Choosing the right software for your retail business depends on you, since it is your business and you know now what you need. based on decades of helping small business retailers, local retailers, we have advice on how to go about choosing the right software.
Take your time. This is an important decision so treat it as such. Move at your pace and not some pace set by someone else, maybe a sales person who is chasing a monthly target. The right decision could add thousands of dollars to your bottom line every year.
Start by being clear about what you want, what you need. Create this in writing. Don’t start looking at any software until you have your list. Take your time on the list. Ensure everything on the list is a must have as this is where it best you focus your attention. This list should be with you all through the process. Share with those you engage with through the process.
Research online based on your list of needs. Again, take your timer. Doing this research yourself sees you owning the results. If you ask someone else do the work you may have to settle for something you ultimately are not happy with. Good software companies make it easy for you to compare functionality, get pricing and see a list of features without having to talk with someone. Note: companies that are not public about price are more likely to want to sell you to maximise their revenue.
Create a shortlist. For local small business retailers, a good shortlist of POS software companies to consider will be no more than 3. These three should be companies that your research indicates can serve your needs and are within your price point.
Book a demonstration. reach out to the three companies and book a demonstration with each. tell them you will give them 30 minutes. tell them the main requirements you want covered. Typically, software sales people will want longer so they can get you to like them and they can use techniques to close you. You set the time, focus on the software functions that matter most. Ask for it to be recorded with a copy of the recording provided to you. Try and do the demonstrations back to back as this makes comparison easier. Take notes too – especially of every claim made or promise given.
Review. Consider the demonstrations and the information you have gathered. By yourself, in a quiet space, consider everything. If a clear preference does not emerge, ask for another meeting. Ask that they include one of their local support people. Have questions for them as it is the local support people who will play a big role in the success you have with the software.
Make your decision. Consider everything and make the decision that feels right to you and that is backed by the evidence you have gathered. If no company feels right, that’s your decision right there. It’s okay if this is the case. You may need to go deeper with one or more of the candidate companies to consider the further.
If this process that we have outlined for choosing the right software for your small retail business seems too big or that it will take too long. Remember, the right software choice could add trees of thousands of dollars of net provide to your business each year. That right there is the return on your time investment.
Take your time, invest your time, and make the decision that feels right to you, for you, and for your business.
Once you have made your decision, get to it, follow the advice, learn how to use the software and work it hard to ensure it delivers the value you need from it in your business.
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Tower Systems makes and supports POS software for local small business retailers. We are grateful to any who consider our software. If we think we are not a good fit, we will say so. Our POS software pricing is transparent as is the functionality in our POS software.
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