5 Types of eCommerce Websites: Which One Suits Your Business?

In a world where people love shopping from the comfort of their homes, the rise of e-commerce sites has tremendously increased at a faster rate. But, what are eCommerce websites? Are you completely aware of it?

eCommerce websites refer to online platforms used by businesses to sell their offerings (products/services). It provides greater accessibility to the users to browse and shop for their favourite items without visiting their physical store.

While you wonder what is an eCommerce site and how you can kickstart your online eCommerce business, you must know that there are different types of eCommerce websites. Depending on your area of focus you can choose one. For instance, if your business aim is to target and directly sell to the customers, then you may choose a B2C eCommerce website.

Understanding and setting up an eCommerce business can be tedious initially, but once you are well-versed in understanding its different business models, functionality and design, then it will be easy for you to get ahead with your online store.

Without further ado, let’s begin with exploring the types of eCommerce websites that you can choose to build your business and start selling your offerings.

Top 5 eCommerce Websites: You Must Know

Multiple types of eCommerce websites can help you leverage your online business and enhance profits. Mentioned below are some of the most popular ones.

Business to Consumer (B2C) Websites –

This is one of the most common types of eCommerce websites that help businesses sell their products or services directly to customers. For example, if you are willing to set up your clothing or a gadget store online for your customers, then this type of website can help you build your business and boost your sales. But, what are B2C eCommerce websites and how do they function? When you look at these websites, you will be able to access features that can provide easy access and options to your target audience to shop seamlessly. These features include easy checkouts, the option to add different payment methods, mobile-friendliness, enhanced security features to protect user’s data, a shopping cart feature, CTA forms, etc. These are best suited for retailers and subscription-based service providers.

Business-to-Business (B2B) Websites –

B2B websites are mainly designed for businesses that focus on selling products and services to other businesses. For instance, companies like IndiaMart, Amazon Business etc. operate on a B2B model. Here, large orders are being placed by other businesses. Thus, the sales process is a bit complex, but these websites make it easier to get big orders easily without any hustle. Features such as custom prices and quotes, integration with CRM and ERP systems, seamless shipping integration, options to place bulk orders, advanced search and filtering ease the process from selection to order placement for both buyer and seller. These types of websites are highly suitable for manufacturers/suppliers, bulk product sellers, etc.

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) Websites –

This type of website is perfectly curated for customers who want to sell offerings to other ones. Businesses like eBay, Etsy, and Airbnb, work on a C2C business model and thus this type of website will definitely fit their requirements. Features such as multiple search criteria, user profile and history, order tracking and notifications, local pickup options, social sharing options, and mobile optimization are some of the top ones that can aid C2C-based businesses to flawlessly operate and improve these sales while cultivating and maintaining relations with the buyers.

Consumer-to-Business (C2B) Websites –

This form of the website has gained popularity in recent years with the rise in the gig economy. Here, individuals sell their services or products to businesses. These individuals are usually freelancers, influencers, content creators, photographers, videographers, etc. C2B eCommerce platforms offer features like order tracking and project management, personalized pricing, tax and invoice generation, flexible payment options, proposal and negotiation tools, service listing and bidding, etc. These features not only help individuals to effectively interact with businesses but also enhance user experience to find the right sellers and build long-term relations. Upwork and Fiverr are some of the examples of C2C websites.

Business-to-Government (B2G) Websites –

For businesses who want to sell their services to government entities, this type of website is the most suitable one. These include businesses selling technological or construction-related products, cybersecurity solutions, etc. Senseware, Archer Soft, and Mark43 are some examples of e-commerce B2G businesses. B2G websites provide features such as a self-service portal, inventory management, account management, flexible user permissions, advanced checkout, etc.

Conclusion

From understanding what eCommerce sites are to evaluating the most popular types of eCommerce websites, it is essential to first patiently understand the intricacies of the eCommerce world to build a successful eCommerce business and provide better user accessibility and experience. In case you are wondering which company can aid in turning your business into a profitable eCommerce brand, then Goyal Infotech has your back with expertise and experienced developers.