A POS, or point of sale, terminal is an essential piece of kit for a business of any size, because it lets the owner handle sales, keep control of stock and take payment efficiently. If you are new to running a business and looking for an affordable POS terminal — or simply want one that does the job within the budget you have set — we have some useful tips you can put straight to work. Let us see what they are.
A POS terminal that suits the modern business owner
For anyone opening a shop or a restaurant today, a POS terminal matters a great deal. As well as making the way the shop is run more efficient and more up to date, it creates room for the business to grow and to earn more.
POS terminals are inexpensive these days, and come in a range of packages to match each business’s needs and budget. Generally, the main components of a POS are the hardware and the software. The hardware — the terminal itself — consists of a display, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner and a cash drawer. The software is the programme that handles sales and stock, making it quicker and easier to sell goods and services, and keeping sales totals and stock counts accurate. Together, those components let the owner analyse each day’s takings easily, and turn whatever is falling short into a marketing plan that better answers what customers want.
How should a first-time owner go about choosing an affordable POS terminal?
1. Think about what your business actually needs it to do
POS terminals now do a much wider range of things, so every business can find one that fits. But before choosing a POS at a price you like, an owner should first look at the problems that keep coming up in the shop, and then pick a POS whose features solve those particular problems. For example:
If you run a coffee shop or a café and ingredients keep spoiling, eating into your profit, choose a POS with stock management that can alert you to the expiry date of each ingredient. Or if you run a restaurant and struggle with queues, choose a POS with a table plan and order taking, so queueing and table bookings are dealt with quickly. And so on.
2. Compare prices across several providers
The key to buying something good at a good price is comparing prices from several sources, and a POS terminal is no exception. There are plenty of providers now, each with its own service packages, so it pays to do your homework and compare POS terminals thoroughly, on both features and price, to find the provider that is right for you.
3. Read reviews from real users, or ask an expert, before you decide
Choosing a POS terminal on the strength of reviews is another way for an owner to arrive at a decision that genuinely fits. Look at reviews from people actually using the system: they tend to give the full picture, stay on the point, and be straightforward about both the good and the bad, so you can judge whether that POS suits your business. You can also consult a specialist in the field for advice on what to buy for a business like yours.
4. Choose a POS terminal that is easy to use
Beyond price and quality, an owner should also buy on how the terminal is to use — a clear display, buttons that are easy to press, menu names and icons that make immediate sense, and thorough help built in. All of that lets you work efficiently and get things done faster.
5. A POS terminal with all the basics covered
Buying an affordable POS terminal that still covers all the basics lets an owner work efficiently at every stage. Here is what to look for:
- Sales recording that is accurate and fast
- The ability to issue customers a correct and complete receipt
- Support for a range of payment methods
- Capable stock management
- Sales reports you can use to analyse each day’s trading
If you are an owner who would like a POS terminal to help run the business, take a look at Qashier’s POS system. We offer affordable POS terminals with a capable shop-management system behind them, suited to every kind of retail business and covering everything an owner needs. They are easy to install and easy to use, with a team on hand 7 days a week. To find out more, reach us on LINE Official: @qashier.th or call 02-544-0267