Deciding on which POS system to purchase for your business can be a difficult process. The market is full of great options, and more and more POS solutions become available every year. What are the best options? What should you look for in a POS system? What should you avoid?
All of these questions will be asked before your final decision is made, but we’re going to make it easier for you.
Here we’ll discuss how to find the best POS system for your business. These tips will help you avoid falling into the price trap and keep you focused on exactly what you need for your business.
Let’s Talk About Price First
Ah yes, price. This is usually where people start when they’re shopping. How much does it cost? Does it have any long-term costs, hidden fees, etc.? You’re not wrong to look at the price of your new POS software; after all, you’re going to need to make room in your business budget for a new expense, and if you can’t afford certain software, it’s completely off the table.
However, price shouldn’t be your only consideration, and, quite frankly, it shouldn’t be your first consideration, either.
Price only tells you so much about a product. It doesn’t tell you how the product functions, the level of customer service you’ll get from the company, or how the software will serve your business’s needs.
Generally, the “cheaper” something is, the lower quality it is. This isn’t always true, but the old saying “you get what you pay for” is certainly true for most things.
You don’t always need the most expensive option, but you want to be sure to find something that fits your exact requirements, and this might mean paying a bit more.
What Do You Need Your POS System to Do?
Your first consideration should be what you’re looking for out of the POS system. Are you looking for a system that does it all, like Vend’s POS system, or do you need something more stripped-down like Square POS? Knowing what you need from your POS system can help you avoid paying for extra features that you might never use.
Consider the following when you’re looking for a POS:
- How you manage inventory currently
- What payment methods you currently accept
- How you’re managing employee hours and sales goals
- How you’re getting data on sales trends
- How you’re processing payments on your eCommerce site
- How you’re collecting customer data
A POS system can do all of this and more, but you need to know which of these features you must have and which you can do without before you make a decision.
Always remember to try a demo first, as you’ll want to get a good idea of how the software functions before you pay for it. The software you choose might turn out to be a poor fit for your business.
Consider the Learning Curve
Let’s say you find a POS system that can do everything you need it to, but once you download the demo, you find that it’s overly-complex. Do you move forward, purchase it, and deal with the learning curve, or skip it?
You have to remember that you’ll be teaching your team to use whatever software you purchase, and the longer it takes for them to learn to use it, the more frustrating it will become.
You don’t want to hold up the line because an employee doesn’t know how to look up a product or enter a discount code.
POS software should be intuitive and easy to navigate for the best results. Make it easy on your employees and your customers by choosing simple but powerful software.
Don’t Settle for a Brand Without a Good Reputation
Last, but certainly not least, you should consider the brand’s customer service and product quality reputation. Look for reviews on the web about the level of customer service you can expect. Is there a support line available for issues? Is there a refund policy? What kind of payment program is offered? (Monthly, yearly, etc.) Does the product function well, and do what it’s supposed to?
POS software is one business tool where you don’t want to settle for less. Remember that your POS system will be managing some pretty important aspects of your business, so using a sub-par product or brand can only mean problems down the line.
The Take-Away
A POS system can take your business to the next level in terms of organization, management, and customer service, but only if you consider carefully what you’re looking for. Follow these tips to find the best POS software for your individual needs, and remember that price isn’t everything!
