We know what you’re thinking. Change can be scary. Uprooting yourself from what you know can be daunting, and switching to a new point-of-sale can sometimes feel overwhelming. With Shopify, the seemingly insurmountable challenge of relearning everything you know is reduced to simply learning a few small things to get you started on your way to success.
We’ve seen it all before. Messy inventory, stagnant sales, an overall poor customer experience- they’re all signs that you need to switch up your POS. Sometimes a system just isn’t the right fit, but with Shopify POS this is an easy fix. If you’re battling these issues, you need a POS with efficient inventory management, one that makes sales, returns, and exchanges. A POS that makes omnichannel retail seamless and manageable for the common retailer. Shopify’s POS gives you all of this and more.
So, without further ado, here are 6 reasons why we think you should make the switch to Shopify POS.
1. Smarter inventory management
You must be tired of double-checking your inventory. That’s the catch-22 of using a POS from two different systems. With Shopify POS, both the online and in-store are integrated in a harmony better than avocado and toast. Our world is changing. Merchants that don’t recognise the opportunities that lie in omnichannel sales miss out on serious sales.
Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than overselling an item. Customers don’t want excuses, they want consistency. No matter where you sell, it’s integral that your POS automatically syncs inventory across all channels. Shopify POS does this for you, reconciling online orders, in-store inventory, and warehouse inventory. If you want a seamless shopping experience for your customers, this is where you’ll find it.
You might be thinking, “can’t I just do this manually?”- and yes, you have a point. The problem with manually reconciling inventory is that it’s a) tedious and b) prone to human error. When all this is done automatically you save a lot of time and effort. You will be able to tell exactly how much stock you have and where it is at any given time. You will also have insight into how well each product is selling, allowing you to make purchases based on your updated stock levels and performance. Imagine how much money you could save in administration costs!
With this kind of visibility, the power is at your fingertips, A unified commerce platform means less stock-outs and better customer experience overall.
2. A mobile POS for the modern retailer
The retail world is changing course. Retailers are no longer limited to their physical stores. You now have the option to sell your products where and when you want to. With Shopify POS, your POS goes where you do, whether that be trade shows, markets, or events. With compatible hardware like the Star Micronics mPOP All-in-One, the checkout moves with you. Hardware like tablets and smartphones can now be used to process transactions, and checking out on-the-go is as easy as downloading an app and tapping “checkout”.
Not all POS systems are designed this way. Whether it be outside or inside your store, Shopify POS allows you to take the checkout with you. Shopify POS shines in its ability to move the point of purchase wherever the retailer wishes it to go, reducing checkout friction and easing pressure on employees.
Nobody likes waiting in line, and these days customers are all about the fast checkout experience. When staff aren’t married to the checkout counter, they are able to provide a higher level of service. A mobile POS means that staff are better equipped to help customers with their inquiries and check stock availability without having to “check in the back”.
3. Make your POS your own
Everyone likes something different. With Shopify POS, there is a wide but easy to navigate pool of hardware that you can choose from to satisfy your needs. For a modern POS, you could go with the Star Micronics mPOP All-in-One, which offers a cash drawer, receipt printer and iPad stand in one sleek unit. For a more traditional POS there are options like the Shopify Complete KIT, which offers the same functionality in separate devices. If you’re stuck on what to choose, call us here to discuss your options. We are happy to help.
The ability to customise your Shopify POS extends even to the POS app itself. With the customisable Smart Grid, you can make your home screen your own. You’ll never have to worry about confusing menus or wading through long product lists. With Shopify, your POS molds to you and your hardware choices. You have the freedom to make your POS whatever you want it to be.
4. A wider variety of payment options
Gone are the days where cash ruled the checkout. These days, customers like to keep things simple. The development of NFC (near-field communication) technology has meant that smartphones and services such as Apple and Google Pay have become the kings of smart payment. By 2022, it is estimated that only 17% of all global payments will be made using cash. Digital wallet payments are the way of the future, and it’s retailers like you that will see this change fastest.
Customers love to tap-and-go. The ease and efficiency of this revolution in payment mean that the physical wallet is a thing of the past. Queues are simply not the same as the time that it takes to process payments is now dramatically reduced. While most POS systems are designed to process cash and card payments, not all systems are designed to accept NFC payments. Without this function, you’re basically throwing away money. Some people simply do not carry cards or cash anymore. Without this functionality, you are eliminating this entire demographic.
This is where Shopify POS really stands out. There’s nothing worse than dealing with banks or payment providers, signing long and confusing contracts and figuring out confusing payment rates. After all, all you want is to make paying for your goods or services easier. Shopify POS offers predictable fees and low transaction rates. Shopify is transparent about their fees and makes it easier to know exactly how much money you will be making from each sale. Shopify is also compatible with a large range of hardware that supports NFC payments, making the transition to a modern point-of-sale quick and easy. If you’re based in Australia, the Shopify card reader is not currently available, though it is coming! If you want to know more about how to choose suitable hardware or an EFTPOS terminal for your Shopify POS, contact us here.
5. Go paperless
We’ve all experienced the pain of trying to track receipts. Let’s face it, those little white pieces of paper couldn’t be more difficult to file. These days, everything is digital. Email has become our digital filing cabinet for receipts, coupons, invoices, and more.
No POS makes switching to digital easier than Shopify POS. With Shopify, customers can opt to receive an email receipt instead of a printed one. This not only saves the environment but allows customers to track their spending in an efficient, cost-saving way. Employees can input a customer’s email into a personalised customer profile, opening up communication with the customer even after they’ve left your store.
Gone are the days of sending coupons in the mail. With Shopify POS, you can send them straight to a customer’s email to keep them coming back.
6. Manage your staff efficiently
Managing staff can be a handful. With everything from creating rosters to monitoring performance on the daily schedule, it’s difficult to focus on what really matters. Shopify POS makes your to-do list easy. Keep everyone accountable with separate staff logins that allow you to see who is making the sales. Track cash register activity and monitor who is performing best.
Everyone likes to feel appreciated. You can now reward the staff that are exceeding expectations by seeing who is generating the most sales. (You can also see who may be falling behind and give them some much-needed encouragement.)
Use your POS to determine when you need staff on the floor. Locate trends in sales and busy hours and roster your staff for when you need them most. Shopify POS was designed to give you the insight you need in order to make informed choices for your business.
So, I hear you asking, how do you make the switch?
We at GORILLA LAB are here to help you answer that question. We are Shopify Experts and experts in Cloud Integration and compatible hardware and we are happy to answer any further questions you may have about switching over to Shopify POS. You’ve heard great things, but now it’s time to make the leap. Contact us here to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you.