The main difference between B2B and B2C marketing is that in B2B marketing, the target audience is businesses, but in B2C marketing, the target audience is individual people.
We can categorize marketing into two main divisions as B2B marketing and B2C marketing based on their target audience. B2B marketing stands for business-to-business marketing, while B2C stands for business-to-consumer marketing. Due to this basic difference in the audience, there are several differences in the marketing tactics used in them.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is B2B Marketing
– Definition, Features
2. What is B2C Marketing
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between B2B and B2C Marketing
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
B2B Marketing, B2C Marketing
What is B2B Marketing
B2B marketing or business-to-business marketing is a process that involves selling products and services of one company to another. Therefore, B2B marketing targets companies or businesses. B2B marketing is generally used by businesses that manufacture steel, fabric, cement, furniture, or plastic or provide various services for other companies – for example, search engine optimization, software solutions, office supplies, or project management.
In B2B marketing, buyers’ purchase decision is based on logic, with an eye to the return on investment (ROI). Therefore, marketers have to inform the potential buyers about the product or services, its features, and its benefits.
The above image lists the information that affects the decision-making of the buyers. As seen from this figure, marketing content in B2B marketing tends to be more straightforward and informational than the content in B2C marketing.
What is B2C Marketing
B2C stands for business-to-consumer marketing. The term B2C marketing refers to strategies and tactics businesses use to promote their products and services to individual people. In simple words, B2C marketing targets individual consumers as their customers. The products that fall under B2C marketing are usually things people use in their everyday lives. For example, a cosmetic company marketing their beauty products, fashion store marketing their garments, healthcare practices advertising their services, movie-streaming platforms like Netflix adverting their services, etc. Companies like real estate agencies, car dealerships, educational institutes also use B2C marketing to entice people to purchase their products and services.
In business-to-consumer marketing, marketers always have to stay in touch with current trends and have to be knowledgeable with customer behavior predictions. This is because market changes happen overnight, and trends can change. It’s also important to monitor the marketing tricks their competitor businesses use. When compared to buyers, i.e., businesses, in B2B marketing, buyers in B2C marketing behave differently. Individual customers typically seek out goods and services based on their immediate needs. In addition, they make purchases more quickly, with less diligence. In B2C marketing, marketers generally try to trigger the emotional reactions of consumers.
Difference Between B2B and B2C Marketing
Definition
B2B marketing or business-to-business marketing is a process that involves selling products and services of one company to another, while B2C or business-to-consumer marketing that involves businesses selling products and services to individual people.
Target Audience
In B2B marketing, the target audience is businesses, but in B2C marketing, the target audience is individual people.
Purchase Decision
The purchase in B2B marketing is based on logic, whereas the purchase in B2C marketing is mainly based on emotion.
Return on Investment
In B2B marketing, the buyers consider the return on investment, but in B2C marketing, buyers don’t usually consider the ROI.
Buying Cycle
B2B buying cycle is slow as purchases are in bulk quantity and involve diligent research and decision making by many people. B2C buying is quicker as it involves less research and impulse decisions.
Conclusion
The main difference between B2B and B2C marketing is their target audience. In B2B marketing, the target audience is businesses, but in B2C marketing, the target audience is individual people. Moreover, the purchase in B2B marketing is based on logic, whereas the purchase in B2C marketing is mainly based on emotion.
Reference:
1. “B2B Marketing.” SendPulse.
2. Becker, Michael. “What Is B2C Marketing?: Definition, Challenges & Tips.” Emarsys.
3. “What Is B2C Marketing?” Optimove: Learning Center.
Image Courtesy:
1. “B2B buyer decision map” By RSArmstrong – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “B2c-business-to-customer” (CC0) via Pixabay
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