Find The Best POS For Your Needs in 9 Easy Steps

Finding the best POS system for your business is crucial for efficient management. If you are wondering how to find a good POS system for your business, you came to the right place!

You can find a POS system for your business on the Internet, in select stores or through independent vendors. Listing your needs makes it easier to find the most relevant options for you.  

After all, there are a multitude of POS systems that suit different realities. In this article, you’ll learn how to find the best POS system for your business through 9 easy steps:

1. Decide Which Type of POS System You Want
2. Target the Right POS for Your Business
3. Recognize the Features That Are Critical to Your Industry
4. List Your Future Needs
5. Figure Out Your Budget
6. Research the Internet
7. Visit Local Stores
8. Try an Independent Salesperson
9. Talk to Your Network

1. Decide Which Type of POS System You Want

There are several types of POS systems to choose from, whether mobile, tablet, desktop or kiosks. Decide early on in your research what type of system you want to use! This will narrow down your choices to the ones that work for you. 

Mobile POS System

Did you know that there are POS apps for cell phones? By connecting a payment terminal, you can turn your device into a POS system! This option is ideal for small businesses and has the benefit of working virtually anywhere. 

However, if you need more equipment (like a scanner or printer), the mobile POS system becomes less suitable. So consider a tablet POS system!

Tablet POS System

The tablet has the benefit of offering the same advantages as a cell phone but with a larger touch screen. It is also easier to connect it to other devices such as scanners and printers. 

The tablet is a popular choice as a POS system for merchants of all types. It is versatile and easy to use. This is a great choice if you are looking for a middle ground between a cell phone and a computer for your POS system.

Computer-Based POS System

The computer-based POS system remains an interesting option for many businesses! Indeed, you can connect all your devices to perform transactions. 

The computer is also much more difficult to steal than a mobile phone or a tablet. It’s no wonder that so many restaurants and stores use computers as their POS system!

Self-Service POS System

Nowadays, we don’t even need cashiers to make sales! With self-service checkouts, customers take care of their transactions themselves. If you want to implement this type of checkout, you should certainly choose a POS system that is suitable for this purpose, such as a kiosk POS.

2. Target the Right POS for Your Business

Do you think all POS systems are the same and can be used by any business? Think again! No POS system that can do everything. Therefore, it is important to target your research towards systems that have functionalities tailored to the reality of your business. 

Retail Businesses 

When it comes to managing retail businesses, several features are important to have in a POS system. Whether it’s for invoicing or inventory management, a good POS software for your retail business should ease your daily activities. Looking for a POS system for your retail business? Get a free demo of Alice POS.

Restaurants

A well-designed restaurant POS system must be tailored to the reality of the restaurant business. Look for options that allow for menu control, ordering (in person and online), delivery and more. Also, make sure you choose a POS system that supports contactless payment!

3. Recognize the Features That Are Critical to Your Industry

To find the best POS system for your business, it’s important to think carefully about the features you need.

A good POS system should help you manage multiple tasks and provide the best possible service to your customers. So identify the features that are essential to your business’s operations in its industry. This will allow you to remain ahead of the competition! 

For example, if all your rivals offer a rental equipment service, chances are that your customers will expect you to do so as well. Therefore, to meet your customers’ expectations, it would be beneficial to implement a POS system that allows you to manage rentals. 

Do you need a little help figuring out which features are essential to your industry? We’re here to help! Check out our list of resources for various industries: 

• Craft Beer Stores
• Garden Centers
• Video Game Stores
• Ski Shops 
• Sports Stores
• Adult Stores 
• Music Stores
• Pet Stores
• Bicycle Shops
• Camera Stores
• Vape Shops

4. List Your Future Needs

When you are looking for a new POS system, it is not enough to think about the features you currently need. It is also important to consider your future goals. This will help you make the right choice not only in the short term but also in the long term! Try to find the right POS system that can grow with you.

For example, if you have a physical store and plan to launch an online store in the next few years, it would be wise to choose a POS system that allows for inventory synchronization. You’ll be grateful when the time comes! 

Also, stay on the lookout for POS systems that allow for multiple integrations with different partners. The more integration your POS system has, the least restricted you will be in your choices both now and in the future.

Thinking about the future of your business is an important step when looking for a POS system. Do you have ideas of grandeur and would like to create a franchise banner with your business? Then try to find an option that allows for multi-site management. Find out why Alice POS is the best option for multi-store networks.

These situations are just a few examples of projects you should consider as you search for a good POS system to run your business. After all, you wouldn’t want to find a new POS system every time you try to innovate, right? 

No matter where your business currently is and where you want to take it, there are POS systems that can help you. Knowing your goals from the start means you’ll have an easier time finding the right solution for your needs.

5. Figure Out Your Budget

The last step before you begin the actual search of a POS system is to set your budget. You probably know this, but implementing a new technology never comes without any costs! 

First, you need to purchase POS equipment. A fully functional POS is made up of 6 types of equipment. Obviously, it depends on the type of POS you choose (mobile POS doesn’t require as much, for example), but that is still the basic equipment for retail and restaurants. 

Second, POS software usually offers monthly or yearly payment plans. Beware: don’t rely solely on the price of the software to judge if it is right for you. Depending on the features, a POS software that costs more can save you money! If it allows you to increase your productivity, you will certainly win. 

When doing your research, keep in mind a general price point that you are willing to pay.

6. Research the Internet

Now that you’ve established the outline of your needs, it’s time to look into POS systems that can meet them! 

A quick and easy way to learn about the various options available to you is to search the Web. This method is ideal to find both software and hardware for a POS system. 

See what the POS market has to offer by visiting reviews site like Capterra to help you in your research.

To make your search easier, rely on the list of requirements you have prepared. This will make it much simpler for you to find POS systems that offer the features you want. Also, don’t forget to aim for solutions that fit your industry. 

You have the opportunity to easily compare different choices. Don’t hesitate to ask for quotes or attend tool demos! It will be easier for you to make comparisons.

7. Visit Local Stores

For hardware equipment, such as scanners, printers, terminals and more, you may find them in selected stores. You have the choice of visiting a major electronics store or a smaller specialized store. 

Find your POS software first, if possible, before you buy your equipment. As a matter of fact, the compatibility with the different equipment varies according to the software. Sometimes, the POS software company also sells the equipment. Therefore, you should wait before shopping for new POS equipment.

8. Try an Independent Salesperson

If you’d like to have guidance when looking for a POS system, an independent seller may be able to help you! They can walk you through the various options available and offer you solutions that are tailored to your needs. 

These services are great for people who want to find the best POS system for their business but don’t have much time to do their research.

9. Talk to Your Network 

Along with your personal research, don’t hesitate to talk to your contact network! If you are part of a buying group or a franchise, it can be beneficial to use the same POS system as the other members. In the case of franchises, this allows you to offer the same customer experience and services regardless of the store. 

Talking to your network is also an opportunity to learn about other people’s experiences with various POS systems. You can then take your thoughts further to make the best choice for you. 

By following the 9 steps outlined in this article, your search for the best POS system to use in your business will be much easier! Knowing what features you need will help you make more informed decisions. Don’t wait any longer: head to the Internet, stores or independent vendors to find the right POS system for you!