You’re in the market for a new POS system, but with so many choices available, what should you look for from your new POS software? It can be quite daunting to search through thousands of search results for the best POS systems, but in order to narrow down your choices, you’ll want to consider these helpful tips.
In this article, we’ll cover everything from you should get a POS system for your business as to why considering the POS company’s customer service record is so crucial to your purchase decision. Here is the ultimate guide on what to look for in your next POS system.
Why Choose a POS System?
So, what is all the hype about with POS systems, anyway? POS systems have revolutionized the way businesses process payments, but there’s much more to the POS system than just accepting credit cards. These systems are built to manage inventory more effectively, keep you organized with staffing and returns, and much more.
The advantage that a POS system has over traditional cash registers is that its mobile, secure, and versatile. Think of all you could do with a POS system you could access from anywhere at any time. You’ll get that accessibility with a cloud-based modern POS software.
Let’s move onto what you should consider before making a purchase decision. These tips will help you choose the best fit for your business needs.
Intuitive Interface
Software that’s difficult to use isn’t helping anything. POS software should be intuitive and easy to navigate. After all, you’re going to have to teach your staff how to use it. You won’t want to take up precious hours trying to explain complex software.
Most POS systems are very simple to use, but you should always try a demo before you buy anything, so you can get a feel for how the software operates and how easily you can navigate through it.
Inventory and Employee Management Tools
One of the best features of POS software is its ability to help manage inventory in real-time and keep track of employee hours and performance. Some POS systems allow you to set sales goals for employees throughout the day, so you can see who’s meeting their quota on a daily basis.
Inventory is a crucial component of any business, especially in a retail environment. Successfully managing inventory means tracking returns, stock orders, and getting accurate updates from your inventory software. A POS system can handle all of this and more; providing updates in real-time!
Customer Support
Anytime you’re buying new software for your business, you’re taking somewhat of a risk. You should always make sure that you’re buying software that comes with a support team behind it. When your software has an error, you don’t want to be left scrambling to find a solution with a Google search!
There are several POS options that offer 24/7 customer support, so no matter where you are or what time of day it is, your issue will be addressed and you can get back to managing your business. While 24/7 support isn’t exactly a necessary service that you should look for in a POS company, it’s certainly advantageous to have it.
Good Pricing Structure
Price is definitely an important consideration when you’re buying POS software, but too many businesses make the mistake of basing their decisions solely on the price of the software. Yes, you should find a POS system that fits your budget, but remember that the cheaper the software is, the more likely it is to be defective, ineffective, or won’t fit your needs.
That’s not to say that all of the POS software on the “cheaper” side of things is bad. You just need to compare features, customer service records, and the stability of the software before you make a decision. Don’t buy software simply because it falls under your budget.
Competitor’s Standing
A good way to gauge the value of software is to see where it falls in relation to the competition. Is the POS software you’re looking at above, below, or level with the competition? If the software falls below the competition consistently, you might want to look elsewhere.
Don’t forget to check customer reviews and tech reviews as well. Customers know a lot more about how a product functions than you could possibly learn from reading a product description.
Extra Features
While it’s certainly nice to have certain extra features with your POS software, you don’t want to get caught up in the “bells and whistles”. Color customization for the interface isn’t exactly a necessary component, but something like tax software integration can be quite useful. Just be sure you know the difference between practical extras and extras for the sake of raising the cost of the software. Only pay for what you need!