With so many POS software choices out there, finding one that fits your exact needs can be challenging, if not exhausting. The market is oversaturated with choices; some of which aren’t worth the money they’re charging. The best POS software is versatile, affordable, and gets the job done. How do you find this software? It’s quite simple: you follow these five tips for selecting the best POS software for your business. Keep reading to learn how to choose the best POS software available.
- Don’t Be Distracted By Bells and Whistles
Many POS systems are loaded with extra features, but sometimes, those features are completely unnecessary for running a business and only serve as a distraction. While it’s important to find a POS system that offers all of the features you need to successfully process payments and manage your business, it’s equally as important to be aware of which features will actually be useful in your business.
The core features of the modern POS system are inventory management software (including a product catalog), payment processing tools, data collection, and customer profiles. In order to get the most out of your POS software, it should at least have these core features. Inventory management software will track your inventory in real-time in most cases, providing accuracy and consistency in an aspect of your business that requires both.
Features are important in a POS system, but which features you truly need will depend on your individual business. Stay focused on what’s necessary rather than the extras that look good.
- Choose a Scalable Service
If you’re running a business, normally the hope is that someday your business will grow; and keep growing for years to come. With that in mind, you need to choose a POS service that can grow with your business. Choosing POS software can be time-consuming, costly, and tiring, so why do it twice? Choose a system that’s scalable; one that will grow with your business so that you don’t have to repeat the process over again in two years when your business doubles its operations.
This should be a prime consideration for your POS choice. There are POS systems specifically built for small businesses, large operations, and everything in between, but the best POS software can grow as your business grows and scale with your operations. This saves you time and money and makes your choice a permanent one.
- Pick the Software That Fits Your Industry
With so many options available, you’ll need to narrow down your search a bit. You can do this by searching for POS software specifically designed for your industry. For instance, if you’re a restaurant owner, there are dozens of POS options specifically designed for the restaurant industry. These POS systems will have restaurant-inspired tools and features that may serve no purpose in a retail or eCommerce environment.
Luckily, there are plenty of options for just about every industry available today. Retail stores and eCommerce sites should have no trouble finding the right POS software for their industry. Form there, it comes down to narrowing down features, price, and ease of use before you make a final choice. Be sure the POS software you’re looking at isn’t designed for another industry; otherwise, you could end up with something you can’t actually use.
- Keep Price in Mind
Price is probably one of the first considerations you’ll have when searching for your POS software. It’s important to choose a POS system that not only fits within your budget, but that also provides everything you need for the cost. This is why it’s so important not to get distracted by bells and whistles. Focusing on those shiny features instead of the core tools you need to run your business usually ends up with you spending more money than you have on something you don’t need.
When you’re considering price, you have a few options. POS systems either charge a monthly fee, an upfront fee, or a per-transaction fee. Some POS systems utilize a combination of two or more of these fee structures, but overall, these three are the most common and will affect how you pay for your software.
- Ease of Use
You don’t want to purchase a POS system that’s too complex or difficult to learn how to use. Remember that you will have to train employees on how to use the software, as well as learn to use it yourself. The more time you have to set aside for software training, the less efficient your business will be. Choose software with an intuitive and easy to use interface for maximum results.
Ease of use doesn’t just mean easy to learn; it also means the software is simple enough that items can be added or modified easily, prices adjusted on the fly, or gift cards scanned with ease. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the more complex your software is, the more useful it is.