[Fast Guide] The difference between a customer and a consumer

This is something that most people in marketing don't seem to get. They think consumers and customers are the exact same thing.

Well... they're not.

The Differences Explained
A consumer is someone who uses a product and/or service. A customer is someone who buys a product and/or service. But get this... not everyone who buys a product is going to be the one who uses.

Yeah that might not sound like it makes sense but think of it like this. Let's say you own a company that sells supplements to MLM companies who resell it. The MLM companies buy the product you sell sure but they aren't the ones using it. They're the customer. The MLM companies sell it to the consumers.

Why This Is important to know
So what the hell is the point in knowing this difference?

You want to know who you have to sell to so that you can make the most money you can.

If you work in a niche where there are a crap ton of companies that want to resell what you offer then you'd be missing a crazy lucrative opportunity by not selling to them. These guys ultimately have the data to sell directly to consumers they just might not have the product. Instead of competing with them by selling right to the consumer you can work WITH them by selling the product you have and they don't to them.

Get the picture?

@young OUT!

This is pretty accurate and I agree that many don't grasp the differences between a consumer and a customer.

Nice writeup you've got here.

How does the consumer buy the product if they only use it?

What if a customer decides to use the product should they not buy it?