Drive your business with a versatile Retail pOS system from Shift processing

Common Competitor’s Pricing and Fees

Many other payment processing companies opt to use interchange-plus pricing, which basically charges a markup on top of an initial fee or service charge to get themselves additional commission. 

Keeping your customers can actually keep fees lower, too. Complying with PCI compliance rules will result in less fees. PCI compliance fees stem from a business failing to keep proper safety and security standards. So, keeping yourself safe will actually result in less overall fees.

Many smaller businesses elect to use square POS systems for their business. It provides an easy and convenient way for small businesses that do not process a large amount of transactions per month to process transactions. However, where Square for retail stores falls short is in the fees that they charge. They tend to charge higher rates, which is one of the reasons that it's mostly smaller businesses that decide to process integrated payments with them. Your fees will grow as you grow your business.

For businesses that mostly sell product online, many set up an ecommerce integrated website through Shopify POS software. They are popular for their lower fees than other online processors. However, they fall short in offering brick and mortar POS systems.

Point of Sale Software

Our fast and efficient retail POS software accepts credit and debit through our retail payments processor. With Shift, you can feel safe in knowing that it accepts credit card payments from all major companies and even mobile payments through your mobile phone or device, like Apple Pay. All purchases will be easily accepted with data security in mind, giving peace of mind to both the customer and the retail merchant account.

The gateway that Shift uses will accept credit cards, debit cards, and even gift cards. Whatever the type of card, the transaction will be secure. Your retail business can feel safe and secure from any card information getting mishandled, as the majority of credit card payment processors are forced to comply with PCI standards.

Some payment processors offer cloudbased retail POS systems, which basically takes away the Point-of-Sale server moves the traffic from all transactions to a different sales channel.

POS software allows you to accept credit, debit and gift cards. However, it is much more than that. They differ from credit card terminals by having cash drawers and providing check acceptance. Additional POS software features and options, like accepting mobile or electronic payments through a mobile device or phone, can vary depending on the model.

A retail POS solution might have inventory tracking and management software that is similar to the types of tools and features of a restaurant POS system, but the two machines are still very different. Retail POS should be used for retail shops, just as restaurant POS should be used for a restaurant. This is due to a variety of different types of features and options for each terminal that is meant for the type of business that it was designed for. For instance, a restaurant POS solution is capable of tracking food inventory and food cost.

Shift doesn't lock you into a contract for months upon years like other companies that process payments. We work based on month-to-month contracts. So, if you become dissatisfied for whatever reason, you can end your account and leave at any time or day that you want. 

Many competitors charge high prices just for their terminals. Here at Shift, we offer you a terminal at no charge to you for as many months as you process with us. If you ever decide to move on and choose a different processor for whatever the reason, you just simply return it to us, still at no charge to you.

Additional Features

Many POS terminals come with features and tools aimed to help you. Many come with management tools that can help you with inventory tracking and reports, as well as give you sales reports. While having your POS system take care of reporting and analytics is completely optional, it has the potential to save you, the retail store owner, the time of having to provide real time reports.

POS software can come with integrated project management software. This integrations with this software can essentially help you monitor and track things like time, distribution and budgeting.

They can also help with many management projects. From employee and team management to retail management, your POS software should be able to help you check all your management tasks at once.

If your business has customer loyalty programs available to customers, your POS system can help with that as well. It includes the ability to help you connect people with the loyalty program, as well as accept membership from customers that wish to be added to the loyalty program.

Some terminals even come installed with a help desk software that helps the business owner manage customer requests and customer care issues. This will help you enhance your customers' loyalty.

POS systems also typically includes capabilities and detailed analytics that help you create a customer profile. Customer profiles are basically a list of your current and repeat customers and shows their interests, demographics and more that can help you push a product or service towards a particular person. It will enhance your chances to make sales by offering a product your customer is interested in, and gives the consumer the chance to purchase a product that interests them that they may not otherwise have been able to find.

At its floor, POS systems should be able to be barcode scanners and payment processors. It should help improve your sales and include almost anything else you could want. However, complex POS isn't for everyone, and your business might benefit from just a simple barcode scanner and card reader.

The Bottom Line

When choosing a POS system for your business, consider the size of your business and if you are trying to grow your retail business. Your business size should affect your decision, as different POS systems are meant for differently sized businesses.

All businesses need to accept payments through alternate channels besides cash, no matter the market, business size or industry. Trends suggest that the use of cash will keep dwindling further and further, making it crucial that your business accept alternate payment methods. 

So, how will you do it? We know how complicated choosing POS software can be. Shift wants to help you learn about and use your POS properly. If your company is deciding between multiple different POS terminals, learn which one is completely customizable and includes the ability to be tailored to your exact needs and purchase that one.

However, if you view yourself wanting to combine a few different programs into one for a more simplistic set up, you might consider a system with more advanced features.

Some POS will contain features that can track and maintain your accounting and finances, similar to features you'd find in Quickbooks. The features that your POS will come with is entirely up to you. If you don't need help with your accounting, then opt for a cheaper option with less features.

Ask yourself what you want out of your type of POS system. Do you want an advanced, all-in-one retail terminal with features similar to Quickbooks like accounting and financial software? Do you want help with employee management from your POS terminal? Or do you plan on having an online store? If you plan to launch an ecommerce platform and sell items and products online, we recommend shopping cart software that will improve your sales and performance by allowing your customers to actually purchase items and products.

Do you want the top POS system with tons of advanced features? Or are you fine with a less complicated, simpler system? At the end of the day, t’s entirely up to your preference and your business size.

At the end of the day, the processor that you determine is right for your business is entirely up to you and your staff. Not everyone has experience with using all that software on one POS system, and that is perfectly fine. If a standard machine or reader is what is best for you and your business, we recommend going with what feels right for you.