It’s safe to say that we’ve finally reached a point where hard cash and cash registers have become rather obsolete. Even credit card processing systems and hardware don’t do the trick anymore and, considering how technology has progressed over the years, and it’s not surprising in the slightest.
Making the correct choice when it comes to new and state-of-the-art POS systems requires some knowledge and skill. The big issue people have here is that there are many different, yet effective platforms that offer POS solutions. So, which one is the best one? In this review, we’ll be talking about what to look out for when choosing your first POS system. Here’s what you need to do:
Define the Needs of your Business
First thing’s first – you’ll need to openly define what you want with your business and what it needs. This includes functions, features, services, inventory, the checkout process, and even customer management and relationship. The thing is, not all POS systems can support what you’re looking for, so this should hopefully sift all the incompatible ones right away and leave you with the ones that are capable of fulfilling the needs of your business.
Additionally, have a chat with your employees – their opinion and happiness (as well as efficiency and productivity) matter as well.
Set a Budget
It’s no surprise that you won’t have unlimited resources to deal with so setting a budget is crucial. It all depends on the size of your business and what you need from a POS system. Your usual desktop-based programs and software require between $1,200 and $2,500 for a license (for a single user).
There are also cloud-based POS systems that are vastly superior to traditional ones and can range from being free to around $50-$200 a month (again, depends on the complexity and size of the business).
Audit and Compare POS Systems
Try to find some industry feedback and reviews on POS systems to get a feel for what is good and what isn’t. Experiences also matter (as for everything in life) so be sure to talk to other retailers that have opted for a POS system. There are many ways to do this, and it’s up to you – ask up front, search LinkedIn, check on forums, and even call vendors to see how they’ve chosen the correct POS system.
Get the Set-up Right
When you’ve finally reached a decision on which POS system you want, it’s time to set it up as best as possible. This means getting all the crucial software and equipment. The set-up itself depends on what kind of POS you’ve chosen (alongside the requirements and size of the business). The POS vendor should give you instructions on how to set it up but, if you run into any issues, make sure to contact them for help. It’s better to get it right from the start than trying to figure out what’s wrong and fixing it.
Make the Most of your POS System
Once the system is in place and ready to start working, you’ll want to maximize its efficiency and use. This comes down to picking and getting apps, extra POS-enhancing hardware, and various add-ons. A great idea that you should practice is to establish a warm relationship with your POS vendor as, not only will they help you with servicing the POS system, they’ll also be there for you to give a hand in expanding your expertise and business.
Conclusion
The truth of the matter is, choosing and setting up a POS system isn’t easy, and you probably won’t be able to do it yourself. You’ll need all the help you can get, but once it’s up and running, it gets easier. Remember – keep your POS vendor close for the reasons we already mentioned. You don’t want to be left alone with a faulty POS system that might be very easy to fix if only you contact the vendor. If you need help – ask; there’s nothing wrong with having someone else give you a hand!
Guest post: About the Author
With over 10 years in the financial vertical, focusing mainly on debt, Kevin Tomlinson is an experienced writer with the best tips and tricks for dealing with debt of any sort.