Shopify POS

Ultimate guide to Shopify POS

Ultimate guide shopify pos hero

Seb Harris

8 minute read06 Jun 2023

In today's fast-paced world, it's essential for Direct-to-Consumer and retail brands to have a versatile point-of-sale system to handle sales, inventory, and customer data. Shopify POS (point of sale) is a cloud-based app that you can use to sell your products in store. As an extension of the Shopify platform, Shopify POS allows businesses to sell both in-person and online from a single platform, providing a range of features that can help streamline operations and improve sales performance.

In this whitepaper, we’ll discuss what Shopify POS is, how it works, what benefits it has for your ecommerce platform, how to get the most out of your Shopify POS, and how to install it properly. We’ve also sprinkled in some statistics that really show the power of Shopify POS.

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What is Shopify POS?

The power of Shopify POS lies in the ability to integrate with the Shopify ecommerce platform.

Shopify POS is Shopify’s answer to old school and expensive POS systems currently on the market. Previously, retailers were required to buy expensive hardware that wasn’t always easy to integrate with other software. Shopify’s POS is extremely agile, you only need a device that connects to WiFi, and their card reader. Designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, Shopify POS is easy for staff to learn and use. It offers a range of features to help manage operations effectively, including inventory management, staff management, and reporting and analytics.

The power of Shopify POS lies in the ability to integrate with the Shopify ecommerce platform. This means that you are able to manage inventory and sales data across both online and physical retail locations in a single place. There’s a wide array of customization to explore in Shopify POS, like custom receipts, setting up customer loyalty programs, and offering personalized discounts and promotions. Loads of opportunities to connect retail customer experience to your brand.

How does Shopify POS work?

Shopify POS can be set up in just a few simple steps. It can be used on a desktop or mobile device, making it easy to use in a variety of settings. To get started, you need to create a Shopify account and choose a subscription plan that suits their needs. Once the account is set up, you can start adding products to your store and create a custom storefront. Payments can be accepted through Shopify POS using a range of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments.

Filling Pieces, the Amsterdam based sneaker and fashion powerhouse, has been a happy user of Shopify POS in all their stores. By implementing Shopify POS they increased the order value by 25%. Check out the video below to hear Paulinho Chin, Commercial Director at Filling Pieces, talk about why he chose Shopify POS.

What Shopify POS brings to the table

Unlock omnichannel success

With Shopify POS, implementing an omnichannel selling strategy is child’s play. Combining online and retail offers flexibility and convenience to your customers, allowing them to choose their preferred shopping channels. Simultaneously, you are able to reach a broader audience and maximize sales potential.

Boost sales

Shopify POS empowers you to accept multiple payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, and popular mobile payment methods like Apple Pay and Google Pay. By offering diverse payment options, you can cater to customer preferences and provide a seamless checkout experience, increasing customer satisfaction and reducing barriers to purchase.

Efficient inventory management

This is a breeze with Shopify POS. It can track and update inventory in real-time, which gives better insight into stock levels and receiving notifications when products are running low. This prevents overselling and maintains optimal stock levels to meet customer demand.

Order in orders

With Shopify POS, managing orders becomes effortless. Process orders, print receipts, and generate invoices—all from a single platform. This streamlines the order fulfillment process and enables a seamless buying experience for your customers. Additionally, tracking orders, managing returns, and handling exchanges have never been this easy.

Harnessing customer insights

Shopify POS collects customer data like you have never seen before. By capturing customer information and purchase history, you have a better understanding of your customers’ preferences and behavior. This data can fuel personalized marketing campaigns, boost customer retention efforts, and elevate the overall shopping experience. Businesses leveraging Shopify POS witness a notabl boost in customer satisfaction, which ultimately fosters increased customer loyalty and repeat business. 

After adopting Shopify POS, Elph Ceramics experienced a remarkable 25% increase in its customer database and achieved an impressive retention rate of nearly 30%.

Customization

Furthermore, with Shopify POS, you can create customized storefronts that perfectly align with your unique brand identity. The platform offers a variety of templates and themes that you can customize to craft visually appealing and user-friendly storefronts.

Unleashing growth potential 

Shopify POS scales seamlessly, adapting to the growth of your business. As your business expands, Shopify POS effortlessly handles a growing number of transactions, staff members, and inventory. This scalability establishes a solid foundation for businesses to support their growth trajectory, ensuring that the system evolves alongside their changing requirements. Moreover, Shopify's extensive app marketplace provides a plethora of apps and integrations, empowering businesses to efficiently and effectively manage their operations.

Third party integrations

You have the power to seamlessly integrate Shopify POS with a multitude of third-party tools for accounting, email marketing, analytics, and more. This means you can customize the system according to your unique business requirements and maximize its potential.

Some possible cons

Tracking pixels

Setting up a new system, integrating hardware, and configuring software can be daunting. To address this challenge, Shopify provides detailed documentation, step-by-step guides, and video tutorials to assist businesses in the setup process. Additionally, Shopify offers reliable customer support to answer any technical questions and provide guidance throughout the setup phase.

Training and familiarization

Employees may require training to effectively use Shopify POS and make the most of its features. Shopify addresses this challenge by offering comprehensive training resources, including online courses and workshops, to help businesses educate their staff.

Data migration

Transferring existing product catalogs, customer data, and inventory information to Shopify POS can be time-consuming and complex. However, Shopify provides robust tools and data migration services to streamline this process. The platform offers import/export functionalities and integrations with various systems to facilitate a smooth transition of data from existing platforms to Shopify POS.

Integration with existing systems

You may use other systems, such as accounting for inventory management software, that you’d want to integrate with Shopify POS. Shopify offers a wide range of integrations and APIs that enable seamless connections between Shopify and third-party systems.

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How to install Shopify POS correctly

To guarantee optimal functionality tailored to your needs, it is crucial to install Shopify POS correctly. Follow the guide below to make sure that you can start using Shopify POS straight away.

Step 1: Choose the right hardware

Select a compatible device that meets the minimum system requirements for Shopify POS. Recommended options include iPads or iPhones running iOS 12.0 or later, or Android devices.

Step 2: Install the Shopify POS app

Download the Shopify POS app from the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).

Step 3: Set up your Shopify account

If you already have a Shopify account, sign in to the app using your existing credentials

If you don’t have an account, sign up for a free trial directly from the app.

Step 4: Connect your hardware

Connect any necessary hardware devices, such as card readers or receipt printers, to your chosen device.

Ensure the hardware is compatible with Shopify POS and follow the manufacturer's instructions for connection.

Step 5: Set up your products

Add your products to your Shopify store. This can be done manually or by importing them using a CSV file.

Ensure that all product details, including prices, images, and descriptions, are accurate.

Find more information about it on the Shopify support page.

Step 6: Customize your storefront

Personalize your storefront to align with your brand and product offerings.

Explore the available templates and themes provided by Shopify POS and select the one that suits your preferences.

Customize elements such as logo, color scheme, and layout to create a cohesive and visually appealing storefront.

How businesses use Shopify POS successfully

According to a case study conducted by Shopify, businesses such as Ryzon that adopted Shopify POS experienced a remarkable 40% surge in sales within their first months of utilizing the platform.

Filling Pieces, the visionary footwear brand hailing from the vibrant streets of Amsterdam, reported a 90% reduction in staff onboarding times and more efficient inventory management with fewer human errors. Additionally, they witnessed a 25% increase in average order value after implementing Shopify POS.

In terms of checkout possibility, Oliviers & Co., a premium brand specializing in high-quality olive oils, and gourmet food products, has revealed a 2x faster checkout at its retail store, resulting in increased revenue.

If you're considering implementing Shopify POS in your business, we are the ones to talk to. Our Shopify Consultancy team can guide you in ensuring a proper setup, tailored to your specific business needs. Check out 10 frequently asked questions about Shopify POS here.

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