Will you take credit or debit cards? Will you be seen as less professional if you don’t? Will you lose sales if you can’t take cards? If you run or plan to start a small business, questions like these can seem overwhelming. You want to give a professional image, but the terms and costs of point-of-sale (POS) solutions can seem daunting.
Fortunately, it’s getting easier to find a mobile POS system for your business with transparent, easy-to-understand terms and costs. A mobile POS system can add a layer of validity to your new small business, and make it convenient for customers to complete transactions. You get paid fast and avoid the hassle—for both you and your customers—of writing and processing checks or holding onto cash.
In the storm of decisions to consider, there’s one more question you need to ask: When you know you want to leverage mobile POS to drive more sales, what should you look for? Here are some tips to help you choose the best mobile POS for your small business.
Find a mobile POS that’s truly mobile.
If you need Wi-Fi to use your mobile POS, then your POS isn’t mobile. Whether your sales are made in a store, at a farmer’s market, or from a food truck, you should be able to process payments no matter where you are. Look for a mobile system that merges portable hardware with mobile-first, secure cellular connections.
Look for a provider that offers same-day funding—without added fees.
As a small business, cash flow is king. Get paid faster and improve your cash flow by choosing a provider that offers same-day funding at no additional cost. Some providers charge a percentage of your total transactions for the privilege of same-day funding, while others offer it as a standard option. When same-day funding comes standard, you can transfer funds from your merchant account to your bank account quickly, without paying extra.
Work with a provider that offers price transparency.
As a small business, you can’t afford surprises. Look for providers that offer price transparency so you know what to expect. Some providers charge monthly software licensing fees, which can fluctuate and rise over time. Be sure to look for clear, affordable merchant fees, too.
Ensure you can reach customer service 24/7.
As a small business owner, you wear multiple hats. You can’t be sidelined by a tech issue when you’re trying to close a sale. Choose a mobile POS provider that has live support personnel that you can reach quickly at any time. This is especially critical if your sales occur outside of standard business hours or if you need to work across multiple time zones.
Get help with onboarding and training.
Don’t get trapped into using a POS that doesn’t work for your business just because you don’t have time for onboarding and training. You can save time, headaches, and money by finding a provider that offers support with onboarding and training to help you and your team get up to speed fast on your new mobile solution.
Integrate with consumer-friendly devices.
Hardware represents the greatest costs for traditional POS systems. Registers with external card readers can range in cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars and must remain stationary at a checkout counter. Mobile systems provide far more flexibility at a much lower cost. T-Mobile offers affordable devices that can be paired with a mobile POS system and placed on a mount at a counter, or carried in hand on the sales floor.
Enable all your employees to process sales, without adding to your POS costs
Hiring associates? Don’t get nickel-and-dimed by mobile POS providers that want to charge you for every user you add. Find a provider that allows you to add users to your system for no additional monthly charge. Services such as T-Mobile for Business GoPoint allow POS software to be downloaded to any compatible device and used by up to 99 people for no additional monthly per-user charge.
Don’t sign a contract
Some mobile POS providers lock users into long-term contracts. Often with those contracts, you can’t always make the best decisions for your business if your needs change.
T-Mobile for Business GoPoint offers a mobile POS system with no long-term contract or added licensing fees, so you can try it without getting rid of your old system first. With a bit of research, you can find a mobile POS system that is both predictable and flexible. Use mobile POS to transform your customer experience and add a professional polish to your small business.
Source: 8 tips for choosing a mobile point-of-sale (POS) system
