Tag: mobile payments

Global Payments announces support for new mobile payments service

| October 6, 2014

Global Payments will be supporting Apple Pay through its OpenEdge division

Global Payments, a leading provider of mobile payment solutions, has announced that its Integrated Solutions division, OpenEdge, will be supporting Apple Pay. Apple has made a major splash in the mobile commerce field with the launch of its new service. Apple Pay is quickly becoming one of the most widely supported payment services in the world, with financial organization showing strong support for the platform. Global Payments may help add more momentum to the service’s popularity.

OpenEdge will add Apple Pay support to its software development kit

OpenEdge will be adding Apple Pay to its software development kit. This will allow developers to embed the mobile payments service into their products. The software development kit provides developers with the tools they need to include a variety of services into the applications and platforms that they develop and make available to the public. By offering support for Apple Pay, those using the OpenEdge development kit may gain access to a wider range of consumers that are entering into the mobile commerce field.

Apple Pay is gaining support, but faces a challenge when it comes to inclusion

Mobile Payments SupportWhile Apple Pay is becoming quite popular, the service does have one problem. Apple Pay uses NFC technology, which is not a problem in itself, but the service is only accessible through the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices. These devices are also equipped with NFC technology, but will only be able to use the Apple Pay service and not the myriad other services that also used NFC. This may be good news for iOS fans, but not necessarily so for the others that are participating in mobile payments.

Apple Pay may be able to change the way consumers interact with merchants

OpenEdge expects that Apple Pay will change the way consumers interact with merchants. The company suggests that those visiting a restaurant, for instance, will be able to order and pay for their meals ahead of time using nothing more than a mobile device. This introduces a new aspect of convenience to the mobile space.

Mobile payments are highest among smartphone users

| October 3, 2014

Retailers may need to optimize their mobile sites if they want to engage consumers effectively

NetElixir has released a new report concerning mobile shoppers and their proclivity to purchase products online. Mobile commerce has become a powerful force in the retail industry, but not all retailers are taking steps to ensure that they are engaging consumers effectively. Many retailers have poorly optimized websites, which make it difficult for mobile shoppers to actually spend any money while they are shopping. If retailers cannot take mobile consumers seriously, they could be missing out on a major opportunity.

Smartphone conversion on optimized sites is 160% higher than on non-optimized sites

According to the report from NetElixir, conversion rates for smartphone users on sites that are optimized for mobile devices is 160% higher than conversion rates for shoppers on non-optimized sites. Websites that are optimized for mobile devices are easier for consumers to navigate when they are shopping on a smartphone or tablet. It is also easier for consumers to finalize a payment through such websites, whereas consumers often abandon their purchases on non-optimized sites due to frustration.

Smartphone users are also willing to spend more money on optimized sites

mobile payments high among smartphone usersThe report also shows that consumers are more willing to spend money on optimized sites. Mobile shoppers spent an average of 70% more money on a mobile optimized site than on non-optimized sites. Smartphone users are also spending more money than those shopping from a PC or laptop, according to the report. Impulse purchases may be part of the reason behind this, as mobile shoppers are more inclined to make a seemingly spontaneous purchase than those shopping on a PC or laptop.

Retailers could miss out on holiday season opportunity if they do not optimize their websites

If retailers choose not to optimize their sites for mobile consumers by the holiday season, they could miss out on a significant revenue opportunity. Over the past few years, mobile commerce has flourished during the holiday season. Retailers that were able to effectively engage mobile consumers found a great deal of success, while those that ignored mobile consumers did not.