Choosing an ecommerce agency is no different than choosing any other type of vendor. You want an agency that delivers on its promises. You want one more than capable of doing the job. You expect that the agency you choose will possess the skill, knowledge, and resources to meet your needs. But consider this: not all ecommerce is the same.
Just as there are different types of digital marketing – think SEO, PPC marketing, email marketing, digital marketing, etc. – there are also different types of ecommerce. So choosing an ecommerce agency wisely means finding one that specializes in your particular type of ecommerce.
It Started With a Simple CD
Ecommerce has been around long enough that most people just take it for granted. More importantly, we now have an entire generation of people who have never known a world without it. So as older generations pass on and their younger counterparts grow older, ecommerce is going to play an even bigger role in determining how, where, and when people buy things.
It’s a lot to take in when you consider that it all started with a simple CD. Back in the 1990s, two friends completed the private sale of a CD on a retail website known as NetMarket. That is where it all began. Now we have giant online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, marketplaces that face competition from individual sellers and smaller retail sites.
4 Types of Ecommerce
Modern ecommerce can be broken down into different categories, or types if you will. Each one involves a specific seller and customer. Before an ecommerce agency can begin thinking about things like SEO and PPC, decision makers must know the type of ecommerce they are dealing with.
1. Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
The first and most common type of ecommerce is B2C. Businesses use websites to sell products directly to consumers. Some businesses sell through their own websites. Others sell on larger platforms, like Amazon. Still others utilize both resources.
2. Business-to-Business (B2B)
B2B ecommerce takes a close second behind B2C. In a B2B scenario, businesses sell directly to one another through online portals. In at least some cases, it can be hard to discern between B2C and B2B websites.
3. Business-to-Government (B2G)
A business that sells primarily to government entities is engaging in B2G ecommerce. B2G is big business. Agencies at the federal, state, and local levels need all sorts of products to support their operations. They are just as happy as consumers to buy online.
4. Consumer Ecommerce
The remaining three types of ecommerce can all be consolidated under the consumer umbrella. They include consumer-to-consumer (C2C), consumer-to-business (C2B), and consumer-to-government (C2G). The one thing all three have in common is that they are not strong candidates for professional ecommerce services. Your average consumer is not going to hire a firm like Webtek to help enhance ecommerce SEO and marketing.
Every Operation Is Different
For us, the most interesting thing about providing ecommerce services is that every operation is different. Sure, all ecommerce operations have some similarities. But each one is different in so many ways. Differences between clients and their needs force us to really get to know each client as intimately as possible.
If you are in the early stages of looking for an ecommerce agency, keep in mind that all ecommerce is not the same. Take your time with the goal of finding an agency that gets you and your operation. Do what it takes to find an agency you can work with; one that is on the same page and shares your goals and priorities.
