In the dynamic world of ecommerce, savvy businesses are constantly seeking innovative strategies to optimize their online shopping experience. Two alternative payment methods, Afterpay and Buy with Prime, have emerged as powerful tools to increase conversions. So, in this article, we provide a deep dive into each tool, explaining what these alternative payment methods are and evaluating the pros and cons of implementing them on your ecommerce site.

Afterpay 

Afterpay is a pioneering “buy now, pay later” payment platform that has taken the ecommerce world by storm. Designed to provide shoppers with greater flexibility and affordability, Afterpay allows customers to make purchases instantly and divide the total cost into interest-free installments. So, instead of paying the full price upfront, buyers can choose to pay in four equal installments over a specified period of time.

Pros of Afterpay

  1. No fees for customers – Afterpay provides 0% interest options when paying in full between four equal installments.
  2. Increased sales – Offering Afterpay as a payment option can increase sales for ecommerce sites, as it allows customers to make larger purchases without becoming deterred by the upfront cost.
  3. Potential to get shoppers to spend more – When an ecommerce checkout includes Afterpay, customers see their out-of-pocket cost at purchasing time reduced by 75 percent. This can result in a higher cart total since it allows shoppers with budgetary constraints to order more products.
  4. Higher conversion rates – As with any update that simplifies the buying experience, offering Afterpay will likely increase the conversion rate of your ecommerce site.
  5. No credit checks – Afterpay does not require a credit check, adding appeal to customers who may not have a good credit score or simply don’t want to apply for a credit card. 

Cons of Afterpay

  1. Fees – While Afterpay does not charge interest, they do charge late fees if payments are missed, which can be a financial burden for some customers. 
  2. Risk of customers failing to pay – If a customer fails to make their Afterpay payments, the ecommerce site may not receive the full payment for the purchase, which can lead to financial losses. 
  3. Limited availability – Afterpay is only available in certain countries, which could limit the potential audience for businesses offering it as a payment option. 

Buy with Prime 

Buy with Prime is a streamlined payment method offered by Amazon. As part of the Amazon Prime membership program, Buy with Prime allows Prime members to skip the hassle of entering their payment and shipping details for every purchase outside of the Amazon marketplace; they can simply click the “Buy with Prime” button, and the transaction is swiftly processed using the information stored in their Amazon account.

Pros of Buy with Prime

  1. Reputable brand – With Amazon being a well-known and trusted brand, offering Buy with Prime as a payment option can give consumers more confidence in the ecommerce site. 
  2. Easy to use – Buy with Prime is a quick and easy way to make purchases for customers who already have an Amazon account with an active Prime membership.
  3. Increased sales – The added trust and convenience of allowing customers to make purchases through their Amazon account can lead to increased conversion rates.

Cons of Buy with Prime

  1. Limited to Prime members – Customers who do not have a Prime membership will not be able to utilize this payment option, potentially excluding a portion of the customer base.
  2. Dependency on Amazon – Relying heavily on Amazon as a payment option may lead to a dependency on the platform, making ecommerce sites vulnerable to any changes or policies implemented by Amazon.
  3. Potential for increased competition – By offering Buy with Prime, businesses may inadvertently remind customers to check Amazon for alternatives.
  4. Transaction fees and commissions – While specific details may vary, businesses utilizing Buy with Prime may be subject to transaction fees or commissions imposed by Amazon. These fees can impact profit margins, particularly for businesses with lower-priced items.

Shopify Integration

If your ecommerce site is on Shopify, integrating Afterpay and Buy with Prime can be accomplished in a few steps. Here’s how it works:

  1. Set up an account with Afterpay and Amazon Pay – Before you can integrate Afterpay and Buy with Prime into your Shopify store, you’ll need to create merchant accounts with both services. Register for Afterpay at https://www.afterpay.com/for-merchants. Amazon Pay can be found at https://pay.amazon.com/signup. 
  2. Install the Afterpay and Amazon Pay apps on your Shopify store – Visit the Shopify App Store and search for “Afterpay” and “Amazon Pay”; follow the on-screen instructions to install each app.
  3. Configure the Afterpay app – After installing the Afterpay app, you’ll need to enter your Merchant ID and Secret Key. Afterpay will provide these credentials when you set up your merchant account.
  4. Configure the Amazon Pay app – Similar to the Afterpay app, you’ll need to configure the Amazon Pay app by entering your Merchant ID, Access Key, and Secret Key. Amazon Pay will provide these credentials when you set up your account.

Conclusion 

In an increasingly competitive ecommerce landscape, providing customers with seamless payment options is crucial for driving conversions and fostering customer loyalty. Afterpay and Buy with Prime have emerged as powerful alternative payment methods that offer convenience, trust, and increased sales potential. However, it’s important to reiterate that these tools have potential disadvantages. Consider the cons discussed above before implementing either payment method, and remember to monitor the impact on your ecommerce performance if you test Afterpay and/or Buy with Prime.