Google upgrades checkout in time for holiday shopping season

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, Google has upgraded its checkout system and added perks for users. The upgrade centers around organizing and tracking online buys; in addition the checkout is offering buyer perks like free shipping and even frequent flyer miles for users.

by Kristina Knight

Here is how it works: the checkout will create a kind of log for users that tracks where a product was purchased online and the delivery status. This should help users stay abreast of where their packages are as the holiday creeps closer. Still, the upgrades don't give users the option of storing cash to use to buy more products, like the Paypal system does.

Many large online retailers have signed up for Google Checkout options. Brands like Aeropostale, CompUSA and Toys 'R Us all offer Google Checkout as an option.

With more users turning to e-tailing options this holiday season, the upgrades and perks that Google is offering could help them capture a bigger slice of the online shopping revenue pie. On Black Friday alone, more than $500 million was brought in through e-tailer websites. Researchers suggest that the 22% year over year increase in shopping may indicate a stronger online shopping season that originally thought.