User-Friendliness

Your system should be intuitive and user-friendly. After all, a system is only as good as your ability to use it. Entering new products, removing old ones, or changing prices should be simple and efficient. Training your staff should likewise be a quick and painless process.

Online and Mobile Options

With more retailers venturing into e-commerce, the ability to process orders online is more important these days. If e-commerce isn’t a concern, consider the options for processing orders through tablets or mobile devices. 

Will you need a mobile POS system? Do you ever attend trade shows, fairs, or other events? If so, you likely aren’t taking your entire POS system with you! Consider if, and how often you’ll want to process orders via a mobile POS, and choose a system that can deliver. 

Even if you aren’t planning on setting up a booth at the local fair, this is still a great option to have. During high-volume periods, the ability to quickly process orders becomes crucial. A system that can handle mobile transactions is like having an extra register in your back pocket.

This is a win-win. Your business can process more sales and your customers don’t have to wait in line forever. 

Scalability

Not all retail POS systems are created equally. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the types (and sizes) of businesses the system is built to serve. What may be more important, is whether it can grow as your business grows.

If you have plans on expanding your business, the last thing you want is to have to go shopping for a new POS system all over again. Having to train your staff on a new system, buy new hardware, etc. doesn't sound like a great use of your time or money. Look for a system that is designed to scale with you, has options for larger businesses, enhanced upgrades, etc.