M-commerce and PayPal: Unexpected besties

M-commerce and PayPal: Unexpected besties

Nearly 70% of mobile purchases are made through an alternative payment method, like PayPal or Google Checkout, instead of with a credit card, according to a new study released by ShopVisible, an e-commerce solutions provider.

That's almost the exact inverse when compared to e-commerce purchases made on websites from computers, said Sean Cook, CEO of ShopVisible. And 20% of all purchases made on e-commerce sites are now made on phones and tablets.

One of the possible causes of the popularity of alternative payment methods on mobile? Your thumbs.

Yes, that's right: Your thumbs.

Think about it. You're lounging on your couch looking at that gorgeous pair of purple pumps on Zappos.com's mobile site, and the Real Housewives of New York are on (Don't act like you haven't done this). Do you really want to get up off the couch, grab your card, type in your entire credit card number and the rest of that info? Or do you just want to use PayPal?

It should be noted that this study isn't exactly scientific. It was conducted during two months and looked at the 23,000 purchases made leading up to the Internet Retailer Convention & Exhibition Hall, where ShopVisible has a booth.

Still, in a statement by ShopVisible, the company deduces that these alternative payment methods just might be the key to unlocking ever-elusive m-commerce.

And it's entirely possible that they're onto something.