What Does POS Mean? Best POS System for Small Business

Well, many businesses today that deal with paid services, meetings, and appointments can accept online payment hassle-free. But even if most bookings happen online, you can still professionally handle in-person transactions for walk-in customers with a POS system.

Online processing may not often have the flexibility the everyday scenarios require, for example, when you need to handle split payments, process tips, or charge for extra time (e.g., massage extensions, late checkout). Having a POS can solve these many challenges.

What is POS?

What does POS mean? Let’s start by answering this question. 

A POS (Point of Sale) system includes both hardware and software – connected – to handle sales, such as a cash register with a card reader and billing software. For example, a client books a haircut online and pays a deposit. Once they arrive, the stylist adds a hair treatment to the service, and at checkout, the client pays the remaining balance. They can then use a card or their phone with a digital wallet, and the POS system prints a receipt while updating the salon’s sales records for this particular client, and also inventory if required.

What are the main benefits of having a shiny new POS standing right in your salon or office? So many of them! But probably the most prominent include:

1. Process payments for walk-in customers.
2. Offer cash, credit cards, and digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) connections.
3. Improve impulsive purchases of additional services or products on-site.
4. Better manage last-minute bookings or upsells.
5. Sync transactions when back online.
6. Accept cash payments to avoid card fees.

When is it absolutely a must to have both integrated, online payments and POS? Many types of businesses can benefit:

• Salons and spas – Offer online bookings, but upsell products and add-ons in person.
• Hotels and resorts – Book stays online but then charge for in-person extras or meals.
• Gyms and studios – Online class bookings + on-site retail sales.
• Event venues – Pre-sell tickets online but leave walk-ins to POS.
• Tour and activity operators – Accept online reservations, but process last-minute bookings in person or sell souvenirs and cards.

If you are considering installing a POS in your office, you surely want to know which one suits your needs. Now, we’re going to give you more details about the top cool options to use POS for small business.

The Best POS Systems for Small Business

While your choice may first of all depend on the software you already use, there are other criteria as well. Let’s help you choose the best POS for services and appointments business!

Stripe POS (Multipurpose)

No secret Stripe is one of the most chosen payment processing solutions across the globe, from the USA to Europe, Asia to Australia, allowing you to reach customers in 46 countries.

BBPOS WisePOS E by Stripe is a seamless smart reader with a touchscreen display for countertop and handheld use. Relying on this POS by Stripe, you unlock access to tons of software, for example, appointment scheduling, that work with Stripe.

Small and comfortable, with Memory 2 GB RAM, powerful End-to-end encryption, and 12 hours of active use of a battery, this best POS system for small business is worth its price of $249.

 Top capabilities:

• Payment types support contactless cards, digital wallets, and Magstripe cards.
• Works with Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or offline.
• Small and lightweight.
• Smooth connection with BookingPress with the Stripe POS add-on (WordPress sites).

Mangomint POS (Beauty Salons)

Available for the US and Canada, Mangomint Pay is a POS by Mangomint, a popular scheduling software. It’s a powerful and well-designed hardware system for salons and spas. Surely, it perfectly handles payments, client management, and even keeping cards on file for an even faster checkout.

Its sleek hardware includes a Bluetooth card processor and an iPad display for easy tipping and checkout.

Top capabilities:

• Connect a compact card reader to an iPhone or iPad.
• Self-checkout, waitlist, and waiting room management.
• Deposits, direct payouts for renters, and stored cards for memberships.

Square Appointments (Multipurpose)

Many small businesses are searching for payment processors with more adequate transaction fees, and Square seems to be offering this benefit. With its powerful Square Appointments POS, you can integrate software for any service business or retail and provide your clients with even better experience. Square Appointments combines sleek POS hardware with online appointment scheduling and payment processing, so it’s perfect for any booking-based business.

Top capabilities:

• Booking, payments, marketing, and payroll all in one.
• The hardware works in the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the UK.
• Accept payments on iPhone and Android.
• Prepayments, invoices, and inventory.

Vagaro POS (Services and Bookings)

The Vagaro POS system integrates bookings and sales in person the easy way. It is a truly feature-packed, budget-friendly salon POS with seamless website integration and flexible hardware options. It offers multiple types of hardware options: cash drawers, stands, receipt printers, barcode scanners, and credit card readers.

Top capabilities:

• Works on browsers, mobile, or pay desk hardware.
• AI-powered marketing for promotional content.
• Smoothly integrated with QuickBook, Xerox, Facebook, and Zoom.

Shopify POS (Retail)

Shopify POS is one of the most powerful systems for retail business, which is made to connect your online and in-store sales. It gives you a model dashboard to manage online and in-person purchases, track stock across locations, and personalized shopping experiences.

• Supports up to 1,000 stores.
• Customer profiles, advanced reporting, staff management, and marketing features.
• Personalize your store with multiple apps, e.g. loyalty points, delivery, or barcode scanner.

Let’s Conclude about the Best POS System for Small Businesses & Service Bookings

A POS system is always more flexible to meet your needs as a service provider or small business. You never know what beauty mask a client can choose when coming to your cosmetic salon or what extra procedure they may require on-site. With a POS, you can turn all their wishes into a digital record, with full transparency. Meet better in-person payments with technology by selecting the best POS system for small business. If you are already offering online payments, using POS will simply make your entire sales cycle complete.

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