Price and Features: Let’s be frank. Budget matters. Before you start your search, think about what you can afford. After you have that out of the way, you need to compare the features of the POS and the features you actually need. Most systems have more features than you will use. The challenge is to find the right set of features for your particular scenario. Do you need call ahead options, delivery tracking, gift cards, alcohol considerations? Make sure you get the right set of features and your POS system can pay for itself in a matter of months or a few years.
Staff: You have employees that deal with customers right? Why not let them in on the demonstration? Ask them about features they feel are important to their day to day positions. Having your staff involved can help them take ownership and reduce complaints down the road.
Don’t just think about orders: Sometimes you can get caught up in the ordering side of things. Remember, a great POS helps you with far more than just transactions. It’s important to think about reporting, theft controls, gift and loyalty programs and customer engagement.
Get the right system: Your store is unique. Sure, there may be other stores that are very similar but none that are yours. The specific flow in your store matters as well. Make sure that you investigate how the POS system will help with flow and getting orders to the appropriate people. How employees take orders, positioning of the kitchen printers or monitors, flow of the orders in the store and more all matter. Adding a seconds to minutes to each order because of improper flow can hurt your business – reducing time can help!
Intangibles: What about those things that are hard to put your finger on? Support & services, the integrity of the company or additional fees down the road? Sometimes you just have to trust your intuition on some of these things.