The terms “online retail” and “eCommerce” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same. Although they both refer to the practice of selling products online, eCommerce includes a variety of additional services for merchants, such as digital marketing or SEO optimization. In most cases, eCommerce refers to a type of online platform or agency that helps retailers create their own marketplaces, such as Amazon or Shopify.
There isn’t a definitive, clear-cut line between online retail and eCommerce because so many online retailers may also rely on eCommerce services to reach more customers. However, this quick guide should help you understand:
- The different types of eCommerce
- The benefits of eCommerce vs online retail
- How to create your own eCommerce site
Let’s get started!
Common eCommerce Models
Digital marketers seem to disagree about how many different types of eCommerce business models exist today, so we’ll just focus on the most popular types. If you’re shopping for yourself or your family, you’ll probably interact with B2C (Business to Consumer) or D2C (Direct to Consumer) companies. If you’re purchasing items for your company, you’re most likely going to find a B2B (Business to Business) merchant for your needs.
The definitions for each eCommerce model are fairly straightforward:
- B2C: With this model, a single business sells its products directly to its customers. This is the most commonly used type of eCommerce since it can be used to sell anything from everyday goods to luxury items to digital services. Some B2C sellers, such as Amazon, might allow third-party sellers to use their platform in exchange for a fee, or purchase and resell items from other brands.
- D2C: This eCommerce model is known for its cost-effectiveness and efficiency because, unlike the B2C type, D2C companies don’t require a middleman to sell their products. D2C brands develop their own products and sell them directly to their customers, often entirely online. The mattress brand Casper is one great example of this eCommerce type.
- B2B: This eCommerce model is similar to B2C, except it’s specifically used for business transactions. If a company needs to purchase a large quantity of office supplies, for example, they’ll seek out a B2B company. These brands also have more customized user experiences, including customer-specific profiles and special discounts for buying items in bulk.
Key Benefits of eCommerce
Jumping straight into the world of eCommerce can be intimidating if you’re unfamiliar with the technology, or even the weird lingo that digital marketers use. But don’t let the intimidation make you feel like you can’t take your physical retail store online! eCommerce offers so many benefits and perks that your brick and mortar store simply can’t compete with, such as:
- Being open 24/7. Your online store is never closed, allowing you to reach more customers whenever it’s most convenient for them.
- Reducing standard business costs. Selling your products online can actually save you money since processes like checkout and inventory management are managed automatically. Furthermore, some retailers might choose to sell entirely online and eliminate the need for a physical store.
- Providing more information for customers. A well-designed product page or an informative FAQ section on your eCommerce website can give a customer all the information they need in order to make a purchase. Customers value transparency from the brands they interact with, and eCommerce platforms make it easy for merchants to share their mission statements, core values, and other commitments.
- Reaching a greater audience. eCommerce makes it possible for small businesses to expand their reach in ways that are impossible to achieve through traditional retail alone. If you want to grow your business and maintain that growth for years to come, eCommerce is an absolute must!
How to Launch Your eCommerce Site
Using an eCommerce platform like BigCommerce or Shopify will give you step-by-step instructions for designing your site, uploading your products, adding photos, and all the other essential things your online store will need. Even if you’re not super tech-savvy, both of these options are pretty beginner-friendly and don’t require you to code anything yourself. They even offer pre-made templates to get your site up and running in no time.
If you already manage a small business, most of the hard work is already finished. You already have inventory, a business name, a logo, and a good understanding of your competitors. Adding an online destination for your customers is just the next step in maintaining your successful brand.
Conclusion
One of the most time consuming business tasks is writing, and you’ll have to do a lot of it if you plan to start selling online. You’ll need product descriptions, FAQ pages, social media content, blog posts, and more to make sure your target audience will connect with your brand. Luckily, you don’t need to do it all on your own.
Reach out to Content Cucumber to connect with a professional writer and get a free 400-word trial article today!
