B2B vs B2C Advertising: 8 Differences & Examples You Need To Know

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Bryttney Blanken
Demand Generation Consultant @BryttneyBlanken

Hey there new B2B marketer! 

Diving into the world of B2B advertising can be confusing and overwhelming. 

In this article I’m going to walk you through 8 differences between B2B & B2C you need to know. 

This article is part of our B2B learning track so if you’re serious about learning B2B advertising you’re in the right place! 

Let’s dive into it 👏

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

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8 Biggest Differences Between B2B and B2C

In no particular order of importance, here are the 8 biggest differences between business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) advertising. 

The Cost of The Product

The first key difference between B2B and B2C is the cost of the product. 

B2B marketers call this the average deal size or average contract value depending on what is sold. 

Typically, B2B products are more expensive ranging from $1,000 to over $250,000.

How Purchase Decisions Are Made

In B2B buying, there will be more people involved in the purchase of the product compared to B2C where there is usually only one person involved.

This is often referred to as a buying committee, in B2B your job is to nurture, educate, and reach everyone in this group so they can collectively decide to purchase the product. 

The Average Sales Length

There are more people involved with purchasing the B2B product or service and the product is typically a more expensive purchase, the length of time to purchase that product is typically longer. 

Depending on the complexity of what is being bought, sales cycles can range from 30 days to 36 months. The higher and more complex the product or service is the longer the sales cycle typically is.

This is different from B2C because it can take me 30 seconds to buy something off an Instagram ad. 

I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing 🤣

Smaller Audience Sizes

With B2B advertising programs, you’ll be targeting smaller audiences across ad channels. 

Your audience will typically be less than 300,000 contacts with a focus on reaching the right person and company vs B2C where your audiences will typically be much broader than this since more people can purchase your product or service.

Different Distribution Strategies

Since you’ll be reaching a much more targeted audience, and you may be dealing with a specific budget – the ad channels you decide to use may look different than your B2C advertising counterparts. 

It all comes down to where your audience lives and breathes, digitally.

Believe me, I’ve been behind some powerful Facebook ads for B2B. But, you may think twice about using a TV commercial during the Super Bowl as a B2B marketer (well…unless you’re Salesforce!)

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But again, this will all depend on your budget and the breath of your buyers.

Need to Support Multiple Sales Funnels

In B2B, your advertising campaigns will support and fuel multiple sales funnels and processes. 

The big three are product-lead, sales-lead, and a hybrid of both.

You can learn more about each revenue model in our B2B Advertising Guide. 

Team Sport, Not Individual

B2B advertising requires strategic alignment across multiple teams including sales, marketing, and customer success departments to support the buyer’s journey and close deals more effectively.

Given the fact that it’s not just about reaching a specific individual but also a company. 

This increases the importance and complexity of working across teams. 

diagram of a B2B team structure, with “B2B Team” at the top and branches leading to “Marketing,” “Sales,” and “Service,” each enclosed in blue circles

Go Further Than Just The First Conversion

The B2B sales processes are more complex and there's more buyers involved. 

Your advertising campaigns should be designed to help impact the entire buyer journey.

Not just the first conversion like B2C advertising.

B2B marketing funnel showing Total Spend to SQLs, highlighting key metrics like impressions, clicks, leads, and conversions.

I hope you found this article helpful! 

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Connect with me on LinkedIn, and let’s keep the conversation going.

You can also visit my website here for more valuable content.

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Jumpstart Your B2B Marketing Career

b2b advertising foundations free course by bryttney blanken

If you’re serious about mastering B2B advertising, then you definitely need to check out my free course that will teach you the foundational knowledge to becoming a high-performing B2B marketer who knows how to use advertising to drive legit business and revenue impact without the fluff or wasting your time and money learning the ropes the hard way.

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  • Module 1: You’ll get a crash course in the B2Bverse and master terminology, sales processes, and working across teams.

  • Module 2: You’ll learn how to become your customers' psychologists and understand them deeply through buyer personas that allow you to craft effective messaging.

  • Module 3: You’ll master the B2B funnel and learn how to think like a CEO to identify performance bottlenecks and convert more leads into revenue.

  • Module 4: You’ll learn how to put it all together and build your go-to-market strategy that gets your ad in front of your dream buyers and converts attention.

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This course was designed with absolute beginners in mind.

Accelerate your learning curve and start the course today for free.

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People Also Ask

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How do customer expectations differ between B2B and B2C markets?

B2B customers typically expect detailed information, personalized communication, and long-term value, focusing on how a product or service can address specific business needs. In contrast, B2C customers often seek quick solutions, emotional satisfaction, and immediate benefits, valuing convenience and brand experience.

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What are the implications of these differences for customer service strategies?

In B2B markets, customer service should be consultative, offering tailored solutions and ongoing support to build strong relationships. For B2C markets, customer service should prioritize efficiency, accessibility, and positive experiences to foster customer loyalty and satisfaction.

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How do pricing strategies vary between B2B and B2C businesses?

B2B pricing often involves negotiation, volume discounts, and customized quotes based on the client’s specific requirements. B2C pricing is generally fixed, with occasional promotions or discounts aimed at attracting a broad consumer base.

What role does branding play in B2B versus B2C marketing?

In B2B marketing, branding establishes credibility and trust, positioning the company as a reliable partner. In B2C marketing, branding focuses on creating an emotional connection and brand loyalty among consumers.

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How do digital marketing strategies differ between B2B and B2C companies?

B2B digital marketing often leverages content marketing, LinkedIn outreach, and email campaigns targeting decision-makers. B2C digital marketing utilizes social media platforms, influencer partnerships, and broad-reaching advertising to engage consumers.

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Bryttney Blanken
Demand Generation Consultant @BryttneyBlanken
Want to level up your B2B advertising skill set?
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