Your business has one thing in common with every other business out there…communication is key! Every element of your business should coincide with one another in a way which makes day-to-day tasks simpler and faster. Of course, this is a lot easier said than done, though. You need direct communication between departments within your business in order to run an efficient office, retail store, or restaurant. Therefore, you’ll need to do adequate research and choose a point-of-sale system giving you and your business effortless communication functionalities.
Large vs. Small Businesses
Small businesses don’t run into the same problems large businesses do, and this definitely includes communication issues. Asking a question across the room is a lot simpler than shooting out an email to dozens of people and waiting for replies. This is why there are POS systems designed for the unique needs of businesses of all sizes.
Running a small business means you will have much faster communication, but you still need some organization. Mid-sized and large businesses must have both.
Relaying information across multiple channels and employees opens you up to a host of complications and widens the gap for miscommunication and bad information. It’s easy to drop the ball when facts must go through several steps.
The traditional point-of-sale systems are being replaced every day because they simply can’t accommodate the speed at which we are accustomed to getting our information. Even mom and pop businesses who have been using pen and paper for decades are starting to understand and accept the brilliance of modern technology and all the ways today’s POS systems can help them!
Business Growth
It’s the goal of every business to grow. It’s the goal of every business owner to have tools and skill to keep up with growth. Your POS system is a gigantic part of it! When you are shopping for the right point-of-sale system, you will definitely need to consider the current size of your business and shop within the bracket designated for your business of similar size. If you choose carefully, there’s no need to buy an oversized, high-priced system for a small or mid-range business in hopes you will grow into it!
The POS company you choose should be willing to help you narrow down the search in terms of your current business size. From there, you should look at these key features of your business to find the perfect point-of-sale system to support your business at its current size and also allow it to grow:
First off, you’ll need to choose a system that is easy to update. Pen and paper didn’t last, and, unfortunately, neither will your current POS system. Nevertheless, there are a lot of systems on the market today which has built-in upgrades and features allowing you to add equipment and software rather than making you buy a brand-new system when yours becomes out of date. Research systems which translate well from one tier to another, and ask questions about how easy/complicated it is to move from a small business system to a mid-sized one – as well as how you’ll know it’s time to upgrade!
Second, look at the type of equipment the system uses. It’s important to use a system who utilizes high-quality equipment, for obvious reasons. Fewer repairs and replacements saves you money and a lot of frustration!
Systems that employ iPads have been the most consistent and easiest to update over several years. It’s true iPad systems have the most features, including the ability to promote deals and special values, update the menu, make notes about regular customers, and customize orders. These are all things that will save you money and improve the customer service in your establishment.
Third, not finally, think about the types of payment you are equipped to accept. There are dozens of considerations which can determine which is the best POS system for your business, but this one is the third most important in our humble opinion, and you may find it’s top three for your customers as well! If you want your business to grow, it’s inevitable you need to have a way to accept multiple payment types, including Apple pay, Google pay, and many more.
We can’t possibly know what’s around the corner in these areas of technology, but as a business owner, you can be prepared with up-to-date equipment and software! Your point-of-sale system can also help you keep track of payments, making it easier to look up specific transactions, find clerical errors, and keep up with online orders. When everything is combined into one simple system, you won’t have to search through multiple physical and virtual locations to find the information you need.
Fewer Mistakes, Less Guessing
Let’s be honest, we’re all fans of getting things right the first time. However, some businesses depend on customers coming back regardless of how many errors they make. Every employee will make an honest mistake from time to time, while others don’t take pride in their work and have no incentive to strive for excellence. No matter what the reason, your customers will most likely perceive mistakes as carelessness and look elsewhere for the same products and services.
An iPad POS system can help you reduce the number of errors you and your employees make on a daily basis. Attention to detail will automatically translate to a more positive image with your patrons, making them more willing to choose you again next time. This is true regardless of the type of business you are in.
When growth becomes a hot topic for your business, you’ll find yourself looking in many different areas of the business to find an edge. The single best thing you can do to support and encourage growth within your business is to invest in a high-quality point-of-sale system specifically designed to meet the needs of a growing business!
