B2B SEO vs. B2C SEO: What’s the difference?

Navigating and detangling the complexities of Seach Engine Optimization ( SEO) is a daunting task if you are dealing with two distinct business landscapes; Business-to-Business ( B2B) and B2C. So, having an understanding of the key difference between B2B and B2C SEO strategies is vital for optimizing your online presence. In this blog ‘B2B SEO vs. B2C SEO: What’s the difference?’ we’ll discuss B2B SEO services and B2C SEO Services, providing you with their unique challenges and best practices. 

One of the key differences between B2B SEO and B2C is the core goals and the objectives of the campaigns. The B2B buying process is much more complex due 

its larger and more costly purchase and longer sales cycle.

B2B SEO campaigns focus on brand exposure and generate potential leads that will turn into sales via demo requests, whitepaper downloads, sign-ups, newsletters, etc. While B2C SEO campaigns aim at getting more visitors and making a purchase on the website. These kinds o differences also impact how SEO has applied to these programs. But these strategies can also be tailored to both B2B and B2C SEO campaigns.

What’s the Difference Between B2B and B2C?

Before we dive into the complex parts, let's start with the basics. 

B2C - B2C aka Business to the consumer can be defined as the method of selling the services directly to the consumer. If you are having your business online, the process 

will be like - Consumers finding your website/brand, browsing products, proceeding with the process, and checking out after paying for their desired product.

B2B - B2B aka business-to-business is basically selling products or services to other businesses. However, B2B is much more complex when it comes to online 

Transactions. Compared to B2C, B2B online transactions are a bit complex. For B2C, a customer can view a post about a bag sale post, visit the website and buy it. B2b sales is not a short process either, reveals the experts at Inter Smart the top SEO services in Dubai

Since the products and services and more widespread, it will take a much longer time to turn a prospect into a lead, than into an actual paying customer. It can even take a few months to take time for the target audiences finds your brand, visit the website and explore your services and make a final decision. This is the reason why B2B transactions normally require more advanced SEO strategies.

Transactions, sales, and messaging also vary when it comes to B2B to B2C. This makes it especially important that marketers implement the right tactics for their customers (whether businesses or consumers).

Key Challenges of B2B SEO

Let’s admit it, SEO is quite challenging nowadays. Here we’ll discuss the specific challenges the B2B marketers presented with when it comes to SEO and how it varies from B2C.

• Language and Keyword Use 

The vocabulary of B2B marketing is more complex than B2C.  This is due to the fact that B2B buyers are specifically looking to solve an issue of their organization and that will be integrating their existing systems.

For example, there is no need to explain the exact technology of Ziploc integrated with sandwich bags, and the customers will know that the food will be kept fresh. However, a CRM technology provider will be needing to disclose and explain every feature since the potential buyers will need to have an understanding of the software. But you do get the point right? The B2B language will be much more technical than B2C and which is why reaching out to the audience with accurate and precise information while sounding like an expert is important. 

• Decision Makers

When you look into it, B2C purchases are solely decided or generated by a single individual while B2B is majorly influenced by multiple decision-makers. However, each decision maker does have ability and resources to do research on their options, whether it is a competitive product or service. This is why B2B SEOs must focus on multiple searchers and searches and ensure that the search terms are addressed on specific landing pages, that address the potential customer aka decision maker’s needs.

• Goals

When it comes to goals, both B2B and B2C search campaigns ultimately aim to increase sales and revenue. However, the goal of B2B SEO programs is not to make a sale immediately but to drive conversion that will lead to a sale. If you are looking for effective SEO solutions for your business, reach out to the experts at Inter Smart, the best SEO company in Dubai

Also, the KPIs for B2B and B2C SEO campaigns will be also different due to the same reason. In order to separate quality leads, B2B search marketers might want potential customers to request a demo, sign up for a free trial, and so on. Sales will be more important in a B2C SEO strategy because a purchase can be completed in a single session.

• On page content

In B2B, natural language is much more important. Also, the content on the website is optimized for both search engines and B2B buyers. Even though it sounds simple, B2B search marketers must focus on the on-page copy. Of course, it should be also natural and aligned with the potential buyer’s challenge. But for B2C SEO, product specification, availability, and pricing are more important.

• User Intent 

User intent should be the top priority for B2B marketing gurus while focusing on the conversion funnel in relation to search. Giving content that actually the need of the customer is quite essential.

But why is this important? As we already mentioned before, the B2B sales funnel is much longer. This also points out that marketers will be involved in various stages of the buying process before a sale is actually made. For this reason, B2B SEO needs to focus on various areas than B2C marketers.