Twitter is reportedly to start testing a “buy” button, a feature to enable users to buy products within the micro-blogging site, in an effort to generate more cash from its users.
The advertiser will be allowed to insert a Buy button in the posts and clicking on the button will help users buy the products advertised.
The feature is tested with a limited number of US users and a bunch of advertising partners including singer Rihanna, the non-profit organization Red fighting AIDS, etc.
Currently, users will have to send a public message to the seller with a special hashtag unique to the seller or the product in order to buy something through Twitter or click on a link which will take the user to the seller’s website or online store where they can order the products they want.
With this move, users need not exit Twitter and can order the goods at the click of a button. Initially tested only for mobile users, the Buy button will prompt the user to enter the payment details or to confirm the order if the details are already on the database of the buyer when clicked.
Twitter is initially aiming to sell only a limited range of products and will eventually include more categories based on how the audience welcomes the feature. Red has put up its first sales campaign on Twitter for the test with a $75 limited-edition T-shirt signed by David Guetta, music producer.
Twitter’s archrival Facebook was said to be testing a similar feature on videos allowing merchants to include a button letting viewers to order the product without exiting social network.
