O2O, or Online To Offline, is a new business mode combining online shopping and front line transactions. A business adopting an O2O (Online To Offline) mode usually provides information, services and booking discounts and pushes its messages to Internet users, who in return will become the customers of the particular offline business partners. The business mode is particularly suitable for consumer goods and services, such as food and beverage, fitness, movies and beauty salon.

Relationship between O2O, B2C and C2C

O2O (Online To Offline), B2C (Business to Customers) and C2C (Customers to Customers) all involve online payment, but the difference is that through B2C and C2C, purchased goods are packed and delivered to the hands of consumers. O2O consumers can still enjoy this service offline. It is a mode of business that offers a good combination of website traffic, consumer service experience.

Future of O2O

“If you do not know what O2O is, you should at least know about the popular “group-purchasing”, which is only the tip of the O2O iceberg. Group-purchasing is only the first step of O2O business.” The difference is that discounted group-purchasing is only a kind of temporary promotion, and this marketing method is not sustainable and difficult to turn into a long-term business. With the development of group-purchasing, the O2O business will be rise rapidly.