How to choose the best POS system for your consulting firm.

Providing excellent service to your customers could not be more important when you run a consulting business. Your reputation hinges upon ensuring the security and efficiency of all that you provide, including how you process payments. Selecting the right point of sale (POS) system is essential if you want to turn your commitment to your clients into action.

What is a POS system?

In simple terms, your POS system is a combination of payments hardware and software. It consists of a credit card reader, cash drawer, receipt printer, and payment processing and business management programs and can often contain additional peripherals like barcode scanners. Choosing the right POS system for your consulting firm can not only facilitate safe and secure payments but also enhance numerous other aspects of your operations. The following tips can assist you in your search for the right POS solution for your firm. 

Find a payment processing company with industry expertise.

As a consultant, your company has priorities and needs that differ from those of generic retail shops or restaurants. The POS solution that your processing company provides should be an embodiment of this fact. The vendor you choose will hopefully enlist help from experts in specialty products, development, and security that relates directly to your field. If you use niche software such as accounting programs to serve your customers, be sure the point of sale solution you choose will integrate seamlessly with what you are already using.

Demand flexible invoicing.

As a consultant, you probably are paid at your office most of the time. However, you want a POS solution that also allows you to send invoices to your customers so that they can pay online from their computer or mobile device. In other words, be sure to choose a solution that has secure online payment pages in addition to hardware and software that facilitates secure in-person transactions.

Choose a POS system that provides payment choice.

Consultants thrive when they can cultivate long-standing relationships with their clients. Whether you are helping to design a website or preparing someone’s taxes each year, your services may be requested regularly. Providing your valued customers with maximum security and choice when it comes to paying you is to everyone’s advantage.

It is your POS solution that functions as the main intermediary between you and your clients. Choosing one with features that make contactless payments possible demonstrates to your clients that you place their safety, security, and preferences at the top of your priority list. Furthermore, a POS system that accepts as many card types as possible helps to make resolving bills seamless and stress-free.

Incorporate recurring billing into your business.

Before you decide on a particular POS solution, make sure it is capable of recurring billing. In most of today’s systems, this feature can be turned on by the payment services provider. Once it is activated, you and your clients can agree to have a set amount of money withdrawn from an account or credit card on a specific date or at a set time interval for a predetermined duration of time. For instance, you could arrange for $50 to be withdrawn automatically from the customer’s bank account on the first business day of each month for the next year.

When you choose a POS system that is designed to accept recurring billing, both you and your customers benefit. There is no guesswork involved in when money will be taken or from which account, making it possible for you to have more control of your cash flow. Furthermore, you’ll have all the information you need to maintain a dynamic relationship and contact your customers with sales promotions.

When you do your research and pick the right POS system, you can put it to work to take your consulting business to the next level. With its reporting and customer loyalty capabilities, it will quickly become an invaluable partner that helps to increase client loyalty and keep the back office of your consulting business running smoothly.