---
title: "B2B vs B2C e-commerce – the real differences | Sweet Lava"
description: "B2C sells to consumers, B2B to companies: individual price lists, recurring orders, approvals and integrations. See what B2B commerce really requires."
url: https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/ecommerce-b2b-b2c/
lang: en
alternate_pl: https://sweetlava.eu/pl/slownik/e-commerce-b2b-b2c/
---

E-commerce & analytics 

# What is B2B & B2C e-commerce?

B2C e-commerce sells online to consumers; B2B sells to companies. They differ more deeply than they look: B2B needs individual price lists, recurring orders, purchase approvals and integrations with the customer's systems.

A B2C store optimises a single impulse: photos, reviews, fast checkout, next-day delivery. A B2B store serves an organisation's buying process: different prices per account, limits and approvals, file-based ordering, deferred payments, ERP integration on the buyer's side.

A common mistake: implementing B2B sales on a purely consumer platform. It works until the first client who wants negotiated pricing and a 30-day invoice.

When we design e-commerce, we start by asking who actually buys and what their process looks like – because B2B and B2C store architectures are two different products, even when they sell the same goods.

## Related services

- [ E-commerce development & online stores → ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/services/e-commerce/)

## Related articles

E-commerce · 31 March 2026

## [ How to choose an e-commerce platform – WooCommerce, Shopify or custom? ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/blog/woocommerce-vs-shopify-vs-custom/) 

Choosing a store platform is a decision for years. We compare WooCommerce, Shopify and tailor-made platforms – costs, flexibility, maintenance and the usual traps.

## Related terms

- [API](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/api/)
- [Conversion & conversion rate](https://sweetlava.eu/en/glossary/conversion-rate/)

## Planning an online store, or changes to your current one?

We build stores on WooCommerce, Shopify and custom platforms, with analytics that show what actually sells. Quote within a few days.

[ Get in touch ](https://sweetlava.eu/en/contact/?source=glossary-ecommerce-b2b-b2c)