What B2B (Business-to-Business) is

An acronym that describes business-to-business relationships or applications. Many Web sites focus on B2B solutions that cater to a vertical market, such as healthcare or automotive. These sites are for businesses (think wholesale), and only other businesses can access them or make purchases. Similarly, a B2B auction is used to liquidate unwanted capital assets, dispose of excess inventory, and buy or sell equipment, parts, other products, and services. One advantage of setting up a B2B Web site is the ability to streamline operations between two businesses that already have a relationship. Internet analysts predict that B2B will be the biggest sector on the Web. NetLingo.com has a B2B component that includes the ability to license online content, such as the NetLingo Pocket Dictionary or the NetLingo Search Portal, to other companies, or to customize this book, NetLingo: The Internet Dictionary, for a company's promotional purposes.

The meaning of B2C (Business-to-Consumer)

An acronym that describes the thousands of e-commerce Web sites which sell products directly to the public (the consumer market). B2C is different from the B2B sector, and this distinction is important when comparing Web sites. Each approach has its own business model, strategy, execution, and fulfillment. NetLingo.com has a B2C component that includes selling books (including NetLingo: The Internet Dictionary) and smiley merchandise.