{"id":18577,"date":"2026-10-26T09:17:03","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T09:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=18577"},"modified":"2026-10-26T09:17:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T09:17:30","slug":"types-of-ecommerce-for-smb-and-startup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/in\/blog\/types-of-ecommerce-for-smb-and-startup\/","title":{"rendered":"7+ Ecommerce Types All Businesses Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that there are seven different types of ecommerce? Yes! And, each one means something different to every small and medium business (SMB)<\/a> owner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re trying to find the right ecommerce type for you, or your expanding your ecommerce business<\/a>, you’ll discover most transactions fall into one of these seven types. Depending on what your business sells and how your products are marketed, you can find the right type of ecommerce that will be the best fit for you. We\u2019ll cover the seven different types of commerce for small business, along with benefits and trends for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is ecommerce for small business anyway?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ecommerce<\/a>, short for electronic commerce, is the process of buying and selling goods and services online. It allows you to reach more customers, lower costs, increase efficiency, and offer a seamless shopping experience. Whether you\u2019re launching your first online store or expanding an existing business, ecommerce gives you the flexibility to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can sell through your website, third-party marketplaces, social media platforms, or mobile apps. With AI-powered tools, like AI CRM<\/a>, you can automate marketing<\/a>, personalise shopping experiences, improve customer interactions, and optimise inventory. The right ecommerce model<\/a> can help you scale efficiently. In the next section, we\u2019ll explore the different types of ecommerce and how each one can support your business growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven types of ecommerce for growing businesses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are seven common types of ecommerce interactions. They describe the directional sale of goods or services among businesses (B), consumers (C), and government agencies (G). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common types of ecommerce business are business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B). While these are often positioned as opposites \u2014 B2B vs. B2C<\/a> \u2014 they share a similar focus on customer satisfaction and generating loyalty over time. They simply speak to different audiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B2C transactions make up hundreds of thousands of online marketplaces that sell a wealth of consumer goods that can often be delivered in days or even hours. B2B transactions, on the other hand, are simply a digital form of business interactions that have been going on for decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Business-to-consumer (B2C) <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Business-to-consumer (B2C)<\/a> ecommerce businesses sell goods and services online directly to consumers. Products may be produced and sold by the business or purchased from other suppliers and resold to consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online marketplaces are the most familiar example of B2C operations. These businesses offer a variety of products from different brands that can be purchased and shipped directly to customers. Some B2C businesses offer free shipping over a certain dollar value, and others offer memberships that include faster delivery options. In this model, both the B2C seller and the business that manufactured the product each receive a portion of the sales price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecommerce storefronts<\/a> may also be maintained by first-party retailers. For example, a clothing line might choose to build an ecommerce website<\/a> that only sells its brand of apparel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips for B2C success<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

B2C success depends on capturing consumer interest, driving sales conversion, and keeping customers coming back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To capture interest, companies need to connect with consumers on the platforms of their choice. For example, B2C brands might promote their products on social media platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sales conversion requires a combination of price and positioning. Products should be priced competitively, and ecommerce platforms should showcase products in an easily accessible format. Product quality and performance can keep customers coming back. According to the Salesforce Connected Shopper Report, 74% of shoppers say it takes no more than three bad experiences for them to abandon a brand<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B2C might be right for you if…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n