The strategies that are used in Business to Business are to add revenue from the use of the internet, build and strengthen relationships, and improve efficiency. Dell has utilized their B2B transactions by collaborating and sharing information with their suppliers as well as purchasing all the necessary components and parts that they need to complete the end result of their finished product. This also serves as a cost saving measure for the company and their suppliers. This allows Dell to order any supplies that they may need in a matter of minutes and allows the supplier to ship Dell the supplies they will need in a much faster fashion.
Business to Consumer
Business to Consumer or e-tailing is a part of e-commerce that focuses on the consumer purchasing products or services from the merchant’s website. It is similar to purchasing through a catalog. Consumers can choose what they want to buy and place it in the shopping cart so they can continue to shop. When they are ready to make the purchase, they can go to the shopping cart to view all of their items and finalize the purchase. There are a few different types of Business to Consumer models and they are mail order retailers that go online, direct marketing from manufacturers, pure-play e-tailors, click and mortar retailers, and internet malls. All of these models advertise either directly to the consumer or on the internet. This allows them to reach a much larger audience of potential customers. Operating online allows for each retailer to cut down on overhead when operating on the internet. Target which is a click and mortar retailer will show you when browsing their products what most people purchased and also based on what you have looked at, will give you recommendations. Another popular trend that is found on many websites is customer reviews. This gives the consumer a chance to read what other consumers have said about a product or products that they are interested in.
Consumer to Consumer
Consumer to consumer is defined as the transaction between two individuals and not businesses. These types of transactions can happen from a classified ad or online auction like eBay. This allows people all over the world to buy and sell items that are either on an auction site or on a classified ad where your exposure is greatly increased without an additional cost. Because when you are buying from an online auction site or an item from a classified ad, there are risks involved such as receiving payment. Most people have a PayPal account which allows you to pay for an item and it guarantees the person you are buying from will get paid. If there is a dispute over an item purchased, websites like eBay offers mediation to help settle any problems that may have occurred from a purchase.
Mobile Commerce
Mobile commerce or m-commerce is defined as the any business activity conducted over a wireless telecommunications network. The use of smart phones and PDA’s has created an opportunity to provide new services and to existing customers and also attract new ones. Business folks have the ability to read and reply to email, download attachments, create and send documents from their smart phones. This has changed how business is conducted because information can be viewed and arrangements can be made on the spot in minutes. This also gives the ability to shop anywhere and anytime from your phone. The introduction of apps for devices such as the iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, and other devices has opened the door for companies to advertise and sell products from a cell phone. EBay has an application that you can download to your cell phone which allows you to buy and sell from their mobile app. There is also a PayPal app that can be downloaded to pay for items. Mobile apps have become very popular and many companies have created their own apps where consumers can make purchases from their smart phones.
References
E. Turban, D. King, D. Viehland, and J. Lee. Electronic Commerce: A Managerial Perspective (2006 ed.) Pearson/Prentice Hall , 2006 Upper Saddle River, NJ
