Online sales refer to all types of commercial transactions carried out over the internet. While the term is generally used to describe the sale of products through an online store, there are actually many alternatives when it comes to building your eCommerce strategy.

There are different types of eCommerce, depending on the analysis criteria we use. A common classification is based on the target customer:

• B2B (business-to-business sales)
• B2C (business-to-consumer sales)
• Hybrid (a mix of B2B and B2C)
• B2G (business-to-government/institutions/administration)
• C2C (consumer-to-consumer transactions)

Another, less common but simpler, classification is based on the company’s approach to online sales:

• Brick & Click: companies that sell physically/traditionally but also offer online sales.
• 100% Click: businesses that sell exclusively online.

Although this may seem like a theoretical approach, it’s actually crucial when building an online store, as it helps us evaluate different alternatives. Within each model, there are many types of online shops—and even if your product seems difficult to sell online, it’s highly likely that someone is already doing it. That’s why it’s recommended to research and explore the different forms of eCommerce that exist: physical products, digital products, services, etc.

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Ways to Sell Online

The relevance of online sales is growing for businesses of all types. Along with the increase in purchases (especially in the last year), user adoption is expanding—and consumers are buying more frequently.

This happens because shopping habits are changing, if they haven’t already in your industry:

• Online shopping is convenient.
• There’s a wide range of options, with virtually no physical barriers.
• Prices are often lower than in traditional stores.
• Consumer trust is increasing as the system matures.
• Communication is fluid, and shoppers rely on reviews and recommendations.
• Online advertising is becoming more common and effective.

Both these evolving habits and the growing importance of eCommerce show the potential impact online sales can have on a business. And considering the different types of online stores you can create, it’s not hard to find a model that fits your sector, business, or company.

But an important question remains: how do we make money from online sales? Again, there are multiple alternatives:

• Advertising
• Online retail
• Service sales
• Brokering
• Subscription models
• Affiliate marketing
• eLearning
• Etc.

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Alternatives in Online Sales

Like any entrepreneurial venture, eCommerce requires certain conditions to succeed: a clear target audience, a strong buying experience, a defined business model, and specific goals. In addition, an online store has its own “secrets” to operate effectively, such as content management, high-quality images, user experience design, and other key factors.

Even if you already have a preconceived idea of how to start selling online, it’s worth exploring the different options available. Creating your own store is not the only possibility—there are many ways to sell online, which can be used individually or in combination.

To choose the right option, you must understand the search habits of your target audience. Consumers won’t necessarily go directly to your online store to buy your products. Instead, they may search for what they need on marketplaces, corporate websites, search engines, price comparison sites, forums, blogs, deal aggregators—or even physical stores.