Let’s face it: your entire operation relies on a point of sale (POS) solution — everything from inventory and sales to barcodes, labels, forecasting, and more.
Retailers use POS systems to streamline operations and improve customer service because, at the end of the day, it’s all about pleasing your customers.
But on the flip side, you should be pleased with your solution, too! If your point of sale system isn’t making your job easier every day, you might be using the wrong one for your business. But how can you find the right one?
In this blog, we’ll discuss the best POS systems for small businesses, key features to look for, how to implement them properly, and some of the top systems on the market.
Finding the Best Point of Sale System for Small Businesses
Generic POS systems are a combination of hardware and software that allows your business to accept payments from customers and record transactions. They’re used in physical stores, online stores, restaurants, event venues, and more.
More advanced POS systems take owning a business to the next level. They provide reports, demand forecasting, sales history, customer loyalty programs, barcode scanning and creation, contactless payment, and inventory management.
As you search for the best POS system for your business, you’ll notice a few different types of solutions. Two major categories you’ll encounter include traditional and cloud-based options. Which is best for small businesses? Let’s take a closer look.
Traditional POS systems include a computer with POS software that operates on a closed network. It stores all sales and transaction data on a local server or hard drive. A cloud-based POS system stores data on remote servers and can be accessed from anywhere.
Though some businesses still operate off traditional POS systems, a cloud-based solution offers better security, support, and accessibility, making it the superior choice for businesses like yours.
Let’s dig into some of the features your next POS system should include.
Key Features To Look for in a POS System
As we said earlier, your POS should make running your business easier, not more complicated. It should work with you, going above and beyond to accomplish tasks you don’t have enough hours in the day to cover.
These are the essential features a POS system should have for small businesses:
- Inventory management
- Sales reporting and analytics
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Ease of use and intuitive user interface
- Integration capabilities with other software (accounting, e-commerce platforms)
All these features work in tandem to bring you real-time information you can use to make data-driven decisions. Without these features, you’ll struggle to get a full picture of your store’s operations, and you risk making costly mistakes related to inventory or sales.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a POS System
Now that you know what features you need, there are other factors to consider. POS systems are not one-size-fits-all, and while one system works for the store owner down the road, it doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for you.
Consider:
- Business size and industry-specific needs: You don’t need to buy an enterprise-level POS if you’re operating on a smaller scale — you’ll find yourself overpaying for features you don’t need! Choose a solution designed for businesses like yours.
- Budget considerations: Check out the pricing of your potential POS vendors to determine whether they fit your budget on an ongoing basis. Remember to factor in initial costs and ongoing fees.
- Scalability and future growth: Choose a solution that works for you today and in the future. Look for a system that can grow with you and your operations.
- Technical support and customer service: Sales are the most important part of your day, so if something goes wrong, your POS system needs to support you. Choose a vendor that offers 24/7 live support to get you back on track.
Armed with a checklist of features and considerations, let’s dive into the five best point of sale systems for small businesses.
Top 5 POS Systems for Small Businesses
1. POS Nation
Best for: Small to mid-sized retailers.
POS Nation is an all-in-one retail POS system that brings everything in-house instead of using multiple programs for transactions, inventory management, or managing employees. POS Nation is also a hybrid system that offers internet-enabled cloud capabilities for accessing business-critical data and a local database.
Features:
- Mobile checkout
- Case break inventory tracking
- Role-based permissions
- Customer rewards and loyalty programs
- Mobile reporting dashboards
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Sales history
- Robust reports and analytics
All packages are customized to business needs. Use the build and price tool to find your cost.
Testimonial:
“I enjoyed the setup process. The instructor was great to work with, and very informative. The features within the system fit just about any scenario we run into. The ease of learning the system was also a relief.” — POS Nation user
Related Read: Competitive Comparison: POS Nation for Retail vs Epos Now
2. Clover
Best for: Restaurants and service industry businesses.
Clover is a cloud-based POS that replaces your cash register, payment terminal, receipt printer, and barcode scanner with an integrated suite of products. It accepts credit cards, EMV, and Apple Pay.
Features:
- Cloud syncing
- Integrated reporting
- App integration
- Customer feedback
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Invoicing
- Virtual terminals
Pricing starts at $69/month (plus processing fees)
Testimonial:
“I appreciate the versatility that Clover provides for my clients. If you are a restaurant, retail store, service industry it's great for you. If you need to manage customers or clients or employees, there are tools for all!” — G2 review
Related Read: Competitive Comparison: POS Nation for Retail vs Clover POS
3. Lightspeed
Best for: Quick-service restaurants, full-service restaurants, and bars.
Lightspeed is known for its powerful inventory features where businesses can track inventory across multiple locations, add product variations, and manage vendor catalogs. This solution is a great option for restaurants or enterprise-level retailers looking for a robust, all-in-one solution.
Features:
- E-commerce
- Gift cards without third-party fees
- Customer loyalty
- Contactless payments
- Employee management
- Customer management
- Inventory management
Pricing for Lightspeed is plan-based. Lightspeed’s packages start at $69/month.
Testimonial:
“Great inventory management features such as min/max and seasonal inventory control. Lots of advanced features for retail operations such as custom menus available on the sales screen as well as custom menus available for service department operation. Easily combines sales + service for my retail bike shop into one POS and keeps it tidy.” — G2 review
Related Read: Lightspeed POS: 5 Pros and Cons
4. IT Retail
Best for: Grocery stores and markets.
IT Retail is a robust POS designed for and by grocers. It is PCI-compliant and built for the future, and it always puts the customer first. This system has features and benefits designed specifically for grocery stores, giving grocers all the tools they need to manage a diverse, largely perishable inventory.
Features:
- Inventory tracking
- Deli scale integration
- Customer loyalty
- Online shopping
- Multi-location management
- End-of-day reports
- Perpetual inventory
- Custom labels
- Open API
- Host import for wholesalers
All solutions are tailor-made. Use the build and price tool to find the right one for you.
Testimonial:
“Excellent support by the team, really an asset to the company, and superb patience in understanding customers’ queries. I highly recommend working with IT Retail.” — IT Retail customer
Related Read: 5 Top Grocery Store Technology Innovations To Implement
5. Epos Now
Best for: Retail and hospitality.
Epos Now is an all-in-one cloud-based software that includes POS terminals, printers, and credit card readers. This solution is designed for businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors, offering systems tailored to salons, restaurants, convenience stores, and more.
Features:
- Retail point of sale
- Hospitality point of sale
- Real-time inventory management
- Reporting
- Flexible payment options
- E-commerce integrations
- Multiple location capability
- 24/7 technical support
Pricing for the complete solution starts at $1,099.
Testimonial:
“I like the interface of Epos which makes it easy to navigate. I also like how it gives me a report of the information I want to get from it. It is a very reliable retail tool.” — review on G2
Related Read: 2024 Retail POS Software Hotlist: The Best 9 Retail POS Solutions Right Now
Tips for Implementing a POS System Successfully
The most important part of implementing a new POS is getting employee buy-in. If your employees are surprised by the change in system, they’re more likely to be reluctant to adopt and use the technology correctly.
Give your staff a heads up that a new POS is coming, making sure to highlight all the features that will make their lives easier. Get them excited about the new technology and offer training sessions to build confidence.
Once you’re in business with your new POS, it’s important to solicit feedback from your employees to make sure implementation is running smoothly and that you can resolve any issues.
Some common pitfalls to avoid during implementation include:
- Inadequate staff training
- Poor data migration (look for a POS provider who helps with this)
- Underestimating hardware needs
- Lack of integration with existing tech
- Overlooking security and PCI compliance
- Overlooking scalability
Related Read: How an Intuitive POS System Cuts Cost and Training Time
Keep these pitfalls in mind both during your search for a POS system and implementation.
Get Started With POS Nation for Small Businesses
The right POS will help your small business thrive. With features like inventory management, robust reporting, customer service, demand forecasting, and more, it will do the heavy lifting of many daily administrative tasks so you can focus on your customers.
POS Nation works with thousands of small business owners nationwide to streamline business operations.
Schedule a demo today to see how we can support your goals.
