Part of me thinks there may be, but the way you sometimes see them used interchangeably also makes me think that consumer has taken on much of the same meaning as customer. Maybe depends on from which context you’re speaking, i.e. out/in business?
Part of me thinks there may be, but the way you sometimes see them used interchangeably also makes me think that consumer has taken on much of the same meaning as customer. Maybe depends on from which context you’re speaking, i.e. out/in business?
Customers pay; consumers use. Sometimes they’re the same, often they are not.
Ad-supported services: If you search for something on Google, you are a consumer. Google’s customers are the companies paying for sponsored links at the top of your search results.
Kids toys (and other gifts): The kid in the sandbox playing with a Tonka truck is the consumer of the product but their parents (grandparents, etc.) are the customers.
“Enterprise” solutions: Corporate IT departments are usually the customer, though they may never use the product. Other employees are the consumer, but they had no choice in buying it so they’re not the customer.