Shopping is a favorite human pastime, making retail selling one of the most profitable businesses globally. Still, this doesn’t mean you have to stop introducing new things to your retail business even if it has potential. After all, innovation not only catches people’s attention – it also captures it.
Technology has paved the way for many businesses to implement state-of-the-art equipment and systems into their operations. But with all the changes going on, it can get difficult for small business owners to choose which technology they must adopt first. Businesses also tend to shy away from these new gadgets or equipment after considering the expenses that usually come with them.
Fortunately, there is one technology that is both cost-effective and offers great benefits for retail shops: iPad POS solutions.
POS, or point of sale, is the core of most retail businesses. Back in the day, traditional cash registers and other on-premise point-of-sale (POS) systems were enough to run a store.
But if you want to keep up with the pace of commerce today, you’ll want to innovate here and look for technology that can empower you and make your shop profitable.
This article will discuss the top five perks of having an iPad POS system and how it can help your retail business grow.
1. Ease of use
People have been using electronic cash registers for decades, but this doesn’t mean that these have become more intuitive. On the contrary, these machines – like on-premise POS systems – feature overly complex interfaces that can be confusing to use (not to mention outdated).
From a practical perspective, having such equipment with complicated interfaces extends the training time necessary for new employees. Add that to a higher risk of making errors, and you’ll find yourself wishing there was an alternative that’s easier to learn and use.
Lucky for you, there is.
More and more millennials have entered the workforce in recent years, which means you’ll likely have personnel that are more reliant on smart devices. Considering this, it’ll help a lot if you use technology that resonates with them. This is where iPad POS becomes the most appropriate choice.
With iPads as your POS, you’ll have better adaptability within your workforce. You’ll get a simplified and faster training process while still achieving your primary goal: to upskill your people so they can serve customers to the best of their abilities.
Besides delivering great results with less money, time, and effort spent on training, having your employees use iPad POS also reduces errors and expands payment options, both of which lead to better customer experiences. And with this comes loyalty and patronage.
2. Lower cost and better value for money
The cost of a full-blown on-premise POS system can be enormous, making it a tough pill to swallow, especially for startups and small businesses. This is another point where the iPad POS system swoops in to save the day.
Compared to traditional on-premise POS, retailers can save a lot with an iPad POS system. With the traditional system, you need to invest in a barcode scanner, display unit, receipt printer, and cash register – all on top of the POS terminal.
But with an iPad POS, you only need an iPad and a POS software subscription. You’ll also reduce the number of required hardware to just an iPad, a barcode scanner, and a credit card reader, at the very least, all while ensuring the same level of functionality.
The best part is that you get more than what you pay for. With an iPad POS, you also get an inventory management software, a remote cash register for selling on-the-go, and a command center for managing all sales-related transactions in your shop.
3. Supports better customer service
Customer service is the core of any business, including retail. And with a portable POS, you can enhance this aspect of your business.
The portability of iPad POS is quite useful for restaurants and other foodservice businesses, since it allows wait staff to bring mobile devices and ring up customers right at their tables. However, it also offers plenty of advantages to retail companies.
With the right iPad POS system, you can enjoy certain features that other POS systems do not provide, including serving as catalogs and inventory management for merchandise. It is also useful in expediting the checkout process and, ultimately, making the entire shopping experience convenient and memorable.
4. Boosted security
Apple iOS is considered an extremely secure operating system. Some might even say that it is virtually immune to malware attacks.
Can you imagine this type of security for your retail shop?
As a company, the last thing you want is a data breach that could ruin your success streak. What’s more, this incredibly important feature also helps prevent fraud and ensures your customers feel secure doing business with you.
Thus, having an iPad POS system builds trust for your brand, which will eventually lead to happy and loyal customers.
5. No more printed receipts (unless necessary)
Whether people admit it or not, most receipts they are handed usually just end up in the trash. Even if you don’t realize it, that small piece of paper becomes expensive waste.
But paper is one resource that can be saved if only you opt for a better POS system.
When you use an iPad POS, you have the choice to go paperless. Simply email the customer a copy of the receipt, and you’re good to go. Besides saving paper, this also removes the need for a receipt printer – a hardware needed for most POS systems.
Of course, if you need to provide a printed receipt to your customers, you can still do so. You only need to connect your iPad POS to a receipt printer via a wireless network when necessary.
Plus, running the checkout counter with an iPad POS is more convenient for both the customer and the retailer, particularly during product returns and exchanges. Rather than scouring around for the printout of the receipt, simply open the iPad software and look for the record of the emailed receipt for a faster and smoother transaction.
Take Advantage of Technology
Technology is there for one reason and one reason alone: to help make life easier. In this aspect, iPad POS is not any different. Take advantage of innovations offered by this technology, and watch your retail business grow more.
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