Usablenet, which built Crutchfield’s mobile site, recently partnered with PayPal to incorporate the mobile express checkout platform in its client’s mobile commerce-enabled sites. Vitacost is another company using the service.

“The mobile express checkout product allows mobile Web sites to enable a mobile payment mechanism,” said Anuj Nayar, director of global communications at PayPal, San Jose, CA. “Usablenet was an obvious partner.

“It’s pretty simple concept,” he said.  “Consumers are adopting mobile commerce very rapidly.

“The ability to check out using a mobile device is very difficult when you have to enter a 16-digit credit card number.”

Crutchfield is an electronics retail specialist.

PayPal, a subsidiary of eBay, lets members send money without sharing financial information, with the flexibility to pay using their account balances, bank accounts, credit cards or promotional financing.

Usablenet creates mobile-optimized versions of Web sites across multiple channels, including mobile phones and tablets

Usablenet customers include Amtrak, Delta, Estée Lauder, FedEx, Hilton, Marks & Spencer, Sprint, Tesco and Victoria’s Secret.  

Mobile money
On the top of Crutchfield’s mobile site, right next to the logo, the company states that it accepts PayPal payments.

Users can choose to log-in with their PayPal accounts and pay for products using the mobile express checkout.

Consumers can check out using PayPal’s mobile checkout service

Consumers can view their PayPal information

“Usablenet is clearly a fantastic partner,” Mr. Nayar said. “The one thing that’s very clear is that mobile commerce is really hot right now and partnerships like the one we signed with Usablenet create more interest.

“I think what we’re seeing is a lot of interest being driven by consumers,” he said. “Every retailer is looking for ways to make it easier for customers to buy from a mobile device.”

Mr. Nayar said that the company has a lot in store for 2011.

“As a company, eBay Inc. is clearly investing heavily in the mobile space,” Mr. Nayar said. “EBay acquired RedLaser, Milo, a local shopping catalog, and Critical Path Software.

“Clearly we’re going to be looking to maximize the acquisition in 2011,” he said. “Mobile is hot right now and it’s only going to get hotter.”