B2C platforms, such as Shopify, allow entrepreneurs to launch their own online stores in a matter of minutes. Launching an online store doesn’t require extensive knowledge of web development or online marketing, thanks to the platform’s intuitive drag-and-drop functionality. You can use a B2C platform to easily set up a website with a blog, complete with online store functionality.

This is perfect for consumers who are looking to discover goods and services quickly and easily without having to spend too much time browsing through multiple websites. For businesses, B2C platforms allow for rapid iteration and testing of various marketing and sales strategies without the need to commit to a large-scale web redesign.

The Growing Appeal of B2C Platforms

While many industries struggle with how to engage with consumers in today’s digital world, the B2C market looks set to buck the trend.

According to a report from GoBeyond, a digital marketing agency, 73% of consumers have used a digital nomad approach to research products and gather information, including reviews and videos. With the rise of TikTok and other similar platforms, consumers have grown increasingly accustomed to seeking out content and advice from brands and experts quickly and easily online.

As a result, 42% of online adults have used a marketplace style interaction to either compare prices or seek for the best value in the case of a discount.

With the rise of marketing automation and inbound marketing, brands and businesses have quickly cottoned on to the fact that acquiring and retaining customers is easier when done remotely. A business’s digital nomad shoppers are typically less likely to be influenced by traditional advertising and more receptive to subliminal messaging, making them perfect targets for a B2C platform.

Marketing through a digital nomad’s Instagram account is far more effective than trying to reach them through advertising on a busy street corner. According to HubSpot Blogs research, Instagrammers are three times more likely to purchase a product or service after following a series of well-designed and carefully orchestrated branded content campaigns.

Why Should You Launch An Online Store On A B2C Platform?

If you’re looking to make money from home, selling your own products or those of other small businesses is a smart move. With the right tools, it’s quite easy to launch an online store in the 12-minutes or less that it takes to make a cup of coffee. Why should you avoid free hosting platforms and take up valuable web space for a store that you’ll probably never make any money from?

Shopify has a built-in free account that allows you to set up a store in no time at all. You won’t need to pay a penny to keep your store up-to-date, and you can make money online from the first sale you make.

Why should you avoid free blogging platforms and take up valuable web space for a blog that you’ll probably never promote enough to generate any income?

Blogging platforms, like Blogger, aren’t designed for monetization and even the most popular ones, like WordPress, can be quite expensive to keep up-to-date with the latest innovations and changes in web design.

Since B2C platforms evolved from online marketplaces to provide a one-stop-shop for consumers, many of the tools and functionalities are designed to help you manage your online store efficiently. From inventory to shipping, customer care to marketing analytics – all within the one platform.

You’ll find that Shopify is the perfect blend of functionality and ease-of-use for your business needs. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or simply looking to launch a side-hustle, Shopify has you covered.