Amazon launched a new program on Monday to help ecommerce platform providers and developers offer its Amazon Payments payment-processing service to their merchant customers. Spokesperson Tom Cook told EcommerceBytes it was another step Amazon is taking to expand the number of places where customers can pay using their Amazon account information.
Platforms like PrestaShop, Shopify, and FutureShop, which were mentioned in yesterday’s announcement, were already able to offer their merchants the ability to accept Amazon payments, but Cook explained that the Amazon Payments Partner Program increases visibility for service providers and developer partners. It also provides them with additional tools and services to make it easier for them and their merchants to integrate Pay with Amazon.
“Ultimately, he said, “it comes down to formalizing the program and building additional tools and services to make it easier for partners to provide merchant customers with Pay with Amazon.”
Earlier this year, Amazon revealed that more than 23 million customers had used their Amazon account to make a purchase on a third-party merchant website. But the potential is much greater: the over 304 million shoppers with an Amazon account can checkout using Pay with Amazon.
Amazon customer can easily access their shipping address and payment information stored in their Amazon accounts to complete purchases on merchant sites that offer Pay with Amazon. Their billing address remains private, and is not shared with the merchant.
That makes it an easy option for shoppers – now Amazon has to get merchants to integrate with its payment service, and the new program is a sign it’s getting more aggressive.
Asked about conversion data for merchants who accept Pay with Amazon, Cook shared some statistics from some EU customers. For instance, UK retailer Allsaints saw a 34% boost in conversion – and it also saw a 68% reduction in checkout time.
Cook declined to reveal how many websites and ecommerce platforms offer Pay with Amazon as a payment option but said the number is growing rapidly – “and with partners like Shopify, PrestaShop and FutureShop it will grow even faster,” he said.
The Amazon Payments Partner Program is free and available by invitation in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and Japan. Members are eligible to receive account management, planning support, technical resources and training, Partner directory listing, Partner designation with exclusive logos, and certain Partners may also be eligible for co-marketing activities.
The program includes Premier Partner, Certified Partner, and Certified Developer levels, with distinct certified categories for ecommerce platform providers and developers.
Cook told EcommerceBytes the number of merchants using Pay with Amazon had grown more than 200% in 2015, year-over year. The number of customers using Pay with Amazon grew more than 150% in 2015 year-over-year, and Pay with Amazon payment volume grew more than 150% year-over-year.
You can find more information about the Amazon Payments Partner Program here and about Amazon Payments here.
