There are many types of businesses, and therefore, businesses are classified in many ways. One of the most common focus on activities that produce the key business benefits:
* Agriculture and mining businesses are concerned with the production of raw materials, such as plants or minerals.
* Financial businesses include banks and other companies that generate profit through investment and capital management.
* Information businesses generate profits primarily from the resale of intellectual property and include movie studios, publishers and enterprise software packages.
* Manufacturers produce products, from raw materials or component parts, which they then sell at a profit. Companies that make physical goods, such as cars or pipes, are considered manufacturers.
* Real estate businesses generate profit from selling, leasing, and property development, houses, and buildings.
* Retailers and Distributors act as middle men in getting things produced by the producer to the consumer is intended, making a profit as a result of providing sales or distribution services. consumer-oriented stores and catalog companies Most are distributors or retailers. See also: Franchising
* Service businesses offer intangible goods or services and typically generate profit by charging labor or other services provided to government, other businesses or consumers. Organizations ranging from house decorators to consulting firms, restaurants, and even entertainers are types of service businesses.
* Transportation businesses deliver goods and individuals from location to location, making a profit on the transportation costs
* Utilities produce public services, such as heat, electricity, or waste recycling, and are usually government chartered.
There are many other divisions and subdivisions of businesses. Authoritative list of business types for North America is generally considered to be North America Industry Classification System, or NAICS. List of European Union is equivalent to NACE’s.