Major digital payments networks are joining forces to deliver secure, simple checkout solutions to fuel the mass migration to digital commerce.

As the world shifts even further into digital commerce due to the current pandemic, the next generation of seamless payments with zero passwords, smart security and high-level data protection may soon be upon the e-commerce space.

‘Digital by default’ is becoming the norm, and shoppers now expect maximum convenience as they seek on-demand goods and services more than ever before. Even after the pandemic has blown over, such methods of commerce will likely stick with consumers at every level, according to one study by Mastercard.

To that end, in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, the credit card giant is broadening the reach of a ‘Click to Pay’ online checkout solution as part of a global expansion with American Express, Discover and Visa.

This ‘Click to Pay’ solution delivers streamlined payments across any digital checkout environment or network. According to Tim Fletcher, Senior Vice President, Acceptance Product Management, Asia Pacific, Mastercard: “Simplicity and security are at the heart of Click to Pay. Rather than having to key in account numbers and personal information every time, people simply click to make online purchases safely and quickly on websites, mobile apps or connected devices.”

For merchants, the Click to Pay solution aims to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty with a simpler, smoother digital checkout experience that lowers incidence of shopping cart abandonment, and offers people the choice of paying with various card brands. Intelligent authentication in the solution helps to distinguish customers at checkout, reducing fraud and false declines.

The solution had already been announced by the major payment networks mentioned above back in Oct 2019. Since then, more than 10,000 merchants have enabled the universal digital checkout solution for their customers. In APAC, the Click to Pay expansion includes technical preparations in Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore, with others to follow. Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom are also among the markets in the first wave of Mastercard’s global rollout of Click to Pay beyond the United States.

To expand acceptance beyond existing merchants, Mastercard is working with payments service providers, gateways and acquirers across the ecosystem to prepare for a streamlined online checkout that supports all participating networks.

“Mastercard’s digital mission started long before COVID-19 to deliver a range of fast, frictionless and secure payment options to consumers and merchants,” said Fletcher. “Now that shopping habits are shifting online so strongly, the expansion of Click to Pay is the next step in (our) commitment to offering the best digital experience everywhere and in every way.”