Barclays has added two new options to its Pingit mobile app, which was launched in February last year.
The original app allowed individuals to transfer money to each other by simply using their mobile phone number as identification. Customers didn’t need to share bank details but simply registered for the service.
From today the app can also be used for mobile-based online purchases and for buying from a print or on-screen advertisement.
Pingit’s new ‘mobile checkout’ solution can be used on a mobile web site or within an app, avoiding the need to enter payment details if the Pingit app is already installed.
The Pingit ‘buy it’ feature enables consumers to buy products directly from an advertisement by scanning a QR code. This causes Barclays Pingit to display the product information along with the option of an instant purchase.
Mike Walters, Head of UK Corporate Payments at Barclays, said “For mobile enabled businesses, this is a great way to increase sales conversion by reducing payment input errors and increased consumer assurance at checkout. For new players to the market, it is an easy, low risk way to enter into mobile commerce. Mobile commerce has grown more than 250% over the last two years and it is important that businesses provide consumers with a convenient and easy payment method through this channel.”