What are the Three Types Of Ecommerce?

The three major types of e-commerce include B2C, B2B, and C2C e-commerce. It's important to get the necessary information about the three major types of e-commerce. So, you can also identify your relevant market to pursue your business activities.

Three major types of eCommerce

Three major types of eCommerce stand for:

Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

Business-to-Business (B2B)

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

Let's explore each type of e-commerce to understand it thoroughly.

Business-to-Consumer (B2C)

Business-to-consumer e-commerce means an online business selling products directly to the end consumers. End consumers are the ones who buy and use the products instead of reselling them.

Well, the number of consumers worldwide is obviously more than that of resellers. So, B2C is the most widely used type of e-commerce.

Examples

Amazon, Alibaba, Spotify, Walmart, and eBay are some examples of B2C e-commerce. These platforms are used to sell products to end consumers.

Business-to-Business (B2B)

B2B is also a widespread type of e-commerce business. People buy products from an online business to resell them, maybe to the end consumers. Business-to-business activities are done the same as B2C. However, Business owners usually buy products in bulk to resell them.

The products move from one business to another, called business-to-business e-commerce. Business owners often purchase products from the same vendor to resell them. Mostly, there are more long-term business relations in the B2B business model.

Examples

Amazon business

is an excellent example of B2B eCommerce. Businesses buy products in bulk from amazon business to resell them.

Alibaba

also offers products to consumers and businesses. This platform offers special discounts and deals for resellers.

OverDrive

provides ebooks and audiobooks to many libraries, publishers, and schools.

Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)

Consumer-to-consumer e-commerce refers to two individuals' online selling and buying products and services. C2C sellers are not usually business owners but occasionally sell products to others.

We have yet to see bulk selling in C2C e-commerce. Both parties usually use different online platforms to communicate, negotiate, make deals, and send and receive payments.

Examples

Olx

is a perfect example of C2C e-commerce. People use Olx to sell their second-hand or new items to consumers.

People also use

Facebook

and

Instagram

for C2C e-commerce. Facebook also gives you the option to list your products for selling purposes.

Choosing Your Type of Ecommerce

You have to adopt a particular approach before starting your online business. You first have to start with a single type of eCommerce. Later on, you can be a part of several types of e-commerce activities.

Here is the list of things you have to consider before choosing your type of eCommerce:

What are you offering to your buyers?

Who is your supplier?

Who is your target audience?

B2B, B2C, and C2C: Detailed Examples

B2C in Action: A consumer visits Amazon, adds a book to the cart, and checks out. The transaction is simple and immediate. Marketing focuses on emotions, convenience, and impulse buying. Delivery expectations are fast—often same-day or next-day.

B2B in Action: A restaurant manager orders ingredients from a wholesale supplier through a portal. Orders are recurring, in bulk, and may involve negotiated pricing, purchase orders, and net-30 payment terms. Relationships are long-term; switching costs are higher.

C2C in Action: A parent sells a used stroller on Facebook Marketplace. The buyer pays via Venmo. No business entity is involved—just two individuals. Platforms typically charge listing fees or take a percentage of the sale.

Comparison Table

| Factor | B2C | B2B | C2C | |--------|-----|-----|-----| | Buyer | Individual consumer | Business or organization | Individual | | Purchase size | Small, single items | Large, bulk orders | Variable, often single | | Sales cycle | Short (minutes to days) | Long (weeks to months) | Short | | Relationship | Transactional | Relationship-driven | Transactional | | Pricing | Fixed, transparent | Negotiated, tiered | Set by seller | | Marketing | Emotional, broad reach | Rational, targeted | Peer trust, reviews | | Examples | Amazon, Spotify, Walmart | Alibaba Business, Salesforce | eBay, Facebook Marketplace |

Emerging E-Commerce Models

Direct-to-Consumer (D2C): Brands sell directly to consumers, bypassing retailers. Warby Parker, Glossier, and many startups use D2C to control branding, margins, and customer data.

Subscription E-Commerce: Recurring deliveries of products. Dollar Shave Club, HelloFresh, and meal kits are examples. Predictable revenue and higher lifetime value make this model attractive.

Marketplace Hybrids: Platforms like Amazon and Walmart combine B2C (first-party) with C2C/B2B (third-party sellers). This blurs traditional category lines.

Choosing the right model depends on your products, audience, and resources. Our e-commerce development team can help you build a solution tailored to your chosen model.

Actionable Advice: Start with one primary model and validate demand before expanding. A B2C brand might test a subscription tier; a B2B supplier might add a self-serve portal for smaller buyers. Track unit economics and customer feedback to decide when to add new channels. Many successful businesses blend models over time—Amazon started B2C and later added B2B and marketplace elements. Your platform choice (Shopify, WooCommerce, custom) should support your primary model with room to evolve.

Platform Considerations: B2C typically needs strong product catalogs, cart and checkout flows, and marketing integrations. B2B often requires quote workflows, bulk ordering, and integration with ERP or procurement systems. C2C marketplaces need seller onboarding, payment escrow, ratings, and dispute resolution. Evaluating these needs early helps you choose between out-of-the-box platforms and custom builds. Our e-commerce development team specializes in both—we can recommend and implement the right approach for your business type and scale. Payment integration, order management, and customer experience should align with your chosen model. Partner with an e-commerce development team that has experience across B2C, B2B, and C2C to advise on the best path for your business. The right platform scales with growth while keeping costs manageable. Analyze your target buyers and order patterns before committing to a model. Each type requires different marketing, logistics, and support—plan accordingly. Our e-commerce development team can guide you through the selection and implementation process. The right model and platform set the foundation for growth—choose carefully based on your products, customers, and long-term goals. Our e-commerce development team offers expertise across B2C, B2B, and C2C to help you build the right solution for your business model and target market. Reach out to discuss your e-commerce strategy and development needs. We help businesses of all sizes build and scale their online presence across all e-commerce models, platforms, and scales.

Final Thoughts

Different types of e-commerce have different dimensions. To do an online business, analyze your target marketplace and the products you want to sell. Then, select a business model according to your areas of interest.