A reliable POS (point of sale) system is important for businesses to run smoothly. Shopify POS has become a popular choice for many vendors, due to the range of features available. Learn more about the pros and cons of Shopify POS for markets and events with the insight needed to help you make a great POS decision.
What Is Shopify POS?
Shopify POS (point of sale) is a mobile app for selling your products in person. It integrates easily with the Shopify online store and allows businesses to manage sales, inventory, and customer data across multiple locations. This system is beneficial because it operates in various environments, such as markets, pop-up shops, and events because of its flexibility.
What Is the Difference Between Shopify and Shopify POS?
While part of the same ecosystem, they serve different purposes:
- Shopify: Primarily an e-commerce platform, Shopify allows businesses to manage their online stores. It provides tools for website design, product listing, payment processing, and online marketing.
- Shopify POS: A physical extension of the Shopify platform, designed for in-person sales. It offers features like barcode scanning, receipt printing, and cash management, which makes it easier to handle transactions at physical locations.
What Is the Difference Between Shopify and Square POS?
Both Shopify and Square POS are popular choices for businesses that operate events. There are several differences between the two:
Integrations with E-commerce
Shopify POS integrates well with the Shopify e-commerce platform, providing a well-established system for managing online and offline transactions. Square POS offers basic e-commerce capabilities, and its primary strength lies in its POS features.
Hardware and Software
Shopify POS is part of a broader system that includes extensive tools, while Square POS is more hardware-focused, offering a range of devices designed for in-person transactions.
Pricing
Shopify POS is included with all Shopify plans, but advanced features require an upgraded plan or additional fees. Square POS offers a free plan with basic features, with additional costs for advanced functionalities.
Pros of Shopify POS for Markets and Events
- Integration: Shopify POS effortlessly integrates with your Shopify store, ensuring all inventories, sales, and customer data are connected through all channels.
- User-Friendly: The design of this platform makes it easy to navigate, learn and use, reducing the time spent training users.
- Flexible payment options: Shopify POS accepts various payment methods, such as cash, credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets, providing convenience for your customers.
- Functionality: You can continue to sell without the internet, and it will sync automatically once the connection has been restored.
- Reporting: You can access detailed sales reports and analytics that help you make informed decisions.
Cons of Shopify POS
- Cost: While Shopify POS is included with the basic Shopify plan, advanced features require additional fees, which can ass up for small businesses.
- Hardware requirements: You may need to invest in compatible hardware, like barcode scanners, cash drawers, and receipt printers to take advantage of Shopify’s POS.
- Limited customization: While the system is user-friendly, it may lack the customization that some POS systems can offer.
Shopify POS for Markets and Events
Shopify POS for markets and events is a powerful tool for businesses to operate, with its blend of online and offline sales capabilities. While it is user-friendly, has flexible payment options, and allows vendors to work offline, be sure to remain aware of the potential costs and hardware requirements.
For those who want to expand their event management skills, the Evey App is a great tool to use. Evey simplifies event planning, ticketing, and attendee management while interacting with Shopify.
Contact us today and we will help create a solution that ensures your event runs smoothly from start to finish.