Types of E-Commerce

E-Commerce, or electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet. It can be categorized into several types based on the nature of transactions and the parties involved.

There are several types of e-commerce based on the nature of the transactions and the parties involved. This tutorial will outline different types of e-commerce.

The main types are as follows:

• B2C (Business to Consumer)
• B2B (Business to Business)
• C2C (Consumer to Consumer)
• C2B (Consumer to Business)
• Business to Government (B2G)
• Government to Business (G2B)

 

Business to Business (B2B)

B2B e-commerce involves transactions between businesses. Companies sell products or services to other companies. Examples include wholesale suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors selling to retailers or other businesses. It describes commerce transactions between businesses, such as between a manufacturer and a wholesaler or between a wholesaler and a retailer.

Example: IndiaMART, Alibaba

Business to Consumer (B2C)

B2C e-commerce involves businesses selling products and services directly to individual or end consumers. It is the most common form of e-commerce where individuals purchase products from online retailers.

Example: Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra

Consumer to Consumer (C2C)

Consumer-to-consumer involves transactions between individual consumers. Online platforms provide a marketplace for individuals to buy and sell directly to each other. C2C e-commerce allows consumers to sell directly to other consumers through online platforms that facilitate the transaction.

Example: OLX, eBay, Facebook Marketplace

Consumer to Business (C2B)

In C2B e-commerce, individuals offer products or services to businesses. It is common in freelance platforms where professionals offer their services to companies.

Example: Upwork, Freelancer

Business to Government (B2G)

B2G e-commerce involves businesses providing goods or services to government agencies, often through formal bidding or contract processes.

Example: Government e-Marketplace (GeM), NIC e-procurement platform

Government to Business (G2B)

G2B e-commerce involves government organizations providing services or information to businesses through digital platforms.

Example: Tax filing portals, licensing services

Government to Citizen (G2C)

G2C e-commerce involves the government providing services or information directly to citizens via online platforms.

Example: Online bill payments, Aadhaar services, PAN card applications