eCommerce store? Check.
eCommerce strategy? Check.
POS card reader? …
Hmm.
eCommerce is always evolving, and the key to its recent evolutions has been the POS card reader. Square added one to their marketplace, and then Shopify followed suit.
And now it’s time for your company to implement this new technology.
A POS aka point of sale system itself is like a modified cash register paired up with a computer that makes the transaction process more seamless. Throw in a POS card reader, and your eCommerce operations are slicker than ever.
In this article, we take a look at why the POS reader is critical for eCommerce stores and what you need to do to set up your POS system.
The Importance of a POS Credit Card Reader in eCommerce
For an eCommerce store to be successful in this day and age, you need to be super flexible. And you need to give your customers more of what they want.
The POS credit card reader allows you to do just that. Here’s now:
The POS Reader Lets You Sell To Consumers However They Shop
Brick and mortar are far from dead. The mobile revolution is driving the rise of ROBO (research online and buy offline).
Customers scour the internet for online reviews, comparison articles, and so on, but a lot still prefer to buy offline. Indeed, 45% of consumers read reviews online but make the actual purchase offline.
The POS card reader helps to bridge the gap between your online operations and your offline ones.
If you’re not ready to launch a full-time brick-and-mortar store just yet, why not start with a pop-up store?
The POS Card Reader Lets You Manage Numerous Channels With Ease
Omnichannel shopping was a significant eCommerce trend two years ago, and it hasn’t gone away. Customers like options – they like channels.
This used to represent a problem for online merchants — namely, that of managing each channel and tying them all together.
What the customer wants is a seamless experience. If they switch from one channel to another, they take it for granted that their details and data will all be remembered across all channels.
The POS card reader helps you to manage numerous channels by storing customer data and integrating them.
Integration is the name of the game. If you can integrate your eCommerce store and sales with your physical store and deals, you’re on to a winner. The customer experience is the same no matter what channel they’re on. When customers know that you’re personalizing the experience, no matter the channel, they’ll be a lot more satisfied.
The POS Card Reader Helps You Understand Your Customers
When it comes to your eCommerce strategy, understanding your customers is vital. The more you know about them, the more you can give them what they want.
Your POS card reader gathers data on each customer, thus telling you exactly who is buying what. Then, you can personalize your marketing efforts from now on and therefore boost your conversions.
To learn more about your customers in this way, you first of all need to decide which information you want from them – this will make it easier to segment your customers later on. For example, you might choose to ask for their address, age, gender, and so on.
To get such information, you’ll need to offer your customers something in return. The most obvious thing to offer is a 10% discount.
The POS System Broken Down
The POS system consists of key components including software and hardware. It has a frontend interface for your point of sale, as well as a backend for management functions and analytics. That’s the software, and the data can be stored either on-site (on your server), or it can be cloud-based, which means it’s hosted online.
When it comes to hardware, meanwhile, different businesses have different needs. Here are some key components:
- The POS card reader
- Cash drawer
- Barcode scanner
- Receipt printer
- Network devices
When it comes to larger eCommerce stores, you might find it’s best to pick an on-site POS system if your internet is usually unreliable – this will also allow you to store your data on your premises. You’ll need professional help to install your POS system and the equipment is typically non-portable.
Smaller eCommerce stores, on the other hand, usually go with portable POS systems, which include the POS card reader, as these are more cost-effective.
Choosing a POS System
When it comes to choosing a POS system, making the right choice is important.
Shopify is an actual eCommerce company that lets online merchants create their own branded online store. It offers a retail-specific POS system that allows customers to buy their items online and pick them up in-store.
The POS system comes with a Shopify card reader that accepts swipe, chip, and contactless payments. Also included in the POS app are other items of hardware, including barcode scanners, printers, and cash drawers.
Installing Your POS System
Your POS software is installed onto the main PC. From there, you can monitor each terminal.
Your software will come on a downloadable CD, which you’ll need to insert into your PC. Then, follow the onscreen prompts.
A few basic setup tasks will need to be completed before you can start using the software. These include inputting your license code and transferring some necessary information.
Once all this is done, you need to link your hardware to your business computer. Equipment will include your printer and scanner.
Once all this is complete, you’ll be able to access your POS machine and process credit card payments.
Compatibility Issues To Be Wary Of
Before you go ahead and pick a POS system, you need to make sure there will be no compatibility issues. These include:
Check to see if the POS system integrates with your card reader and credit card processor. You can always use your POS card reader alongside your point of sale system, however.
Make sure any tablets you want to use with your POS system are supported.
Make sure your operating system is compatible with your POS system and up-to-date to avoid security issues.
If you have a cash drawer and receipt printer and plan to use them, make sure these are compatible, too.
Conclusion
eCommerce is all about selling products. As such, the POS system and card reader are both now essential to your business. As you have learned, the POS card reader will improve your eCommerce operations, allowing you to collect data and give your customers more of what they want. It will also make your life easier, too. Looking for a POS dealer to help with your integration? Find a local POS reseller here.
