POS Systems: Take Your Business to the Next Level
4/4/2024 - By Elizabeth Levister - Manage Your Business | Small Business Resources

The opening of your business is near; you’ve worked hard to turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
You’ve chosen your business location, crafted your brand, and perfected your product. The only thing standing between you and opening the doors of your business is implementing a point-of-sale (POS) system. Although there was a time ‘cash was king,’ that’s not necessarily the case nowadays. With the payments world rapidly shifting to digital, it’s critical to consider how you will accept payments outside of cash. Not only do POS systems allow your business to accept a variety of payments, they also perform tasks like data collection, inventory management, and more.When researching POS systems for your business, it’s important to explore the capabilities of different terminals beyond accepting payments and visualize how they can help take your business to the next level. To see the array of benefits these terminals can bring to your business, keep reading.
What is a point-of-sale system?
A point-of-sale system, or merchant terminal, is a digital device with POS software installed on it. You may have seen these devices look like computers, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. This equipment allows small businesses to accept and process card payments and complete other business-related tasks.Research shows 97% of consumers are increasingly using credit and debit cards to pay for their purchases. Additionally, it’s been proven those who are paying with a credit card are willing to spend significantly more on their purchases. Businesses that aren’t prepared to accept card and digital payments are likely missing out on valuable sales opportunities.
Why do I need a POS system?
It’s expensive to run a business, especially when you’re in a retail environment. Your building rent, product costs, utilities, and staffing costs can seem daunting when you first get started – and we understand as a business owner, it’s your priority to maximize profit margins. You might be tempted to cut costs where you can, but merchant services is not one of those costs. Here are a few reasons you need a good POS system for your business.Remain competitive
Getting a payment terminal would help make your business competitive. Payment options are no longer considered a luxury, but an expectation of your customers. By accepting credit and debit cards, and potentially contactless payments, you are setting your business apart from someone who only accepts cash transactions.Cashless transactions
COVID-19 transformed the way consumers carry cash. Not only are many people less inclined to carry cash, but some businesses don’t accept it anymore either. To eliminate the hassle, most people carry credit and debit cards, or their digital wallet, every where they go. From a business standpoint, this means they will likely have enough money to pay for the products and services they’re interested in, rather than worrying about the amount of cash they currently have on hand.Increase customer base
Although card terminals are an extra expense for your business, the benefits they bring your company and your customers will likely outweigh the cost. The right POS system has the potential to increase your customer base if it allows you to deliver a superior payment experience in comparison to your competitors.Different types of POS systems:
There are a plethora of options when it comes to POS systems; however, considering the industry of your business and the volume of sales is a great place to start. Here are a few different point-of-sale system options, and which businesses they work best for.Countertop
Countertop point-of-sale systems are what you are typically used to seeing at the check out counter. Most of the time, these terminals require access to the internet to function. These “motherload” terminals are a one-stop-shop for payment processing. They typically are sold with accessories like cash drawers and barcode scanners, and come with cloud backup, so you never lose important information. These systems are the perfect merchant solution for full-service restaurants, larger boutiques, and busy retailers.Mobile
Mobile POS systems can process payments, manage inventory, and maintain customer information using a smartphone or a tablet. You typically have to download a mobile app to conduct payment processing if you choose this method, and the card reader can attach to your mobile device. Mobile POS systems work with portable receipt printers, or digital receipt options from within the app. This option is best for merchants who don’t manage a lot of inventory and need the flexibility of being mobile. SouthState recommends mobilePOS systems for merchants similar to market vendors, freelance workers, and lawn care service providers.