Amazon is expanding its e-commerce empire. Although the online retailer has been selling mobile phones for years, it has launched AmazonWireless to serve the market in a more finely-tailored fashion.
AmazonWireless, which is in beta, is essentially the online retail equivalent of a 'microsite' and is quite simply designed to provide a one-stop shopping experience for US consumers looking for a new cell phone or service plan.
To start, AmazonWireless is selling phones and plans for AT&T and Verizon Wireless. More than 120 phones are on offer and Amazon is offering free two-day shipping on all of them. Consumers in the market for a mobile phone or mobile plan can shop by carrier, price, brand and features.
As Paul Ryder, Amazon's VP of Consumer Electronics, makes clear, AmazonWireless is all about experience:
The step-by-step purchase process on AmazonWireless makes it easy for customers who already have a plan to upgrade their phones. If you want to establish new cell phone service, we’ve made it simple to find the right phone, service plan and options for your needs. We’ve also eliminated the technical jargon and frustrating rebate paperwork that customers often face when buying a phone.
Amazon's press release goes on to state:
The site’s shopping cart guides customers through each stage of the purchase process, where customers will find familiar Amazon features like bestseller lists, detailed product descriptions and customer reviews.
Obviously the mobile phone market is an important one for an online retailer like Amazon and if AmazonWireless, by offering a user experience better geared towards this particular market, can help Amazon capture more of it, it could be a winner. It could also be a good case study for other retailers, some of whom could probably benefit from taking a similar 'microsite' approach.
Patricio Robles is a tech reporter at Econsultancy. Follow him on Twitter.
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6:17PM on 10th July 2009
So Amazon's moving in on Wirefly and LetsTalk's territory. I would have went with them if they were live when I was searching for a new cell phone.
4:11AM on 30th July 2009
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2:33PM on 31st July 2009
I'm actually surprised it took them so long. It's about time they expanded into mobile phones. Makes good business sense.
2:40PM on 28th August 2009
Interesting, but I think I'll stick to Mobile Phone Xchange. They offer more money and have clear aims (recycling the phones).
Worth taking a look at http://www.mobilephonexchange.co.uk/
11:46AM on 13th July 2010
Its nice and interesting to know that Amazon expanding services through Amazonwireless.There are many websites like www.sellmobilephonerecycling.co.uk for UK consumers to compare their mobiles for recycling and providing best services.
Cheers
Anderson