For online stores, having a reliable POS system that integrates well with eCommerce platforms is crucial for managing sales, tracking inventory, and providing a smooth customer experience. A good POS system can streamline operations, automate processes, and provide valuable insights into business performance. Below are the top POS tracking solutions for online stores, highlighting features that are especially useful for eCommerce businesses.
1. Shopify POS
Overview:
Shopify is one of the most popular POS systems for online and brick-and-mortar businesses. Shopify POS is fully integrated with Shopify’s eCommerce platform, making it ideal for businesses that operate both online and in-person stores.
Key Features:
- Unified Inventory Management: Shopify POS syncs inventory between your online store and physical locations in real time, ensuring you never sell more stock than you have available.
- Order Tracking: It tracks orders, payments, and shipping in real-time, whether the order was placed online or in-store.
- Customer Profiles: Automatically creates customer profiles with purchase history, enabling personalized marketing and promotions.
- Sales and Analytics: Detailed reports on sales, order trends, and customer behavior to optimize inventory and sales strategies.
- Mobile POS: Allows you to process sales on the go, which is great for events, pop-up stores, or mobile sales.
Pricing:
- Starts at $29/month for the basic Shopify plan (includes POS features).
- Shopify POS Pro is available for $89/month per location.
Best For: Businesses with both online and offline stores looking for a seamless system to manage orders and inventory across all channels.
2. Lightspeed eCommerce POS
Overview:
Lightspeed is a cloud-based POS system with strong features for online stores, particularly those that require advanced inventory management, detailed reporting, and seamless eCommerce integration.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Inventory Tracking: Keeps stock levels synced in real-time between your online store and physical locations.
- Multi-Channel Sales: Helps you manage online sales, in-store sales, and even mobile orders from a single dashboard.
- Order Tracking: Provides detailed order management and tracking from purchase to fulfillment, including back orders and special orders.
- Customer Management: Tracks customer purchase behavior and integrates with loyalty programs to encourage repeat business.
- Advanced Reporting: Customizable reports that track sales, order trends, and inventory, helping you make data-driven decisions.
Pricing:
- Starts at $69/month for the basic eCommerce plan.
- Free trial available for 14 days.
Best For: Medium to large online stores needing a robust POS solution with multi-location and advanced reporting capabilities.
3. Square for Retail (Online & In-Store Integration)
Overview:
Square POS is widely used by small businesses and offers an integrated solution for both online and offline stores. Square’s eCommerce integration allows you to track sales, inventory, and orders seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Square POS helps track inventory in real-time across your online and physical store. You can manage stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and reorder products directly through the system.
- Order Tracking: Tracks online and in-store orders, from payment to fulfillment.
- Customer Profiles: Square automatically builds customer profiles, tracks purchase history, and enables you to offer personalized promotions.
- Multi-Location Support: Manage multiple locations and sync inventory and orders between stores and online.
- Detailed Reporting: Provides sales, inventory, and customer data to help you optimize performance.
Pricing:
- Free plan for basic features.
- Paid plans start at $12/month.
Best For: Small to medium-sized online stores that need an affordable, simple, and efficient POS system with both in-store and online capabilities.
4. Vend POS
Overview:
Vend is a flexible cloud-based POS system that integrates well with eCommerce platforms. It’s an excellent choice for businesses that want a POS system with strong inventory management, multi-location support, and detailed analytics.
Key Features:
- Unified Inventory Tracking: Vend synchronizes inventory between your online and physical stores, ensuring accurate stock levels and preventing overselling.
- Order Management: Track orders from purchase through to fulfillment, with tools to manage back orders and special requests.
- Customer Management: Builds detailed customer profiles and tracks purchasing behavior to support loyalty programs and personalized marketing.
- Sales Analytics: Advanced reporting that includes sales trends, order history, and inventory performance.
- Multi-Store Support: Vend is perfect for businesses with multiple locations and allows you to manage all sales channels from one dashboard.
Pricing:
- Starts at $99/month for the basic plan.
- 30-day free trial available.
Best For: Retail businesses with an online presence and those looking for a POS system that’s both powerful and easy to use.
5. BigCommerce POS
Overview:
BigCommerce is primarily known for its eCommerce platform, but it also offers a fully integrated POS system that works well for businesses selling online and in physical stores. BigCommerce POS is ideal for businesses that want a seamless integration between their online store and POS system.
Key Features:
- Unified Inventory Management: Automatically syncs inventory between your online store and physical locations, reducing the risk of stockouts or overselling.
- Order Tracking: Tracks orders across multiple channels and provides a single view of sales and fulfillment.
- Advanced Reporting: Offers sales, inventory, and customer behavior reports to help optimize sales and stock management.
- Customer Profiles: Centralizes customer data from online and in-store purchases for personalized marketing and promotions.
- Multi-Channel Sales: Seamlessly integrates with online marketplaces, social media platforms, and physical stores.
Pricing:
- Plans start at $29.95/month for the basic eCommerce plan (POS included).
- Free trial available.
Best For: Businesses that rely heavily on eCommerce and want to seamlessly integrate online and offline sales through a single platform.
6. Clover POS
Overview:
Clover is a flexible and customizable POS system that can work for a wide range of online businesses. While it is often associated with retail, it also offers solutions for online stores through integrations with eCommerce platforms.
Key Features:
- Integrated Inventory Management: Tracks inventory across multiple sales channels (in-store, online, and mobile).
- Order Tracking: Manages online and in-store orders, providing full visibility into each order’s status and fulfillment.
- Customer Management: Builds customer profiles with purchase history and integrates loyalty programs.
- Analytics and Reporting: Provides sales and order data to help businesses monitor trends and optimize their operations.
- Customizable Hardware: Clover offers a range of hardware options (such as tablets, card readers, and printers), making it a flexible solution for online stores.
Pricing:
- Software starts at $14.95/month, with hardware priced separately.
- Transaction fees apply.
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses that need a flexible, scalable solution with options for both in-store and online sales.
7. Revel Systems POS
Overview:
Revel Systems is an advanced POS system that offers robust features for inventory tracking and order management. It is suited for businesses that require a highly customizable solution to manage both online and offline sales channels.
Key Features:
- Inventory Management: Real-time inventory syncing between your online store and physical locations.
- Order Management: Complete order tracking from purchase to fulfillment, with features to manage complex orders and back orders.
- Analytics: Advanced sales, order, and inventory reporting to improve performance and decision-making.
- Customer Data: Collect customer profiles and track order histories to offer personalized services and promotions.
- Multi-Location Support: Ideal for businesses with multiple stores and online channels.
Pricing:
- Custom pricing based on business needs (contact for a quote).
- Free demo available.
Best For: Larger online stores or businesses looking for a highly customizable, scalable POS system.
Conclusion
When choosing the best POS tracking solution for your online store, it’s essential to consider your business needs, such as whether you also have a physical location, how you handle inventory, and the level of reporting and analytics you require.
- Shopify POS and BigCommerce POS are excellent choices for businesses with both online and physical stores that need a unified platform.
- Lightspeed eCommerce POS and Vend POS offer robust features with strong inventory management for growing eCommerce businesses.
- Square for Retail is ideal for small online businesses that need an affordable, simple-to-use system with integrated online and offline capabilities.
- Clover POS and Revel Systems offer flexible and customizable solutions for businesses with more complex needs.
Each of these systems offers robust features for tracking orders, managing inventory, and providing detailed analytics to optimize your online store’s performance. Consider your budget, business scale, and specific requirements when choosing the best solution for your online store.