The days of cash registers and manual sales reports are long gone. Primary forms of transactions are now being digitized using the effortless Point of Sale Systems. You no more have to carry hard cash with you at all times when mobile wallets and credit cards have taken up the center stage.
Within a few years of its launch, POS systems have gained their fame in the world of both online and offline businesses. This method of commercial exchanges can manage your sales, inventory, enhance business revenues, and make customer payment simpler.
How does a POS work?
The purpose of a POS system is to digitize and automate your business transactions. Plugging in Shopify Point of Sale Software transforms your iPad or the primary sales device into a payment terminal or digital cash register.
You can not only charge your customers’ credit cards but also automatically synchronize sales reports, inventory records, and customer information in the Shopify store.
Moreover, you can also browse through your catalog, register cash transactions, print or email receipts as needed. This also allows you to collect contact details of your customers for future promotions and marketing.
Unique pricing structure
Shopify offers a wide variety of plans for businesses of all sizes. While the base price for most offline stores is $79, you can personalize features starting from $29 to fit the needs of your store.
From small retail stores to big enterprises, Shopify plans and rates cover all businesses. Their Lite feature plans are priced low, especially for micro-businesses.
The system also has advanced features such as customizable employee permissions, inventory features that come with new Shopify POS Pro at a base price of $118. These prices are a little too steep for small businesses. However, owners with more than one brick and mortar store can make use of the advanced features to boost the business.
Advanced payment specializations
Keeping in mind the need for social distance in the current scenario, Shopify has also released an advanced version of itself. These payment add-ons include:
- Accepting two or more payment options
- Gift cards
- Custom payments
- Multiple sales channels
- Refunds and store credit.
You can now accept more than one type of payment or even split tenders in one transaction. You can also create gift cards for your customers. These can be emailed or printed on your receipt, and customers can redeem them online or offline stores. Shopify has also extended this facility to Lite and other low budget plans in light of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Buy Button feature can be used to embed a link that allows you to sell via multiple channels such as your website or Amazon, eBay, Instagram, etc.
Moreover, you can also give out store credit with a POS system instead of refunding any amount to the customer directly.
Brand new features of Shopify POS
In the current situation, business owners can also manage the curbside pickup, local deliveries, etc. with Shopify’s latest interface.
An omnichannel search of a business helps you manage both online and offline sales via a centralized hub. Moreover, you can also easily access inventory performance or transfer the records online.
Delivery options have also been enhanced, which now include local deliveries, ship to the customer in case of low in-store inventory, and curbside pickup, with reasonable shipping rates added during checkout.
You can avail of improvised app integration and analytics that help you limit foot traffic and understand details of the performance curve.
Shopify POS Pro
The features only get better with Shopify POS Pro, which is now free through October 31, 2020. It allows brick-mortar stores to open up for online business. Some add-ons that are bound to grab the limelight of this version are:
- Staff roles in creating employee roles and permissions to give full or partial access to management accordingly.
- Email carts let customers browse online and buy in-store and are aimed at saving time and social distancing.
- Buy online, and pick up is the next level that allows one to shop online and pick up from the store.
- QR codes are for customers who require more details about specific products. This effectively reduces interaction with the staff as the customer can scan the codes and proceed to buy them from the store or website.
Hardware needs to run Shopify
You don’t need a ton of things to use a POS system, an android tablet, an iPad, or even a smartphone is enough. As long as you have an internet connection and a web browser, you can set up your online store with a mobile device.
However, if you’ve to buy inventory in bulk or export reports, you will need a laptop. The computer is for back end setups and admin functions.
Shopify gives you one free card reader during the time of purchase, and any additional ones need to be separately paid for. Although you can upgrade to contactless tap and chip reader, there’s no need for one initially.
Performance and user experience
The application fluently works on both iOS and Android devices, which comes handy for transactions online, offline, as well as in the case of a pop-up outlet.
The lag-free interface allows you to process orders, take payments, swipe cards as well as print receipts smoothly. With decent connectivity, you are always in sync with the latest version of your business site irrespective of the device.
You can not only set yourself up in the system in a jiffy but also free trial version. This assists you in understanding the needs of your business before you are ready to invest in a POS.
With all components in order on the dashboard, it should be simpler to handle all your business aspects in one place.
Final verdict
The Shopify POS is an all-round package of features and functions brought to you alongside affordability. This should be among your top choices of POS systems to introduce in your business.
The 24/7 customer support, along with a robust foundation of technology and adaptation makes for a foolproof structure for success.
