Jump-start effective marketing campaigns for your small business with a point of sale system.

Even if you have an endless supply of cash and a product that people are clamoring for, your small business will go nowhere without one essential element: An effective marketing strategy. With radio on the decline and television becoming increasingly divided into interest sectors, you need a way to create the buzz that will be that perfect catalyst to set your business apart. Believe it or not, it comes in the form of a software-hardware combination known as the point of sale system.

Point of sale system defined.

On the surface, a point of sale (POS) solution may seem to be nothing more than a way to accept payments. While this makes it worthy in its own right, that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what today’s smart POS solutions can do. These innovative solutions consist of several components.

• A terminal. This is the brains of the operation, which the payment platform software is downloaded onto. This serves as the hub that all other parts connect into.
• Card readers. These can be attached directly to the terminal or can be wireless, able to go anywhere, and accept mobile payments across town or around the world.
• Peripherals such as barcode scanners, cash drawers, and receipt printers that allow you to carry out numerous business-related tasks.
• Software that communicates with your payment processing company and also allows you to streamline tasks such as inventory and employee management, customer relations, sales forecasting, reporting, and integration with other tools.

In many respects, your POS system can function as your silent, ultra-efficient, and talented partner, streamlining a wide array of business tasks to make your job easier and allow you to devote more time to your customers.

POS: Your most effective marketing tool.

The key to generating that spark of interest among potential customers occurs when you know precisely who those buyers are and what they are most passionate about. If you had countless staff or all the time in the world, you might be able to survey thousands of people to learn about their demands and desires. Although that isn’t possible, the right POS solution can be a highly effective gatherer of exactly the data you need to succeed. Below are just three of the ways it can transform your next advertising effort.

Aggregate data about your current customers.

Every time someone makes a purchase, it can be recorded by your POS system. This is a gold mine of data that can give you insights into the preferences and buying behaviors of your customer base as a whole. With just a few clicks, you can find out about the demographics, seasonal preferences, and buying patterns of your shoppers. Armed with these details, you’ll be in a far better position to make forecasts that can set your business’s course onto a successful path.

Shape your marketing using these insights.

Once you have a better idea of the community you serve, it’s time to step up your advertisements. Establishing dynamic pages on social media sites such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok will enable you to post relevant content that taps into the interests that you have already identified. Be sure to offer rich content, including compelling demonstrations and customer testimonials. Update your pages regularly, and remember that incentives for positive reviews are always appreciated. Don’t forget: Social media gives you a way to make your brand memorable and even provides a forum in which your satisfied customers can give you free advertising.

Show off your products.

Social media is one of the best ways to spread the word about both bestselling items, and those you want to promote in hopes of future success. In addition, however, you may be able to create a marketing plan that leverages one of the features of many modern POS systems. We’re talking about a screen that faces the customer while they are waiting in line at the checkout counter. You can set this screen to display promotional offers, special deals, and limited-time-only sales to promote additional impulse purchases. While what someone buys might only represent a few dollars, this tactic is a highly effective way to make your brand even more memorable. 

No matter what payment platform you use, today’s feature-rich POS systems can be invaluable tools. In addition to furnishing you with real-time information about your inventory and sales trends, they can offer you access to vital data about your customers that you can utilize to your advantage. Put a powerful point of sale solution to work for you, and your next marketing campaign is sure to be innovative and successful.