Google Wallet eases online payment process

Google has improved the integration of its mobile wallet application with online retailers in a bid to stimulate mobile financial transactions.

From this week, on sites that accept Google Wallet, users will no longer need to enter their credit or debit card number, billing address or other payment information as the data is already stored in the secure application. To date, Google Wallet has only been able to carry out transactions in physical stores equipped with an NFC terminal, limiting its uptake.

“Typically, on mobile websites, you need to key in 17-20 fields of information on a small screen while having to click and scroll through multiple pages to provide shipping and billing information. It’s no wonder up to 97 per cent of mobile shoppers abandon their mobile shopping carts,” the firm said.

Google Wallet means users can: “Pay without entering your credit or debit card number, billing address, or other payment information — it’s already securely stored in your Google Wallet.” Users can also view credit and debit cards, shipping addresses and transaction history in one place online.

Over the summer, Google launched a cloud-based version of its wallet for the US market, allowing users to add Visa, American Express and Discover credit and debit cards, as well as MasterCard, to their wallets.

There is also a rumour circulating this week that Google is in the process of finalising a physical payment card that syncs with any account connected to Google Wallet. Peer to peer payments and public transport ticketing are also thought to be in the works as Google goes up against the likes of PayPal and Square.