traditional ecommerce websites or

2. businesses, enterprises or organizations trying to interact with the client base.


Take for example a bank institution facilitating a client to login and check out the balance in his/her account or possibly transfer some money. All these moves lead into the area of B2C marketing. Not convinced yet? Here are a few new illustrations of some of the most prevalent ecommerce websites: Ebay, Amazon or Yahoo Stores - these are classic B2C websites.

Did you know that a good number of long-established gigantic enterprises are now heading towards B2C marketing? Why they would do that? - you might ask. Well, because they recognized that the consumer base is shifting to the Internet. One simple example: Dell Corporation allows visitors to their website to put together their own computers! Now, how cool is that? Only with this simple move or strategy this particular company has engaged in B2C marketing.

What Is Distinctive About B2C Marketing?

B2C marketing is considered unique for the simple reason that the industry is able to strike geographical barriers and achieve worldwide audience. In addition, businesses are able to get to the client base straightforwardly and slash intermediary distributors when the product needs to be distributed using long-established ways. B2C marketing also permits companies to cut costs.

B2C marketing permits most businesses liberty and autonomy. The result is that even an undersized home based enterprise is given the chance to go up against bigger retailers. This can be achieved for the reason that the costs implicated in online B2C marketing is not as much as in conventional marketing.

Let's say you a small retailer and you're promoting computers using the Internet. Because you are a "small fish in a big pond" it is exceptionally hard for you to establish a marketplace in a conventional way. In case you are wondering why, well the reason is that you are competing with deep pocket, big brand companies. They run hundreds if not thousands of ads online, in newspapers, radio or TV. But don't get too sad yet! Here comes B2C marketing to your rescue. B2C marketing provides each seller a superior chance to prove themselves in the marketplace. Well more or less!

B2C marketing is not going away soon, so ultimately businesses are determined to adjust the way they reach out to their client base.



photo courtesy of Fosforix

Difference Between B2C & B2B Marketing

B2C
* Manufactured goods driven
* Capitalize on the significance of the business deal
* Targets: huge market and customer base
* Very short transaction sequence
* Brand personality is created via replication
* Emotional purchasing decision is based on class, aspiration, or cost

B2B
* Connection driven
* Makes best use of the significance of the relationship
* Targets: small, alert customer base
* Long transaction sequence
* Brand personality is based on individual connections
* Lucid purchasing decision based on business importance

Customer Service is the New Marketing!

The foundation of all successful business is great customer service!

Customer satisfaction should be the basis and foundation for all business to consumer marketing. Clients who are very pleased with their shopping experience will no doubt seriously consider returning to make another purchase from your business.

That happy customer more than likely won't resent you contacting them with more offers or telling them of a sale going on. As long as it's not over done, they will be happy to know of your new products, services or sales!

They appreciated your well done website where they could easily search for and find what they were looking for. If you have a bricks-and-mortar store they were probably thrilled to find just the right item at the right price. But, they'll come away with remembering how they were treated by your staff also.

Attentive employees answering customer's questions accurately with a pleasant demeanor means a repeat visit from that customer and the chance of another purchase.

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Customer Specials

Arrange a "Special" just for your current clients. Offering a deep discount for people who have already purchased from you makes the customer feel like they're part of an exclusive club. Of course you have to let the customer know that the special is just for those who have already bought from you.

That method is more likely to result in customer loyalty with repeat visits and additional sales.

Treat your customers right every time and they'll think of your first when making their next purchase.

Successful Businesses Rely On Repeat Customers

B2C marketing done right can result in a lifelong customer who refers others to your business for even more profit. All lasting successful businesses are based on repeat customers. Training your employees about how to take the best care of your customers is vital. Outside of your inventory or service, your staff IS your business to new customers. They will judge your business by the way they were treated, especially if they had a problem or special request.

Your business may rise or fall based solely on how your staff treats your customers. A well trained and polite employee is a fantastic and memorable ambassador for your business!

Business Quote Of The Day

"Business is a combination of war and sport."
-Andre Maurois-

Do You Practice B2C Marketing?

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  • Reply
    Jack Willer Nov 17, 2011 @ 4:53 am | delete
    The internet has evolved the world tremendously in information delivery as well as business availability. Things that can only be done within certain places in a certain shop or location can now be stretch to a new market. This market is known as the internet. With the internet, business will no longer have the limit of location because the internet can have your shop shown to anyone across the world with just a click of the mouse. Therefore, more and more people are turning their aim and try out making money from the internet.
    home budget software
  • Reply
    Bretley Wilson Nov 16, 2011 @ 12:46 am | delete
    Marketing is marketing whichever way it is done - well that's what most people think but, business to business and business to consumer marketing are two entirely different ways of marketing, and must both be approached with different criteria. B2C is all about building relationships directly with consumers.
    marketing company
  • Reply
    Danny Nov 3, 2011 @ 1:43 am | delete
    The second most valuable internet marketing tip was as follows:- The one thing that most newcomers to internet marketing want the MOST is what they need the LEAST. Most are actively looking for a new marketing tactic or tool or maybe fast track internet marketing courses that promise to turn you into a guru overnight. Most are opportunity seekers who are looking for the "quick route" to making a lot of money online. Most, in fact about 97% will fail.
    brand positioning
  • Reply
    Wendy Oliver Oct 3, 2011 @ 7:03 am | delete
    Many clear distinctions can be found between B2B (business to business) and B2C (business to consumer) marketing. The two categories employ similar marketing programs such as direct marketing, internet marketing, and advertising and public relations. But they differ in what these programs say, in the execution of these programs and the result of the marketing activities. Both B2B and the B2C employ the same initial steps in developing a marketing strategy. From the point where you spot who the customer is and why they want to hear your message, the marketing activities diverge.
    online marketing specialist
  • Reply
    suvam123 Oct 3, 2011 @ 6:28 am | delete
    Wow, I checked it out and I am very impressed! You're right, the site looks genuine. And the information is great. I've compared with the websites of the actual insurance company and I get more or less the same thing, so that's a good sign.
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My name is Levente Szfarli. I am a Certified Project Manager - specialized in web project management an also an Online Marketing Consultant. I joint venture... more »

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