Types of e-commerce

E-commerce transactions are typically categorized based on the parties involved. The four main types are:

• Business-to-Consumer (B2C): Businesses selling directly to individual consumers. (e.g., Amazon, Zalando)
• Business-to-Business (B2B): Businesses selling to other businesses. (e.g., Alibaba, wholesale supplier websites)
• Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C): Consumers selling directly to other consumers. (e.g., eBay, Craigslist)
• Consumer-to-Business (C2B): Consumers selling their products or services to businesses. (e.g., Freelancers offering services on platforms, photographers selling photos to businesses)

Certainly. Here are examples corresponding to the main types:

• B2C: Retail websites like Amazon (selling their own goods), Target, or clothing brands selling online.
• B2B: Companies selling office supplies to businesses, software providers selling licenses to companies, or wholesale marketplaces like Alibaba. B2B e-commerce is often cited as the largest type by transaction volume globally.
• C2C: Auction sites like eBay, classifieds sites like Craigslist, or platforms for selling used goods directly between individuals.
• C2B: Websites where freelancers market their services (Upwork, Fiverr) or stock photo sites where photographers sell licenses to businesses.

Online banking involves B2C (Business-to-Consumer) transactions where a consumer interacts with a financial institution (a business). While it utilizes similar underlying technologies for secure online interactions and transactions, it's typically classified under "online services" or "financial technology (FinTech)" rather than being listed as one of the primary *types of e-commerce business models* (like B2C, B2B, etc.) that focus on the trade of goods or services.

Yes, beyond the core four (B2C, B2B, C2C, C2B), e-commerce can be categorized in other ways or include less common types:

• B2G (Business-to-Government) / C2G (Consumer-to-Government): Transactions involving government entities (e.g., paying taxes online, businesses bidding on government contracts electronically).
• G2B (Government-to-Business) / G2C (Government-to-Consumer): Government providing services or information to businesses or citizens online.
• Business Models: Distinctions can also be made based on *how* the e-commerce business operates, such as marketplaces (Amazon, eBay), subscription services (Netflix, Dollar Shave Club), direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, dropshipping, etc.
• E-commerce Platforms: This refers to the technology used to build the store (e.g., Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce), not the business model itself.

Most common discussions revolve around the B2C, B2B, C2C, and C2B classifications.