B2B Meaning and Example
B2B stands for “business-to-business” and refers to a transaction or business between two or more businesses. Here are some examples of B2B transactions:
- A wholesaler sells to a retailer
- A wholesaler sells to a manufacturer
- A company that produces tire casings sells to a car manufacturer
- A company purchases raw materials from another company to use in manufacturing
- A company sells office furniture, software, or paper to other businesses
- A law firm works on corporate cases
- A marketing studio prepares strategies and content for brands
Business-to-Business (B2B): What it is and How it’s Used
B2B marketing is when a business promotes products and services to other companies to help them improve their operations. B2B e-commerce is when a business sells products or services to other businesses online. B2B e-commerce is usually more complex than B2C e-commerce, which targets personal consumers.
Key Takeaways
- Business-to-business (B2B) is a transaction or business conducted between one business and another, such as a wholesaler and retailer.
- B2B transactions tend to happen in the supply chain where one company will purchase raw materials from another to be used in the manufacturing process.
- B2B transactions are also commonplace for auto industry companies, as well as property management, housekeeping, and industrial cleanup companies.
- Meanwhile, business-to-consumer transactions (B2C) are those made between a company and individual consumers.