How To Find The Right POS System For Your Franchise?

So you’ve made the decision to purchase a POS system for your business; where do you begin? Choosing a POS system can be time-consuming if you’re unsure of what to look for, and since there are so many systems available out there, it can quickly become overwhelming. We’ve put together this short list of some features your POS system should have, as well as considerations for your business’s budget and needs. Keep reading to learn more about how to find the right POS system for your franchise.

What Makes A Good POS System?

If you’re going to spend money on something, you’ll want to get your money’s worth out of the product or service. POS systems are no different. While they come in many different varieties, some with supporting hardware and some being only software programs, we believe that POS software should at least meet a few standards:

• The software’s interface should be simple and easy to navigate
• Inventory tracking should be included
• Tech support should be available (preferably 24/7)
• The soft/hardware should have good reviews by users
• The company providing the POS system should have a good reputation for excellence
• The learning curve shouldn’t be too steep

By following these simple standards, you can ensure that you’re purchasing a POS system that will not only meet your specific needs, but that will also continue to serve you for many years to come. Making that initial investment completely justified.

There is nothing worse than purchasing something only to find that it’s unreliable, incredibly difficult to use, or simply doesn’t perform the way it was presented as performing. Adhering to these standards gives you a basis to work from. From there, you can choose any extra features or tools you want to be included in your POS package.

Simple Interface:

A simple interface not only makes transactions completed on your POS software quicker and more efficient but also makes the learning curve for new users much less steep. It can be frustrating on both the customer and employee side of things when new software is difficult to use. A new user may have difficulty completing a transaction, creating anxiety for both themselves and the customer.

A simple and intuitive interface can mean the difference between quick transactions and frustratingly slow ones. Be sure to choose software that put a lot of thought into the layout and navigation of their interface. If the learning curve seems too steep to be able to quickly train new users on it, it’s probably best to find a different POS system for your business.

Inventory Tracking:

We believe real-time inventory tracking should be included in every POS system. This amazing tool helps better manage and track your inventory, identifying losses quicker, preventing errors, and sending notifications when stock runs low.

The inventory tracking process, when completed manually, can involve hours of inventory counts, recounts, and costly edits. Modern POS systems are efficient and accurate with their counts, reducing costs (and stress) for your entire team.

Real-time inventory counts also mean that you’ll be aware when your customers’ favorite products are running low, so you can always keep them stocked and keep the customers coming into your store. There’s nothing more frustrating than attempting to locate a product for a customer, only to find the count was done incorrectly and the item isn’t actually in stock.

Tech Support:

Would you purchase a computer if you knew there would be no technical support available to assist you? Probably not. That should also apply to POS systems. You’ll want to make sure there is a tech support team available through either the company you purchased it from or a third party company.

There will almost definitely be issues along the way, as no soft/hardware is perfect. Errors are a fact of life with technology, so having the right team to quickly guide you through them is essential.

Reviews:

Ensuring both the company and its products have good reviews among your peers and from technical review sources should be a huge consideration for you before making a purchase. No one understands how the product will operate in a real-world scenario better than the people using it on a daily basis. Always check the reviews and pay attention to any trends among them. The best POS system will have overall positive reviews, with negative reviews quickly addressed.

Your Budget And Needs:

Most of all, you’ll need to consider your business’s budget and overall needs before making a decision on POS software. Do you need tons of extra tools or only a barebones POS system? What does your budget look like? Does the POS system come with monthly or per transaction fees?

These are important questions to ask yourself before you decide on your software. The best tools will be custom tailored to your business. It can be helpful to create a list of features you’d like to have, as well as an honest assessment of your business budget to see if you can afford what you need.

Conclusion:

With the right POS system for you, your business will become more efficient and better able to meet the needs of its customers. There’s nothing better than a quick, painless checkout process, and the right POS system can provide just that. Don’t just serve your customers, make them feel welcome and cared for by making the shopping process seamless. You’ll generate the trust needed to build loyal customers for life!