The difference between B2B and B2C

Companies all focus on a different target group and a different industry. One company focuses on other companies, and other companies focus on consumers. When a company targets other companies, we call this B2B (Business to Business). When a company targets consumers, this is called B2C (Business to Consumer). We would like to tell you more about the differences between B2B and B2C.

What is B2B?

B2B, then, stands for Business to Business. This refers to companies that supply products or services to other companies: transactions between two companies. So a B2B company does business with other companies and not with consumers. B2B companies often offer different products or services. When it comes to products, you can think of office supplies, furniture, cleaning supplies, as well as raw materials and retail products, for example. When it comes to business services, B2B can include, for example, cleaners who clean the office building, as well as marketing agencies or accounting firms.

B2B companies focus on the business market. They provide services or products that contribute to other companies. This can, for example, increase sales for other companies or reduce costs. In many cases, therefore, trade between the two companies adds value to a company's product or service.

What is B2C?

So while B2B companies focus on the business market, B2C companies focus on consumers. So it's about the trade between the company and the consumer. Examples of B2C are supermarkets, bookstores or furniture shops, but also streaming services or carwashes. The way B2B and B2C communicate is different. Before we go further into the differences between the two types, we'll tell you more about the goals of B2B marketing.

Goals of B2B marketing

Nowadays, consumers buy many products online just as easily as in a normal shop. Within Business 2 Business this often works differently. It takes a lot more than that to make a business customer loyal to your organisation. B2B therefore has various objectives. These objectives precede the ultimate goal:

Lead generation: This is the generation of contact data of potential customers. These potential customers can then be targeted.
Customer profiles: This is used to identify the needs of the customer. This makes it possible to optimally respond to these needs.
Lead nurturing: This involves keeping leads warm and creating them.

Inbound marketing: With inbound marketing, you ensure that customers want to be connected to your business. You want customers to come to you, instead of you having to fight for their attention. Inbound marketing is often used for lead generation.

The differences between B2B and B2C

There are both differences and similarities between B2B and B2C. The differences are so strong that they require a different approach. The differences are as follows:
In B2B, the focus is often on the decision maker and not on the end user. This is the case with B2C. In B2B there are therefore several stakeholders when purchasing a service or product. The products or services of B2B are often more expensive or have a greater impact on the turnover of the company that wants to use the product or service.

The purchase processes between B2B and B2C are very different. In B2B, the purchase of a product or service is often seen as an investment. The decision-making process is therefore often more rational than with B2C. In B2C, the main focus is on the desire and emotion of the customer.

The contact moments in B2B are often higher than in B2C. This is because the purchasing processes are often more important for companies than for consumers. Personality and trust play a major role here.
With B2C, price is very important. Is a product cheaper elsewhere? Then there is a good chance that the consumer will choose the product with the lower price. This is not the case in B2B. Here, the focus is more on ROI (Return On Investment).

Convins helps you with B2B marketing

Are you looking for more customers and more turnover? By using telemarketing, we ensure a continuous flow of leads and this gives a boost to your sales results. Convins is the largest telemarketing agency in the Netherlands that specialises in B2B. Would you like more information about this? Then get in touch with us!