B2C Business Models

Intermediary, Affiliate, Merchant, Web-community]

While business-to-business commerce refers to business transactions between companies, business-to-consumer models are those that sell products or services directly to personal-use customers. B2C or business-to-consumer companies connect, communicate and conduct business transactions with consumers most often by means of the Internet.
B2C is larger than just online retailing and includes

online banking,
travel services,
online auctions, and
health and real estate sites.

1) Information intermediary model: Information intermediary model: Infomediaries are a natural progression of e-Business. Information about consumers and consumer-buying habits is of great value to sellers and buyers alike. Infomediaries use various methods to collect and sell this information. Infomediaries can use this information to aid customers with recommendations and filters, and by acting as an agent. There are many issues concerning the trade of information and how it is obtained which can make this model complex.

2) The affiliate model: The affiliate model is a combination of aspects of the brokerage and advertising models. It is well suited to the web and is growing rapidly in popularity. It involves the linking of businesses with Web presence and incentive program for customers or other affiliate sites based on usage. Variations of this include revenue sharing, banner exchanges, and pay-per click systems.

3) Merchant model:Merchant model is another growing and evolving model or e-Tailer.These may be businesses with a traditional brick and mortar approach to retailing that have adopted a web strategy to supplement or expand their business. Merchants can also operate exclusively via the Internet or have unique web-based digital products such as mp4 or software downloads.

4) Web Community Model: This model is based on a community concept. It may involve membership and subscriptions and can offer professional advice, classified advertisements. In some cases, the users contribute to the content. Some sites offer specialized news content.

5) The Utility Model: This model offers content on a metered or pay-as-you use approach.