What Is Shopify Pos? How Can It Support Your Business Better? 

Shopify POS is the ultimate solution for merchants seeking to expand their presence both online and in physical stores. With robust features designed to synchronize sales across Shopify’s website and your brick-and-mortar location, Shopify POS empowers you to grow your business effortlessly.

In this guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about Shopify POS and how to set it up for success.

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Shopify Pos: What Is It?

It is a point-of-sale (POS) system designed to streamline your in-person sales, whether you have a permanent store, a pop-up shop, or a market stall. 

It consists of two key components:

1. Shopify POS App: This software is the brains of the operation. It lets you process payments, manage refunds, apply discounts, and access all the goodies Shopify offers, like marketing tools, analytics, shipping options, and even loyalty programs – all right from the app.

2. Shopify POS Hardware (Optional):  While not mandatory, hardware enhances your POS experience. Think of it as the physical setup that helps you manage in-person transactions smoothly.  This can include:

• POS terminals (where the app runs)
• Card readers (for accepting credit/debit card payments)
• Cash drawers (for storing cash securely)
• Barcode scanners (for scanning product codes for quick processing)
• Receipt printers (for providing customers with paper receipts)

Shopify offers two ways to acquire compatible hardware for your store:

One is direct from Shopify! If you’re located in a country with a Shopify hardware store, you can purchase it directly.

Option is verified Third-Party Retailers! For other regions, Shopify provides a list of supported hardware model numbers. You can then choose any reputable third-party retailer to buy your needed equipment.

By combining the POS app with optional hardware, you can create a powerful system to manage your in-person sales efficiently.

Shopify POS: Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages

Shopify POS offers a compelling solution for managing in-person sales, but it’s important to understand both the benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

• Unified Sales Nirvana: POS shines in its multi-channel integration. It centralizes data from your online store and physical location, giving you a holistic view of your sales performance.
• Actionable Insights: Say goodbye to manual reports! Shopify POS automatically generates reports on your sales performance after each transaction, empowering you with data-driven decisions.
• Branding & Marketing Powerhouse: Integrate social media and email marketing tools directly into your Shopify POS system. This seamless blend allows you to increase brand awareness and reach new customers through targeted marketing campaigns.

Cons

• Not Free to Play: Shopify POS isn’t a standalone free service. You’ll need a paid Shopify website plan to utilize it.
• Premium for Advanced Features: While the core functionalities are valuable, some advanced features come with a hefty price tag. These features, priced at $399/month (or $299/month when billed annually), might not be feasible for all businesses.
• Limited Free Trial: Shopify recently reduced the free trial period from 14 days to just 3 days. This might not be enough time for some businesses to fully explore the system before committing.

Cost of the Shopify POS System

POS pricing is integrated into your Shopify plan and any POS Pro subscriptions you choose to add. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Shopify Plans

All Shopify plans include 24/7 business support and features like inventory and order management. Here’s a comparison of the three main plans:

2. Shopify POS Pro Subscription

All Shopify plans come with Shopify POS Lite, allowing for occasional sales at markets or events (limited features). Upgrading to POS Pro is recommended for advanced features like staff management, customer management, and detailed retail reports.

POS Pro costs $89/month per location (billed annually) or $79/month per location (billed monthly). You can choose which locations need POS Pro based on your business (e.g., upgrade one store out of three).

3. Additional Costs to Consider

While Shopify POS itself is included in your Shopify plan, there might be additional expenses:

• Transaction fees: These vary depending on your payment gateway and pricing tier (typically $0.50 to $2 per transaction). Consider Shopify Payments to avoid these fees.
• Hardware costs: Hardware like receipt printers, card readers, and barcode scanners are not included. The cost depends on the specific devices you choose.

How Shopify POS Works?

Shopify POS transforms your in-person sales into a smooth and efficient operation. Let’s walk through the magic!

Imagine a customer picks their perfect item, ready to checkout. With the POS app in hand, you simply select the same product to ring them up. They pay with their preferred method (credit card, debit card, etc.), and voila! 

The transaction is complete, and a receipt is whisked to them (printed or digital). But Shopify POS goes beyond basic transactions. You can then delve into sales data, cash flow, and insightful reports to make data-driven decisions for your business.

1. Effortless Store Management 

No more scrambling! Add an unlimited number of products to your POS, categorize them with smart collections for easy browsing, and create variations for different sizes or colors. 

Plus, Shopify POS keeps your online and physical store inventories in perfect sync, so you never have to worry about overselling. 

Upgrade to POS Pro, and you’ll gain access to employee productivity tracking, advanced payment monitoring, and detailed reports for a deeper understanding of your operations.

2. Customer Management Made Simple

Shopify POS remembers your customers! It stores their purchase history, contact details, and order information. This goldmine of data lets you craft targeted marketing campaigns.  

Imagine sending special offers or loyalty program updates directly to customers who might be interested! That’s the power of Shopify POS!

3. Checkout Reimagined

Flexibility is key! Use any mobile device as your POS terminal, offering on-the-go checkout options. Accept various payment methods to cater to everyone’s preference. Scanning products is a breeze, use your device’s camera or a barcode scanner. 

The universal search bar makes finding products a snap, even with partial information.  And for those indecisive shoppers?  

No problem! POS lets you save and retrieve carts so they can complete their purchase later, online or in-store. Need to accommodate special requests? Add notes to orders for a personalized touch.

4. Data-Driven Decisions with Powerful Reports & Analytics

Gain a crystal-clear view of your business performance with comprehensive reports. Dive into sales figures, finances, discounts, and more.  These reports are your secret weapon – use them to identify trends, track progress, and make strategic decisions to boost sales and optimize your operations.

FAQs

Is Shopify POS effective?

Yes, Shopify POS is highly effective, offering user-friendly features and seamless integration with all systems, making it perfect for retailers of all sizes.

It’s ideal for omnichannel commerce, with robust staff management and marketing tools, including product reviews, email marketing, social media integration, and Google Merchant Center.

What’s the difference between Shopify and Shopify POS?

Shopify is a popular e-commerce platform for online sellers and buyers.

Shopify POS is integrated into Shopify, providing a more user-friendly experience, especially for brick-and-mortar stores.

Conclusion

Shopify POS is the ultimate tool that seamlessly blends your online empire with your physical store. It’s not just software; it’s your business’s secret weapon.

With Shopify POS, managing inventory, orders, and customer interactions becomes a breeze! Of course, no matter where you are.