How to Turn Your Phone into a POS Device: Save Money and Earn More Profit.
- Inna Javelina
- Sep 8, 2024
- 4 min read
With the latest technology, companies and entrepreneurs are searching for more efficient ways to manage sales transactions. This is where making the right decision about Point of Sale (POS) system comes into play.
The POS system combines software, hardware, and payment services designed to track inventory, manage customer data, and facilitate sales transactions. Traditionally, POS systems were expensive, bulky, and required many additional resources.
Unlocking the power of modern smartphones to use them as POS devices offers merchants the opportunity to cut costs, improve efficiency, understand your customers better and earn more money.
Let’s talk about the benefits of using your smartphone as a POS device and what steps to take to turn it into one.
The Benefits of Turning Your Phone into a POS Device.
1. Cost-Effective
There are high upfront costs for hardware, ongoing monthly fees, and long-term contracts associated with traditional POS systems. A hidden cost of some traditional suppliers is that their contracts lock you into expensive payment processing fees, in addition to other costs. By using a smartphone as a POS device, you eliminate the need for bulky and high-maintenance equipment and can avoid costly payment fees. This, in turn, saves you money by significantly reducing initial and long-term expenses.
2. Portability
You can operate your business anywhere with a smartphone POS system. No matter where you are and what kind of business you operate, you will never miss a sale with a smartphone POS.
3. Powerful
Phone POS apps are clear and easy to use, making it possible for you and your employees to process transactions, manage inventory, and track sales without extensive training. In fact, a smartphone is typically much more powerful, and continually updated, then a separate POS system.
4. Compatibility with Business Tools
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools and accounting software can all be integrated effortlessly with smartphone POS apps. It streamlines the operations of your business and provides a comprehensive view of sales and customers.
5. Improved Customer Experience
Your customers will have a smooth and convenient checkout experience with a smartphone POS system. Incorporating email receipts and mobile payments and accepting different payment methods will significantly improve customer satisfaction. And, by eliminating paper receipts you can be much more environmentally friendly.
The Old Model: Dedicated Hardware
Typically, a business owner would follow the steps below to manage sales in-store:
Buy or rent POS hardware on long-term contracts.
Install software for the machine.
Purchase handheld terminals or card readers.
Connect to a payment system, usually involving software, gatekeepers, processors and a card network.
Connect to their bank account.
The New Model: Use a Phone as a POS Device
The power of technology reduces these steps to a smartphone and an app. For example, the Lamp Merchant App, running on iOS or Android devices, allows merchants to do the following:
Take payments.
Manage a multi-currency account.
Send money in 80+ different currencies.
Manage inventory, suppliers and employees.
Advertise products to Lamp members using AI powered personalisation tools, for free.
Analyse money in and money out using sophisticated analytics.
Tips to Maximise Profit Using Your Smartphone POS
Simply implementing a smartphone POS system doesn’t guarantee success. To boost your income, you need to unlock full capabilities by implementing various tactics and strategies.
1. Track and Analyse Sales Data
Take advantage of the reporting features of your POS app to monitor best-selling products, sales trends and pinpoint peak hours. Using the acquired data, you can make informed decisions regarding marketing strategies and inventory management.
2. Offer Different Payment Options
By accepting various payment methods, you address the diverse preferences of your clients. The ability to be flexible can increase sales and improve customer satisfaction.
3. Build Up Customer Loyalty
Utilise your POS system to encourage customer loyalty. Many apps enable you to gather customers’ contact details, develop reward programs, or provide exclusive promotions to returning clients.
4. Optimise Inventory Management
Integrate your POS system with inventory management tools to monitor stock levels in real time. This will help you prevent stock shortages, minimise excess inventory, and ensure the availability of the best-selling products.
5. Cut Down on Transaction Fees
Certain POS applications come with lower transaction fees compared to standard merchant accounts. Investigate and compare the fees of different apps to find the most cost-effective option for your business.
6. Join Lamp and Get Superpowers
Lamp eliminates the need for any intermediaries. It can be used to accept payments on its own as an alternative to expensive POS systems, or you can also integrate Lamp into an existing POS system. Find out more about the benefits and unique Lamp features on the merchant page of our website.
Conclusion
To sum it up, transforming your smartphone into a POS device provides multiple benefits for businesses looking to simplify operations, increase profitability, and reduce costs. By utilising the flexibility and convenience of smartphone POS solutions, you can enhance transaction efficiency, eliminate expenses on hardware, and enhance the overall customer experience.
Find new opportunities for growth and prosperity with smartphone POS technology.