Here’s a look at buy buttons, how to use these buttons, and what to look out for when making an immediate purchase decision.
What Is a Buy Now Button?
Since the dawn of e-commerce, merchants have presented us with a process that mimics real life. After selecting items in a brick-and-mortar store, you place those items in a shopping cart or basket and head to the checkout line. Many online merchants now offer buy buttons that bypass this traditional process. Their e-commerce systems already store your shipping address, billing address, and payment information. They have all the information they need to process your requested transaction immediately.
Why Would a Consumer Use a Buy Now Button?
Buy now buttons are great for retailers but are these buttons helpful for consumers? While some users prefer to mull a purchase, others want to buy what they need and then move on. When you’re in a shopping cart, you may be tempted by product listings under headers such as “Others also purchased these items.”
Examples of Buy Now Buttons
Here’s a look at some examples of how e-commerce websites use buy now buttons. If you select Add to Cart, you’ll see a confirmation screen that shows that your cart has one or more items, depending on how many you added and how many were there before. In contrast, if you select Buy Now, you’ll see a screen confirming your shipping and payment information. Select Place your order, and you’ve purchased the item.
Audible
Social Media Buy Buttons
Be wary of buy now or shop now buttons on social media sites. Instead of immediately making a purchase, these buttons forward you to shopping sites containing the pictured product.
Use Buy Buttons Wisely
Ultimately, buy now buttons are shortcuts that allow you to purchase items immediately. If you have an account with the retailer and have payment and shipment information saved, it’s easy to skip the shopping cart and buy the item with one click. Buy now buttons help you bypass other promotions that might lead to impulse buys. These buttons also take away your chance to think through your current purchase.
