The average consumer today is extraordinarily informed. Technology is a key driver of this change and has shifted consumer expectations and the point of sale experience has consequently been re-made. The best cutting edge retail experiences integrate highly customer centric point of sale interactivity. Top brands such as Nike and Apple create futuristic charm via mobile point of sale transactions.

Mobile Point of Sale Transactions

According to a 2014 Forrester Research report as reported by Biz Tech Magazine, 79 percent of retailers will have mobile point of sale solutions before the end of 2015. This trend means you will need to provide your customer with a seamless and expedient retail experience to avoid the bottlenecks of traditional in-store shopping. If you have not jumped on the mobile point of sale bandwagon, you had better do it soon or your business will be left behind.

Benefits of a Mobile POS System

A mobile point of sale system will unleash your sales staff from fixed locations and enrich your customer interaction to enhance their sales experience, according to Appliance Retailer. The end result will be increased sales, enhanced efficiency and heightened customer satisfaction. Wait times will be reduced and you will equip your staff to close the sale at a time and place convenient for the customer. For the customer, the purchase decision and transaction will be completed just seconds after selecting a product rather than standing in queue and possibly leaving without buying. Put simply, you will be able to serve more customers more quickly.

By switching to mobile point of sale you will be able to replace some, if not all, of your traditional checkout counters with merchandise. You will add to your bottom line and dramatically increase your other sales metrics by increasing your sales per square foot. The iPad tablet is a low cost alternative to traditional non-mobile, purpose-built point of sale devices. Also, well supported iPad platforms can be synched with a vast selection of point of sale peripherals. There is broad application support in which your employees will gain access to review inventory, customer history, and loyalty program details. GPS and Wi-Fi location functionality provide a platform for apps to communicate with nearby stores to direct customers to available inventory and other resources. Emerging technologies of the future will be easily deployed with new readers and updated software to support transactions rather than having to replace an entire point of sale system which can cost thousands of dollars.

According to the research firm, IHL as reported by Fortune, customers spend 20 to 25 percent more in a mobile point of sale environment than they would in an old-fashioned over the counter transaction. The reason is the customer feels they are working as a team with the sales person to solve a problem. This environment creates mutual trust, and removes traditional barriers between the customer and sales staff allowing for the sale of add-on items to complement the original item.

Choosing a Mobile POS System

The best mobile point of sale systems will incorporate a device the consumer is comfortable using. The most popular device used by businesses for their mobile point of sale operations is the iPad tablet. The iPad has also emerged as the preferred tool for consumers in both the personal and business realm.

An integrated iPad point of sale system has created a dramatic positive shift in visual appeal. The antiquated look of old-fashioned cash registers is replaced with beautiful, streamlined, portable, convenient, and of course, functional hardware.  By using a touchscreen device such as an iPad you will offer your customers an easy, fresh way to pay for products and services. Moreover, Bluetooth connectivity allows mobile printing, scanning, card reading, and the ability to offer a paperless option and email a receipt.

How to Add Value to Your POS User Experience

To create a better customer service experience with iPad point of sale systems, there are numerous software apps to choose from. Whether your business is convenience, boutique, restaurant or wholesale, the appropriate iPad app should be tailored to suit your needs.

Choosing the best hardware is also important. You will want to find the right matrix of iPad point of sale software and hardware to best suit your customer service objectives. The best point of sale hardware should be aesthetically pleasing and highly functional. For example, an iPad stand such as the Windfall iPad stand from Shopify can be accessorized and it’s small and light enough to move around, but can be made secure if needed. The iPad stand should provide ease of access and versatility for the customer and capability to capture signatures.

When choosing a mobile point of sale provider, look for an end-to-end solution tailored to your business needs. You should be able to easily receive all the hardware you need and effortlessly download the corresponding iPad app to get started. In fact, the best in brand point of sale providers offer the iPad app for free. Stay on the cutting edge by providing a retail experience which integrates highly customer centric point of sale interactivity. This futuristic charm is achieved via mobile point of sale transactions.