B2C (Business-to-Consumer) is a business model where companies sell products or services directly to individual consumers. This model contrasts with B2B (Business-to-Business), which targets other businesses. B2C companies operate in industries such as retail, travel, entertainment, e-commerce, and SaaS (for individuals).
What Is B2C?
In a B2C relationship, the company is focused on mass appeal, consumer behavior, convenience, and emotional engagement. Transactions are typically high in volume but lower in average value compared to B2B.
B2C is built on user experience, personalization, and brand loyalty to convert casual visitors into loyal customers.
B2C vs B2B
| Feature | B2C | B2B |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Individual consumers | Business decision-makers |
| Purchase Size | Low-to-medium | Medium-to-high |
| Sales Cycle | Short, often instant | Long, multi-touch |
| Marketing Focus | Emotions, convenience, lifestyle | ROI, problem-solving, efficiency |
| Example | Amazon, Netflix, Uber | CUFinder, Salesforce, HubSpot |
B2C Channels & Touchpoints
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
| E-commerce | Product sales (e.g., Shopify, Amazon) |
| Mobile Apps | Streaming, fitness, finance (e.g., Duolingo, Spotify) |
| Social Media | Discovery and engagement (e.g., Instagram, TikTok) |
| Email & SMS | Personalized marketing and promotions |
| Search Engines | SEO and paid search to capture intent |
Why B2C Matters in Digital Strategy
- 💳 Enables direct sales at scale
- 📲 Delivers personalized content through automation
- 🔁 Supports high-frequency, repeat transactions
- 🎯 Leverages behavioral targeting and remarketing
- 📊 Generates data for rapid optimization and A/B testing
Examples of B2C Businesses
- Retail: Nike, Zara
- Streaming: Netflix, Spotify
- E-commerce: Amazon, Etsy
- SaaS for individuals: Canva, Grammarly
- Mobile apps: Duolingo, Calm
How CUFinder Supports B2C-Relevant Use Cases
While CUFinder is designed for B2B, it supports hybrid B2C2B models by:
- 🔍 Identifying professionals for niche consumer targeting
- 📬 Enriching data for personalized retargeting
- 🔁 Supporting SMB-focused campaigns (where businesses behave like consumers)
- 📊 Feeding real-time segmentation for omnichannel campaigns
Cited Sources
- Wikipedia: Business-to-consumer
- Wikipedia: Consumer
- Wikipedia: Retail
- Wikipedia: E-commerce
Related Terms
- B2B (Business-to-Business)
- Customer Journey
- Buyer Persona
- Behavioral Targeting
- Conversion Rate Optimization
- Personalization
FAQ
What is B2C in simple terms?
B2C is when a company sells directly to consumers, such as when you buy shoes from Nike or subscribe to Netflix.
How does B2C differ from B2B?
B2C focuses on quick, emotion-driven purchases by individuals, while B2B focuses on longer sales cycles and ROI-driven decisions by businesses.
Is SaaS considered B2C?
Yes, if the software is sold to individuals (e.g., Canva, Grammarly). But most SaaS businesses are B2B.
Can a company be both B2B and B2C?
Yes. Many companies operate in hybrid models, selling to both consumers and businesses with different products or pricing tiers.
Does CUFinder support B2C businesses?
CUFinder is built for B2B, but it can support prospecting and enrichment in consumer-facing industries targeting professionals, such as finance, edtech, or healthcare.