E-Retail vs E-commerce: What are the differences?

What is E-Retail?

E-Retails is the specific activity related to selling retail products and services online. E-retail focuses on business-to-consumer (B2C). E-retail is also known as electronic tailing. Consumers directly buys goods or services from the seller over the internet.

Advantages:

• You can get your products in front of a wider audience unlocking massive revenue opportunities
• You don’t have to worry about individual sales, returns, customer service. You outsource these to the online retailer which frees up your resources and budgets.
• You sell products in bulk. This means you can offer more competitive pricing.

Disadvantages:

• You must share your margin with an additional intermediary.
• You have less control of the customer data since you’re not as close to the end customer, and less control of the customer experience, how your products are positioned and less control over your brand communication.
• If you don’t manage your distribution network properly, your brand image will suffer.

What is E-commerce?

E-commerce refers to the broader activities such as e-retail, electronic financial services, management of online supply chains, mobile commerce, digital marketing, and data collection systems. E-commerce encompasses B2C as well as, Business-to-Business (B2B), Consumer-to-consumer (C2C), and Consumer-to-business (C2B).

Advantages:

• You can control exactly how your brand and products are displayed. It makes it easier to launch new products.
• You are in direct contact with the end-customer meaning you can handle the relationship. You own the customer data.
• You have the option to target new customers using the online marketing tools which helps you understand the customer’s needs better.

Disadvantages:

• Selling direct-to-customer requires specific skill sets and capabilities. If you’re used to selling in bulk, this might not be in your company’s ‘DNA’.
• Ecommerce means you may be limiting yourself by giving up on a lot of potential business.
• Selling only through your own website requires a strong brand and heavy marketing spend.

Regardless of the exact definitions of e-retail and ecommerce, the essential thing for every brand is to make sure their products are available online. Buyers increasingly prefer to make their purchases online, and businesses that fail to offer great online experiences will fall. Both e-retail and e-commerce come with a set of advantages and disadvantages; the ones that is best for you, depends on different factors of your business.

Here at Cosonas, we aim to make your online marketing easier to help boost your business. Get in touch now via:

• Email at hello@cosonas.com
• phone: +44(0)2034321794
• WhatsApp 07469739128
• Social Media: Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

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