Visa enhances online payment service

Visa has been busy adding new retailers to its Visa Checkout online payment service, and now is rewarding them with an upgraded offering.



In April 2016, Visa will be releasing a set of new enhancements designed to improve both the consumer interface and ability for retailers to customize and integrate the service. Most features will be automatically available to retailers.



On the retailer side, new capabilities will include the ability to personalize the user experience with personalized messages and images based on how and where customers shop, as well as customized notifications and offers.



For consumers, improvements will include a new lightbox (the digital library that displays images and videos and dims the rest of the page) designed for smaller mobile screens, a streamlined checkout with automatic billing, and simplified sign-up options such as scanning an image of a payment card.



In recent months, Visa Checkout has gained major retail users including Kohl’s, Williams-Sonoma, Walgreens and Sam’s Club. However, data from Boston Retail Partners indicates only 14% of retailers currently accept Visa Checkout, with main rival Apple Pay set for major expansion this year. Visa is clearly looking to build on its early adopter base and stay current with the functionality retailers and customers seek.