For most businesses, their point of sale system is often an afterthought. When you’re trying to launch a successful brand, there’s a lot to consider and a lot of moving parts. You need a logo, storefront, decorations, vendors, supplies, stock… the list could go on ad infinitum.
So it makes sense that a custom POS system may be the last thing on your mind. But if you’re not thinking about how you’ll process payments from the get-go, you could be putting your business at a disadvantage.
Without the right tools, you could be setting yourself up for long lines, frustrated customers, and ultimately lost sales. A quality POS system will save you time and money in the long run, making it a wise investment for any new business.
Here are just a few ways that a custom POS system can benefit your business:
Why Create a Custom POS for Your Business
In the last few years, there’s been a new trend in POS systems for small businesses. There are myriad suppliers and distributors selling payment modern payment terminals claiming to make business easier. However, most of these aren’t customizable.
No two businesses are the same.
Sure, depending on your industry, there may be an overlap in the functionality required from a POS system. But every business has its own quirks that need to be accounted for when designing a POS. Customer bases are different, products are different, and the staff operating the system will be different.
Tailoring your POS to the specific needs of your business will save you time and money.
Customers Expect a Seamless Experience
In our fast-paced world, customers have little patience for anything that gets in the way of their purchase. If they encounter a problem at your store – be it a long line, a confusing layout, or an unresponsive POS system – they’re likely to take their business elsewhere.
A custom POS can help you avoid these issues by ensuring that your system is designed with efficiency in mind. The right layout and design will keep lines moving quickly and smoothly, while the right software will make sure your transactions.
For instance, having the ability to add a thermal printer to your POS system could help keep all of your customers happy. Sure, most of us are comfortable operating in a digital world, but some customers – especially older generations – prefer a tangible receipt.
By being able to print receipts on-demand, you can keep everyone happy without slowing down the line (or scaring off a potential long-term patron).
Customers Expect Transparency
Speaking of receipts, customers also expect to see a breakdown of their purchase before they finalize the sale. No one likes being surprised by an unexpected fee or charge, and a quality POS system will make it easy for you to itemize each purchase. This is especially important for businesses that sell high-priced items – like jewelry.
With the addition of a customer-facing screen, your buyers will be able to see exactly what they’re being charged for. This not only minimizes the risk of a customer complaint or chargeback but also builds trust between you and your buyer. After all, customers are more likely to return to a store that is transparent about its pricing.
A POS System Can Help You Grow
The best POS systems are designed to be flexible and scalable. As your business grows, your POS system should be able to grow with you.
For instance, let’s say you start out selling only physical products in-store. But a few months down the road, you decide to start selling digital products – like e-books or downloadable software – as well.
If you’re using a custom POS system, it should be easy to add this new product type to your existing inventory. This way, you can start selling right away without having to switch to a new system (and incur all of the costs that come with that).
On the other hand, if you’re using a generic POS system, you might not be able to sell digital products at all. Or, if you can, it might be very difficult to set up. In this case, you would either have to forgo selling digital products altogether or switch to a new POS system – which could be costly and time-consuming.
Investing in a custom POS system now will save you a lot of headaches (and money) down the road.
You Know Your Business Best
At the end of the day, no one knows your business better than you do. You know your customers, your products, and your staff. So who better to design a POS system that meets your needs? Find a vendor that allows a modular approach to building your new POS — your future self (and customers) will thank you.
Need help designing the right combination of POS hardware for your business? Talk to our experts here.
