Got mobile? Your customers do. An increasing number of consumers tap into their mobile phones to do everything from surf the web to pay for transactions. In fact, experts predicted that shoppers would enjoy Thanksgiving Day dinner—and then proceed directly to the couch with their smartphone or tablet to shop early Black Friday deals. The juicy new term for this mode of shopping is couch commerce.

But whether consumers are buying on mobile while lounging in front of the game or they’re buying through their tablet over lunch break, the fact is that digital merchants need to start making it as easy as possible for customers to complete these transactions. Here are a few stats to jumpstart your journey into the world of m-commerce:

• 12% of American adults have paid for a transaction with a mobile device; however Forrester analysts expect that number to rise. (Forrester, via Mobile Commerce Daily)
• 60% of consumers who buy with mobile make purchases with their device while still at home. (PayPal, via Digby)
• 24% of U.S. iPhone users and 21% of Droid users have accessed a shopping app in the last 3 months. (Forrester, via Internet Retailer)
• Roughly 50% of mobile commerce originates on tablet devices. (Forrester, via Mashable)
• $119 billion in goods and services will be purchased through a mobile device by 2015. (ABI Research, via Econsultancy)
• 49% of those who use the mobile web at least 1x each week have made a purchase with their device in the last 6 months. (ROI Research, via Digby)

When it’s time for your digital business to boost mobile shopping conversion, contact ILD Teleservices. From ILD Mobile to ILD Bill to Phone, our billing solutions provide your market with a friction-free checkout experience. Find out what our alternative payment methods will do for your bottom line.

You use a mobile phone for everything from reading Uncle Milt’s football predictions on Facebook to catching up with the office—so; of course, you want to shop online using your mobile phone as well. Although, if you’re like nearly 80% of consumers, you probably worry about online fraud. In fact, identity fraud reached a new high in 2009, costing consumers an estimated $54 billion.

If you shop online from a desktop or laptop you may already know how to buy safely, from making sure you have a secure, encrypted connection to using alternative payment methods that don’t require you to share a credit card number.

However, when it comes to completing transactions via mobile, savvy online shoppers should take extra steps to protect sensitive information, like bank account numbers or credit card information. Here are 4 need-to-know mobile shopping safety tips:

1. Set a secure password for every shopping account you use. Most online stores request or require consumers to set up a password-protected account. Choose complex, hard-to-guess passwords that include numbers, letters, and, if possible, symbols.
2. Lock the phone so others can’t access it without a password or other security measure. If you haven’t already done so, check out the smartphone’s manual to make sure you’re aware of all its security features and how to enable them.
3. Don’t open unsolicited emails or social media messages. Our mobile devices are often a great way to find deals, coupons, and specials on the go. But be wary of clicking onto unsolicited messages that may lead to malicious websites.
4. Always verify the authenticity of the ecommerce store you’re purchasing from. Mobile devices feature smaller screens, sometimes hiding full URLs. Cybercriminals use URLs that begin with a legitimate online store name but instead take you to a malicious site.

Mobile shopping is convenient, but it also exposes us to identity theft just as easily as shopping from the home desktop. ILD Mobile Phone Billing allows you to buy gaming services, streaming movies, downloads, and more by charging purchases directly to your phone bill. What’s more, a notification is texted to the main billing phone number, allowing you to reject the purchase, if necessary.

Shop with safety. Shop with convenience. Shop with ILD’s Mobile Phone Billing.

You’re already using the 4 P’s (product, price, promotion, and place) to maximize revenue—but your marketing strategy may be missing the 5^th P: payment. Digital stores cannot live by credit cards alone. In fact, merchants who want to maximize their conversion rates need to offer alternative payment methods (APMs) to their shopping carts. Let’s consider a few facts:

• Interest rates on credit cards have climbed to record highs, with the average APR on a new credit card at nearly 15%.
• Almost 30% of consumers do not have a credit card.
• About 9 million U.S. households are unbanked, which means they cannot (or, in some cases, will not) use traditional banking services, like checking accounts or credit cards.
• Up to 64% of American online retailers have cart abandonment rates over 20%.

Consumers want and need alternative ways to pay for digital products and services.

The good news is that if you’re a merchant who sells digital products and services (content, software, downloads, subscriptions, gaming, etc.) you can offer an LEC billing option, such as ILD Teleservices’ Bill to Phone. What does this alternative payment method, which allows ecommerce shoppers to charge transactions to their phone bill, do for merchants?

• Provides instant access to more than 150 million North American consumers. What’s more, merchants enjoy access to markets that may have been previously out of reach, such as the unbanked or financially-conscious consumers not willing to pay credit card interest rates.
• Lowers shopping cart abandonment rates. Shoppers ditch transactions for a variety of reasons, whether they’re reluctant to share credit card info online or don’t want the hassle of opening a merchant account. Merchants who utilize ILD’s Bill to Phone offer consumers a safe and remarkably hassle free way to shop.

Whether you’re selling industry reports for the C-suite or online dating subscriptions for seniors, phone billing allows you to expand your reach and boost conversion. To learn more about lifting revenue with an alternative payment method, like Bill to Phone, contact the payment team at ILD.

Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The volatile economy is causing many consumers to be more mindful of their wallets. Will they have a job in 6 months? How high will credit card interest rates rise? These are the discussions millions are having around their kitchen tables. In fact, the August 7^th Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index showed that consumer confidence dropped to its second-lowest point of the year.

Digital merchants who want to succeed in these uncertain times need to take action.

One of the simplest paths to easing consumers’ concerns and making their decision to spend money on your ecommerce store easier is by offering alternative payment methods (APMs), like phone billing. This payment alternative works by allowing consumers to purchase digital goods and services, like downloads or Internet services, by charging the purchase to their phone bill.

Phone billing saves consumers money.

Shoppers spent less on credit cards during July 2011, according to a First Data report. As credit card companies increase interest rates and impose steeper penalties on late payments, plastic is becoming a less attractive way to pay for ecommerce products.

Digital merchants who add a phone billing option to their shopping cart give consumers a no-additional-cost way to complete the transaction. Shoppers aren’t forced to pay interest or fees to banks in order to get the goods and services they want. It’s a win for the customer; and that means it’s a win for you, too.

To start integrating consumer-friendly phone billing into your ecommerce store, contact ILD Teleservices, a leader in the third party payment processing industry. Our Bill to Phone alternative payment method offers timely settlements, increased customer satisfaction, and an easy-to-integrate interface. Learn more today.

As an ecommerce merchant, you know that customers want—and need—alternatives to the traditional credit card payment option. So if you want their business, you need to partner with an alternative payment processor who offers the right blend of expertise and easy-to-integrate technology. But before you sign on the dotted line, here are a few questions to ask the third party payment processor:

1. What is the deposit process? Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business—so be sure to understand how long it will take to deposit money into your account. Also find out if there are any situations that would delay a deposit.
2. Will a member of the payment processing team explain the statement to you? As a business owner, you deserve to know exactly where your dollars and cents are going. Be sure the prospective alternative payment partner is willing to familiarize you with how to read and understand statements.
3. If you dispute a fee, how will it be handled? If you see a fee that doesn’t look right, it’s important to know how the payment processor deals with merchant disputes. Find out what the dispute process entails as well as who makes the final verdict regarding refunds or waived fees.
4. Who’s your go-to person? No doubt, your initial contact was someone on the third party processor’s sales team. You’ll also want a list of additional contacts to have on speed-dial, such as the technical support team.

Adding alternative payment methods to checkout is a savvy way to boost revenue and control costs. But as with any other business deal, be sure to read and fully understand the terms and conditions of the contract—this is critically important when it comes to the complexities of payment processing.

What additional tips can you share with fellow merchants who might be on the verge of signing a contract with a third party payment processor?

Whether you market a digital newsletter or a service site, you rely on customers to come back for your product on a recurring basis. One way for ecommerce merchants to generate those repeat sales is by offering automatic subscription renewal.

Subscription renewals in digital commerce take two forms.

One way is manual renewal. With this option, the customer is not charged unless he or she expressly agrees to each transaction. Manual subscription renewal requires a digital customer to continually re-enter information regarding payment, such as a credit card number. Whether the subscription is renewed is entirely at the mercy of the customer’s schedule and convenience.

There is an easier way to boost subscriptions: automatic subscription renewal. The customer agrees to be charged at regular intervals until they cancel the service. After they submit valid billing info for the initial transaction, that same valid information is used for each subsequent charge. It’s easy for the customer and profitable for you!

There is a drawback to automatic subscription renewal.

Unfortunately, a few ecommerce customers won’t fully understand what they’ve signed up for—so when they continue to be billed, they become frustrated and dispute the charge. That’s why it is crucial to partner with a third party payment processor that offers a customer care team with the expertise and tools to professionally resolve those issues for you.

Alternative payment methods are a convenient way to boost auto subscriptions.

From electronic newsletter fees to monthly service charges, alternative payment methods (APMs), like phone billing, are an affordable way to lift subscriptions through auto payments. When you’re ready to boost revenue with automatic subscription renewals, contact our team at ILD Teleservices. As a leader in phone billing (LEC billing), we offer an easy-to-integrate payment system and one of the industry’s best customer care teams. Learn more today.

Ecommerce merchants lose more revenue from the fear of fraud than from actual fraud—6x as much revenue to be exact, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Eye-opening figure, isn’t it? And digital consumers have reason to be wary of sharing credit card or bank account information for online transactions. More than 11 million U.S. adults were victims of fraud in 2009, the highest level since 2003. The good news is there are tactics digital merchants can implement to make customers feel safer when shopping online.

So how do merchants take the fear out of shopping ecommerce stores?

1. Offer alternative payment methods (APMs). One of the easiest ways to give consumers peace of mind is by giving them shopping cart payment options that don’t ask for sensitive information. Third party payment processors provide alternative checkout options, such as Bill to Phone (LEC billing), which allows shoppers to charge purchases to their phone bill. No matter which APM you choose, invest in a third party payment processor with a platform that integrates smoothly into your current system for a seamless checkout—a feature that will boost customers’ confidence in the transaction.
2. Invest in an SSL certificate. This security software encrypts information transmitted between the customer and the digital merchant. Remember to feature the security logo or seal prominently to let shoppers know you’re doing your part to keep online shopping safe.
3. Outline an easy-to-understand privacy policy. Customers want to know what you’re going to do with the information they’re sharing, whether it’s their email address or credit card number. Post the privacy policy in clear language that the ecommerce shopper won’t need a legal expert to interpret.

What tips can you share for taking the fear out of ecommerce shopping?

Are you trying to decide if alternative payment methods (APMs) are right for your ecommerce business? Well, you’re on the right track. Alternatives to traditional credit card transactions are becoming a go-to way for digital merchants to boost revenue, expand markets, and reduce fraud exposure. Check out these ecommerce payment stats and facts:

Consumers Need Payment Alternatives for Digital Content.

• Nearly 30% of American consumers said they didn’t own a credit card in a February 2010 survey—a 10% jump from June 2009. (CreditCards.com)
• 17 million American adults do not have a bank account, relying instead on check-cashing services. (The Wall Street Journal)
• 21 million Americans are considered “underbanked.” These consumers have a checking account but often use payday services and car title loans. (The Wall Street Journal)
• According to a Javelin report, only 35% of merchants offer the alternative payment methods that make ecommerce transactions possible for those without credit cards or banking services. (Internet Retailer)

Credit Cards Cost Consumers.

• Credit card penalty fees cost consumers $20.5 billion in 2009. (CreditCards.com)
• Proposed caps on interchange (or swipe) fees charged to merchants could trigger banks to make up for lost revenue by charging consumers more. For example, in June Bank of America will start charging some users a penalty interest rate of up to 30% if they make late payments. (CNN Money)
• The proposed caps have also spurred banks to consider capping debit card transactions at as little as $50 or $100, even if the transaction is run as credit. (CNN Money)

Fraud Costs Consumers.

• 11.1 million U.S. adults were victims of fraud in 2009—the highest level since 2003. (CreditCards.com)
• Identity fraud victims are twice as likely as non-victims to change the way they shop and pay for purchases on ecommerce sites, according to Gartner research. (Information Week)

Fraud Costs Ecommerce Merchants.

• Ecommerce merchants lost $3.3 billion to fraud in 2009, translating into 1.2% of lost revenue. (CyberSource)
• The FTC estimates merchants lose 6x as much revenue from the fear of fraud than from actual fraud. (Ethoca)

It’s time to add alternative payment methods to your digital shopping cart. To learn more about what APMs will do for you, contact ILD Teleservices, an industry leader in LEC (or phone) billing, which allows customers to easily and safely charge purchases to their phone bill.

From Osama Bin Laden phishing scams to PlayStation Network’s hack, consumers have become increasingly aware of the risk of providing sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, online. But you don’t have to say “good-bye” to wary customers when you offer easier and safer alternative payment methods.

The risk of identity theft discourages risk-averse consumers from ecommerce shopping.

A 2010 study by the Identity Theft Resource Center found:

• 87% of consumers had “significant” concerns about personal information (such as credit card numbers, etc.) being stolen in a business data breach.
• 41% will NOT use a payment method that requires them to provide access to their bank account.

Digital merchants who rely solely on traditional payment methods, like credit cards, or alternative payment methods (APMs) that request bank account info, like some PayPal transactions, could be sending business to competitors who offer less risky checkout choices.

The right alternative payment method gives customers the peace of mind to shop safely.

Not all APMs are created equally. For example, some platforms allow customers to shop without a credit card, but they must share their bank account information instead—and, not surprisingly, some view that as an even riskier method of ecommerce shopping.

If you want to expand your digital store’s market to welcome risk-averse consumers, then it’s time to consider adding an alternative payment method like LEC billing. This simple checkout alternative allows customers to charge their purchase to their phone bill.

For more information about expanding your digital market to reach risk-averse consumers, contact the ILD Teleservices team about Bill to Phone. Our LEC billing will provide an online shopping experience that creates less risk for your customer and more revenue for you.

Do seniors find it easy to shop your ecommerce store? Or do they click off to find an easier shopping experience? Whether you actively court the senior set or haven’t yet realized the potential of the gray market, it might be time to make the adjustments that build and attract this potentially lucrative audience.

Forget about the old-school stereotypes of doddering grandparents. Seniors today are connected, in an increasingly big way. Consider these tidbits about older Americans:

• Seniors shop online. 77% of Internet users age 65 and older purchased products over the Web, according to a 2009 survey. (eMarketer)
• Seniors are embracing mobile. Use of smartphones, iPads and other mobile devices is rising among consumers over 55. And they’re using mobile in some, perhaps, unexpected ways. For example, 13% of users between 55 and 64 years old play mobile games. (Mashable)
• The senior market is ready to boom. By 2030, the over-65 market will double to more than 72 million Americans. (U.S. Census Bureau)

So what tactics can ecommerce merchants utilize to attract and retain this growing segment? The eMarketer article suggests a few possibilities for providing a better customer experience for senior shoppers, including:

• Incorporating large and easy-to-understand click buttons.
• Ensuring simple and uncluttered navigation.
• Using fewer boxes that might confuse a user.

Along with navigation and use accommodations, we’ll add another: incorporating alternative payment methods (APMs), like Bill to Phone, which allows customers to charge their purchases to their phone bill. Here’s how Bill to Phone, or LEC billing, makes digital businesses more attractive to the senior market:

• Makes buying easier. There’s no need to dig out reading glasses to read tiny credit card numbers; there’s no need to hunt for a card number or online account password that may not be handy. Instead, customers only need to enter info they’ll already know, such as their phone number.
• Reduces the risk of identity theft. There are no credit card numbers or bank accounts to transmit over the Internet, which means risk-averse seniors may be more comfortable clicking the buy button.

ILD’s alternative payment method, Bill to Phone, will help you connect with untapped audiences. Contact our APM team today to learn how LEC billing will lift revenue potential for your gray market.