These hard- and software components can include a cash register, a barcode scanner, a POS terminal to accept payments, cloud software to help you organise your inventory and customer relationship management, and more. In a shop, this can mean your hardware and your software combined in such a way that enables you to accept payments. The POS system is the place where a sale is being executed. In short, the acronym “POS” stands for “point of sale” or “point of purchase”. Questions to ask when choosing a POS provider Below, we show the hardware, features, and costs of each system. Square can offer you a few ways to utilize a compact, modern POS for your business. You can choose a point of sale with integrated payments - like Square - or you might need to find a separate payment gateway provider to do the payment processing.īefore you choose your payment processor or your POS with integrated payments, make sure you’re aware of any long-term commitments or monthly fees (Square has neither) and that transaction pricing is clear and easy to understand. In addition to POS software and hardware, you also have to budget for credit card processing fees when thinking about your total POS system cost. Or you might be able to get away with the lightweight setup of a tablet, cash drawer, and credit card reader.
Some modern registers either swivel to face the customer or have a customer-facing display, which helps to ensure accuracy and, again, creates a better experience for customers.ĭepending on how your business is set up, you may need to invest in a bar code scanner, scales, or self-serve checkout kiosks. An iPad system has its advantages: An iPad stand takes up less counter space and you can potentially move it around the store to meet customers where they are (this makes for a great customer experience). The first big decision to make is whether you go with a legacy server-based system or an iPad system with a cloud POS. The exact hardware that you need depends on your business type and the setup of your store (or stores). You can buy or lease POS hardware depending on your budget and your long-term needs.
But that’s not always the case - Square doesn’t charge monthly software fees for our standard POS. With traditional server-based models, as well as cloud solutions, the point-of-sale software often has a monthly fee. Even with all of these things, it doesn’t have to cost a lot, but it can. When you’re evaluating POS software, you want to find software that works for your business (if you run a retail store, make sure it has inventory management), has integrated analytics, and is easy to use for you (and your employees). Here’s what goes into your total POS system price. You have to pay for all of them, but with a little research you can determine what makes the most sense for your business. Most POS systems are made up of three parts: software, hardware, and payment processing.
The 3 biggest drivers of point-of-sale costs
Getting started with Square’s point-of-sale solutions can cost anywhere from $0 (yes, it’s a free POS system when using our reader and a preexisting iPad) to $799 for our newest solution, Square Register.īefore you make your decision, let’s walk through the factors that influence the cost of your point-of-sale system. Traditional server-based POS systems are costly due to their hefty setup and licensing fees, Add in expensive hardware and monthly maintenances fees needed to maintain the security and software of back-office servers and your bill is hefty.īut newer POS systems are cloud based, lowering the costs of the system while improving security, scalability, and uptime. But the right POS system should also help you move through transactions faster (which means sales for you and a better experience for your customers), make smarter decisions about your business, and address issues in real time.Īnd that kind of functionality doesn’t mean that a POS system should cost you a ton of your hard-earned money. Yes, a POS lets you check out customers, record sales, accept payments, and route those funds to your bank. That’s why it’s important to understand the total costs of your POS system upfront. A POS (point of sale) is key to the growth and management of your business.