The Difference Between Ecommerce and Brick-and-Click Ebusiness
While e-commerce is one form of business, brick-and-click business is another. Both businesses offer a physical presence, but their primary difference is the fact that they are digital. Whether your business is purely online or a hybrid of the two, eCommerce is the future of retail. This article will explore the difference between brick-and-click businesses and online shopping.
(For Full Service Phoenix SEO Services, Contact us Today!)
e-commerce is a subset of e-business
While the internet was largely created for business-to-business transactions, e-commerce is the exchange of goods and services over computer networks. Before the web, e-commerce existed in business-to-business transactions, albeit through Value-Added Networks and EDI. The types of e-commerce transactions are varied and can be broken down into four major categories. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce involves transactions between consumers, while business-to-business transactions are conducted between businesses. Social commerce is another subset of e-commerce, which uses social networks and the Internet as a means to market and sell goods and services.
While E-commerce is the actual selling and buying of products and services through the Internet, e-business encompasses the complete process of business. From planning, brainstorming, and providing excellent customer service to product exposure, e-business focuses on maximizing the use of technology to enhance the business. And because the Internet is so ubiquitous, e-business is a subset of e-commerce.
Brick-and-click business is a business that has a brick-and-mortar presence
The brick-and-click business model combines online and offline retail. By combining these two different business models, small businesses can maximize their potential earnings and brand awareness. Additionally, this business model allows small businesses to cater to a wider range of consumer needs than traditional brick-and-mortar stores can. Brick-and-click retailers include Walmart, Petco, and Old Navy.
While traditional brick-and-mortar stores continue to struggle in today’s economy, they have the advantages of operating a web-based business at lower costs and allowing more flexibility to customers. In addition to opening up a physical location, many traditional brick-and-mortar companies are also creating an e-commerce presence to take advantage of the growing popularity of online commerce.
Online shopping vs. brick-and-click business
While the online experience is the most popular option, a brick-and-click store may be more convenient. Consumers who want to buy expensive items will often prefer a brick-and-click store because they can physically inspect products. In addition, a brick-and-click store can replicate the in-person shopping experience. The brick-and-click model is also easier to implement and maintain.
A brick-and-click store may be useful for some businesses in certain niches. Many big toy retailers lack experience with catalog retailing and must learn new direct-marketing skills before launching a Web store. Many toy shoppers are also priced sensitive. On the other hand, buyers of business supplies value flexibility and responsiveness. Both methods are valuable, but only one is ideal for each type of business.