Business-to-business, or B2B, is commerce between businesses. One company sells products or services to another. A steel mill sells to a car manufacturer. A software company sells to a bank. The end consumer never sees the transaction.

B2B differs from B2C in several ways. The buyer is usually a professional, not an individual. The decision often involves multiple people—procurement, finance, operations. The sales cycle is longer. The order sizes are larger. Relationships matter more. Trust is built over years, not clicks. Marketing is different too. B2B buyers want specifications, case studies, and ROI data. They are not swayed by catchy slogans. They care about reliability, compliance, and total cost of ownership. The digital shift has changed B2B. Buyers now research online before contacting sales. E-commerce platforms make it easier to order. But the human element remains. A handshake still closes deals. B2B is the backbone of the economy. Most commerce happens between businesses, not between businesses and consumers.

Key differences from B2C

• Professional buyers
• Longer sales cycles
• Larger order values
• Multiple decision-makers
• Relationship-driven