With so many POS systems on the market today, it can be a little overwhelming when trying to select the right one for you. There are a number of things to consider before making your decision, so let’s go over a few. Keep reading to find out how to choose the best POS system for your online store.

Consider what features you need

When choosing the best POS for your online store, think about the type of business you own. Do you have an online store as well as a brick and mortar? You might want a POS that seamlessly syncs both shops. Do you need to schedule appointments or keep track of events? The best POS system for you might come with a calendar or scheduler. POS software can have a number of unique features for specific needs. Consider what you need and search for your POS based on these attributes. A basic POS with all the fundamentals might work perfectly for you, or you might need something with specific features.

Inventory management

Whether you have a gargantuan inventory or a limited quantity of products, it’s important to have a stellar inventory management system. It’s worth considering the size of your inventory, whether the POS system can manage it easily, or whether you’ll need to integrate another plugin or software. If you’re a smaller retail business with less inventory, inventory management is still an essential part of your POS, but it will be easier to find one that can handle your inventory requirements.

When it comes to e-commerce POS systems, it can get pretty pricey. First, assess what’s reasonable for your budget, and how much you’re willing to spend on a POS system. Are you willing to invest, or is it wiser to save and find the most cost-efficient? If you’re on a tight budget, here’s a list of the best free POS systems.

It’s a good idea to also consider what else you might have to purchase in addition to the software. For example, you might need POS hardware for your store, or credit card processors, or other third-party software. Consider everything you might need, and do the math to ensure you know what you’re spending.

Integration

As mentioned previously, when researching the best POS for your online store, you may need to integrate your POS with other software. Make sure your POS will integrate seamlessly with other software. Even if this doesn’t seem like a priority right now, it’s best to be prepared for the future, as your business grows.

Cloud-based

POS systems are evolving, and more and more are cloud-based. The conventional POS model locally based inside your physical store’s computer has several limitations. A cloud-based or web-based POS system can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and on any device as long as you have an internet connection. This can make your life much easier, especially if you have multiple stores, an online store, if you’re mobile, or if you have pop-up shops.

Simple interface

The best POS system for your online store will have an interface that’s comfortable and easy to learn. This is true especially if you have multiple staff members who will be using the POS–you want them all to learn how to use the new system quickly and with ease. A POS interface that is not intuitive or is difficult to figure out can get very frustrating on a day to day basis.

Support

Customer support is vital. The best POS system should come with strong customer service–some might have a cost, some are free. It might be easy to overlook, but once you run into a problem with your software and it’s hindering your business, you will be thankful when their customer support team gets back ASAP with a solution.

Finally – do your research!

The only way for you to know which is the best POS system for your online store is to research your options. Once you have an idea of what kind of POS you need for your online store, start researching based on these attributes. Make a list of the best options and weigh the pros and cons, what you’re willing to sacrifice vs. what is essential. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find software that suits every single one of your needs! Thanks to this guide, your decision will be an informed one.