Twitter has started to enable ecommerce merchants to sell on their micro-blogging platform.
Starting with a small group of artists, brands, and nonprofit organizations, a small percentage of U.S. users (that will grow over time), will see some tweets featuring a “Buy” button, letting them buy directly from the Tweet.
The idea is that users will get access to offers and merchandise they can’t get anywhere else and can act on them right in the Twitter apps for Android and iOS; sellers will gain a new way to turn the direct relationship they build with their followers into sales.
It’s unlikely you’ll be able to convince buyers to purchase your run of the mill stock that you sell on you website or marketplaces. Selling on Twitter is more likely to be successful for short term specials such as last minute concert tickets or perishable one off goods – anything that is a temporary offer or has a sense of urgency is likely to be more successful.
Twitter partnered with partnered with Fancy, Gumroad, and Musictoday to build the new buy button and Stripe is the payment platform for the initial test, although Twitter says that more partners will follow soon.
