Facebook is testing a new 'buy' button on its website that will let consumers purchase and pay for products without leaving the social networking site. The button will appear in ads in News Feeds and on Pages.
Facebook described the new service as a test with a 'few small and medium-sized businesses' currently in the US and represents the company's latest effort to play a bigger role in the e-commerce business. Facebook added that the new Buy button will be available on the mobile and desktop PC version of its website and will allow consumers to purchase goods directly from participating businesses. A Facebook spokesperson added that all the credit card transactions will be handled by a third-party payment processing company and Facebook is currently not taking any portion of the revenue for products sold with the Buy button, but "it won't count out doing so in the future".
'None of the credit or debit card information people share with Facebook when completing a transaction will be shared with other advertisers, and people can select whether or not they’d like to save payment information for future purchases,' the company said in a blog post.
Facebook has also introduced missed call ads in India in an effort to generate adverting revenue. The service allows smartphone users to click a button and give missed call and then receive a return call from the advertiser. Facebook said, "We've seen positive results in early tests with advertisers like Garnier Men and plan to scale this product in the coming months".
Recently Amazon launched its #AmazonCart in India that lets you shop from within Twitter. The service allows users to add products to their shopping carts without leaving the micro blogging site. Amazon India's #AmazonCart tagline says "Add it now. Buy it later. Shop from within Twitter."
Source: Facebook