Applications using the web, such as electronic commerce applications, have become larger, more complex and dynamic. Developing and maintaining such large and complex web applications demand a systematic process and an effective engineering methodology. A suitable model of web application that can capture its features is crucial and fundamental to the establishment of such approaches. In this paper, through a practical case relevant to business to business electronic commerce, we make a study of content component web application model, within which a content component is regarded as an independent process unit performing necessary content organizing, processing and presenting functions. From content component view, which is at the level of software analysis and design, a web application is regarded as a collection of content components and some other service components providing certain content service. In this paper, we put emphasis on more effective development and maintenance in web application by using content component model, methods and underlying technologies.