Finding The Perfect POS System For Your Pet Business

Pet retailers– does your POS system do what you need it to do?

Or are you brand new in the pet industry and have no idea where to start when it comes to choosing your POS system?

A POS system that works well for you and your pet business can be a gamechanger! But honestly, there are so many options for pet retailers out there that it can be exhausting to come to a confident decision.

Don’t give up hope, Pet Boss.

If you currently have a POS system that is not working for your business, hang in there. Switching comes with its struggles, but it will be worth it in the end for you and your pet business (including your customers!).

(And here’s a little tip for those making a switch: Keep access to your old system for 6-12 months so you can pull any information that might not transition over!)

Ultimately, we want you to find that dreamy POS system that makes your life so much easier and that you feel confident in, but it will take a bit of worthwhile research. That’s why we’re sharing some thoughts you should consider before you take the plunge.

So, what should you be looking for in a POS system?

While there might be some very customized specifics that apply to you, these are some features that are essential for pet businesses across the board!

User-friendliness.

There will always be a learning curve involved with anything new, but intuitiveness is your friend. If you are doing a demo of a new POS system, take note of how the process feels. Is it overwhelming? Did you find it simple to use, or did you struggle through it? Could you imagine yourself easily training someone else to use that system?

Security.

How is your information and your clients’ information protected? Are there various firewalls in place? Do not be afraid to ask these questions and make sure you are choosing something that is as secure as possible. If you are handling credit cards in your business, you need to must be PCI compliant. Want to learn more about cybersecurity? Watch this interview with guest expert Brian Linning.

Important integrations.

There are some non-negotiable integrations we see mentioned by a large majority of pet retailers in our free Pet Boss Nation Facebook community– like the Astro Loyalty program. Check out whether or not the programs you use can be integrated into your POS system. Can you accept gift cards? How about an SMS service to make it easy to communicate with your clients? Prioritize your integrations to determine which POS system will work best for you specifically.

A robust customer database.

Gone are the days when pet retailers are just looking to collect a name and phone number when making a sale! A great POS system can do even more to make it simple to stay connected and communicative with your customers. These days, you’ll want custom field freedom– like adding pet’s names, birthdays, special notes about the customer, tagging programs they’re interested in, and MORE depending on your marketing plans.

Wonderful customer service.

Nothing in life is perfect, and eventually, you’ll run into a question or inquiry about your POS system. When that happens, what kind of support can you expect? Ask about the company’s customer service availability and what to do if something goes wrong. You want a company that can quickly help a busy and thriving Pet Boss!

Cloud-based.

Access to your pet business from anywhere? Yes, please! This makes your life so much easier and gives you the freedom to work from home, off location, or host pop-up events anywhere.

Online store integration.

Even if you don’t sell inventory online right now, it might be something you’re considering for the future of your pet business, so having online store integrations already in place will make the process smoother when you take that step.

There are some other features POS systems can offer that aren’t necessarily deal-breakers but are nice for pet shop owners to have, like:

Contactless payment.
The ability to set up subscriptions and/or recurring billing options.
Selling by weight (for those pet retailers offering buffet-style treat bars, for example).
Distributor inventory synching (for simple restocks).

Now it’s time to explore some options! Here is a list of some of our favorites. You can contact them to schedule a demo:

Is your pet business service-based rather than retail-based? Here are a few software systems worth checking out:

The POS system that is right for your pet business is out there… now it’s time to find it, Pet Boss!

Learn more with us!

Need 1:1 support to make massive action now? Book a discovery call with us to see if working 1:1 with Candace is the right fit for you.

Get on the waitlist! You’re passionate about pets. It’s time to have a business that supports the life you want, too! Learn the specific techniques to find new customers, to increase sales and to build a better team for ANY kind of pet business by joining the Pet Boss Club! Get on the waitlist here.