12 Difference Between Selling and Marketing Concept

Table of Contents

Selling Vs. Marketing Concept

Selling and marketing concepts are two major marketing philosophies each with different means, ends, and focus. Both are important marketing philosophies and are often sometimes interchangeably used, however, they hold great differences from each other.

The selling concept lies in the idea of increasing sales through aggressive and heavy promotional methods. On the other hand, the marketing concept aims at increasing customer satisfaction.

In this article, we will explore the difference between selling and marketing concepts. So, let’s understand what the marketing and selling concept is, and the differences between them.

What is a Selling Concept?

The selling concept is a marketing philosophy that argues that businesses have a main goal is to sell a lot of products. It focuses on using persuasive tactics like advertising to make people buy things, even if they don’t really need them.

This concept believes that customers won’t buy enough on their own, so companies need to push them to buy. It’s a short-term approach that looks at increasing sales quickly. However, it may not consider what customers truly want and can lead to one-time purchases instead of building long-lasting relationships.

Related: Types of Consumer Needs

What is a Marketing Concept?

The marketing concept is a marketing philosophy whose center focus is to sell what customers want and increase customer satisfaction. It is a customer-oriented approach.

The marketing concept believes that customers do not like aggressive selling efforts. Instead, it says when goods and services are made in accordance with consumers’ needs and desires, they naturally come to buy products.

As such, at its core, the marketing concept says, to make products what your customers want, not what you want to sell.

Difference Between Selling and Marketing Concept

Now, Let’s differentiate between the selling and the marketing concept of marketing.

Focus

Selling Concept: This approach concentrates on the needs of the seller. It revolves around convincing customers to purchase products, with a heavy emphasis on promotion and persuasion.
Marketing Concept: Here, the focus shifts to the buyer’s needs. It’s about understanding what customers truly want and crafting products that cater to those needs.

Perspective

Selling Concept: It adopts an inside-out viewpoint, starting from the company’s products and trying to push them onto the market.
Marketing Concept: Taking an outside-in approach, it begins by identifying the target market’s demands and then designing products that fit those demands.

Objective

Selling Concept: The primary goal is to increase sales volume, often disregarding whether customers genuinely need the product.
Marketing Concept: It aims for customer satisfaction as the ultimate objective, recognizing that this leads to long-term success and loyalty.

Starting Point

Selling Concept: The starting point is usually the company’s production process or factory, from where products are pushed onto the market.
Marketing Concept: It starts by pinpointing the target market – the group of people most likely to benefit from and desire the product.

Business Planning

Selling Concept: The approach involves short-term planning, often focusing on current products and markets.
Marketing Concept: A long-term planning strategy is adopted, considering not only current products and markets but also forecasting new products and future growth.

Emphasis

Selling Concept: It emphasizes the seller’s products and their features, rather than the customer’s needs.
Marketing Concept: The main emphasis is on customer needs and wants, tailoring products to fulfill those desires.

Profit Source

Selling Concept: Profit is generated through increased sales volume, even if customers might not necessarily benefit from the product.
Marketing Concept: Profit is derived from customer retention, loyalty, and satisfaction, ensuring continued business success.

Competition Approach

Selling Concept: Competing is centered around outdoing rivals in sales figures, often leading to aggressive promotional strategies.
Marketing Concept: The competition revolves around satisfying customers better than competitors by meeting their specific needs.

Customer Perception

Selling Concept: Customers are viewed as the last link in the business process, primarily seen as purchasers.
Marketing Concept: Customers are perceived as the core purpose of the business, where the entire process aims to satisfy their needs.

Pricing Strategy

Selling Concept: Price determination is often based on the cost of production, with little regard for market demand.
Marketing Concept: Prices are influenced by market forces, demand, and supply, ensuring alignment with what customers are willing to pay.

Seller Oriented Vs. Customer Oriented

Selling Concept: This approach is seller oriented. It says we make the products and sell them in the market.
Marketing Concept: This approach is customer oriented. It says we understand the market, then make the products.

Example

Selling Concept: Examples of selling concepts include insurance, luxury fashion brands, political campaigns, etc.
Marketing Concept: Apple’s iPhone, Coca-Cola’s Personalized Bottles, Nike’s Personalized Shoes, etc. are examples of the marketing concept.

Selling Concept Vs. Marketing Concept: 12 Differences