Buy Buttons Changing The Way You Shop
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- The buy buttons are coming and they're going to change the way you shop.
The 'click to buy' function allows people to order stuff from retail, social media, and even search engine websites with the simple click of a button.
Diane Wright, a busy salon owner, does most of her shopping between clients on her iPad or smartphone. When Diane finds something she likes, she simply clicks on the buy button icons and it's shipped right out.
"It makes it faster and easier and it's just a quicker way to get to everything," said Wright.
"Buy buttons work by pretty much exactly as they sound," explained Nick Holland from Javelin Research.
Just like PayPal and Amazon's payment buttons, a user simply enters their credit card and shipping info into the sites and it's saved for future purchases. Experts predict similar kinds of buy buttons will soon be popping up all over the internet.
"Buy buttons are definitely, I would say exploding," according to Holland.
Facebook, Twitter and Google are now trying their own buy button systems.
You just click on a product that appears in an ad, a post, or in a search engine query and you get one click shopping and shipping.
"If you make it easier for a consumer to buy something they see when they're searching online, on their mobile device then those shoppers become much more valuable then advertising. It's extra revenue for retailers," explained John Breyault from the National Consumers League.
But while shopping from your smartphone, tablet or computer is faster and easier, is it more secure?
Experts say if consumers make sure a site offering buy buttons is well known and reputable then shopping using buy buttons may offer some security protections.
That's because, as experts point out, your credit card info usually stays in their payment processing system and the retailer doesn't get your card number.
"You have your details stored in safe environment as sanctioned by the card networks themselves and the information is delivered on demand," according to Holland.
Diane says the ease of using a buy button actually intrigued her to try new retailers.
"I'm liking their products and what they have to offer. So it's been a good exposure," said Wright.
Experts say if you're not familiar with a site offering buy buttons, be sure to do some research and check the company out before you enter any personal information.
Also, if you tend to be a shopaholic, make sure buy buttons don't make shopping "too" easy for you.