How to Select the Most Cost-Effective POS System for Your Business

Every penny counts, especially if you are a small business owner. And if we’re talking about Point of Sale (POS) systems, finding one that’s both powerful and budget-friendly can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

The good news? Cost-effective POS solutions are out there, ready to streamline your operations without breaking the bank. The trick is knowing where to look and what to look for.

That’s exactly why we’ve created this guide! We’ve sifted through the options to bring you a clear comparison of budget-friendly POS systems, including Jovvie, Square, Shopify, and Clover. We’ll show you how to get more bang for your buck, highlighting the best features that offer the best return on investment.

Selecting the ideal POS system for your small business

While your specific needs are unique, certain features can benefit almost any business. Let’s break down the essentials:

• A good POS system keeps track of your inventory in real time, helping you avoid stockouts and overstock situations. This feature alone can save you hours of work and prevent lost sales.
• Look for a POS that offers tools to track customer preferences, purchase history, and contact information. These features can help you personalize your service and boost customer loyalty.
• Your business won’t stay the same size forever. Choose a POS that can grow with you, handling increased transaction volumes and additional locations without missing a beat.
• Your POS should work well with your other business tools, from accounting software to eCommerce platforms.

Jovvie: A comprehensive WooCommerce POS for small businesses

Jovvie is a versatile POS system packed with features that make managing both online and in-store sales easy. Trusted by businesses of all sizes across 75+ countries, Jovvie has proven itself as a reliable choice for small business owners looking for a cost-effective solution. 

Here’s what sets Jovvie apart: 

Direct WooCommerce integration and inventory management

Jovvie integrates directly with WooCommerce and sits within your WordPress dashboard, adopting your existing settings. This results in reduced setup time and fewer compatibility issues for you.

One of Jovvie’s best features is its dynamic live inventory. This keeps your online and in-store stock levels in perfect sync in real time. No more overselling or disappointed customers facing “out of stock” messages.

Jovvie goes further by managing both your online and offline sales in one unified system. This leads to improved inventory accuracy and more efficient operations overall.

Need to monitor your customers? Jovvie offers comprehensive customer management. Whether you’re adding new customers or managing returning ones, all the necessary information is readily available.

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial

Here’s what Collin and Dale, founders of TapShops, have to say:

“Using Jovvie, we can offer a ‘sell anything from anywhere’ solution to small & medium businesses. Our clients now have easy access to a POS that is always synced in real-time with in-store transactions and online sales for their business. We tried multiple WooCommerce POS plugin options, and Jovvie was by far the most stable and feature-rich option in the marketplace.”

Flexible hardware options and mobile compatibility

Jovvie is compatible with a variety of hardware options. Whether you prefer desktops, tablets, or smartphones, Jovvie accommodates this. So, you can often use your existing devices without investing in specialized POS hardware.

Prefer iOS or Android? No problem. Jovvie works smoothly on both platforms, giving you the flexibility to operate on your preferred system. Mobile compatibility is particularly beneficial for many businesses, as it allows you to process sales on the go, making it ideal for pop-up shops, markets, or any business with mobile operations.

Chris B., a partner at Hall Communications, shares his experience:

“I’d recommend Jovvie to anybody that wants to connect WooCommerce with a POS system. The interface is by far the most user-friendly of several I tested extensively. We could not have created the solution our client wanted with other POS offerings.”

Pricing

Jovvie offers a 30-day free trial, allowing you to test its features before making a commitment. After the trial ends, plans start at $19 per month for the self-hosted plugin and $29 per month for the cloud solution.

If you don’t use WordPress with WooCommerce, you can still benefit from Jovvie’s capabilities. Small businesses can request pricing for Jovvie One, our all-in-one POS platform.

Comparing top POS systems: Square, Shopify, and Clover

1. Square

Square is a leading POS and payment processing solution. It offers flexibility and ease of use, making it a popular choice for many small businesses, especially those new to POS systems. Its main features include: 

• Square Loyalty Program: Square’s built-in loyalty program helps you reward regular customers and increase customer retention without requiring special equipment.
• Offline mode: Internet down? No worries! Square helps you keep those sales rolling in even when your connection isn’t cooperating.
• Integrated tools: In addition to payments, Square offers a whole toolkit of extras like marketing, invoicing, and even business loans that work well with your POS. 

Pricing:

There’s no monthly fee for the basic plan, but you’ll have to pay transaction fees (typically around 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction). If you need more advanced features, paid plans start at $29 per month.

Ideal for: 

Square is a great fit for small-to-medium-sized businesses that need a straightforward payment processing solution. Its ease of use and low upfront costs are particularly attractive. However, keep in mind that those transaction fees can add up if you’re processing a high volume of sales.

2. Shopify POS

Best known for its eCommerce capabilities, Shopify also offers a POS system that integrates with its online store platform. Its features include: 

• Omnichannel selling: You can manage both online and in-person sales from one place. Customers can buy online and pick up in-store, or return online purchases to your physical location.
• Customer profiles: Shopify POS lets you capture information like names, emails, phone numbers, and purchase histories. This opens up possibilities for personalized service and targeted marketing campaigns.
• Advanced reporting: The system provides comprehensive data on sales, products, and staff performance, helping you make informed decisions about your business.

Pricing: 

Shopify’s pricing starts at $29 per month for the basic plan. Higher-tier plans offer more advanced features and lower transaction fees.

Ideal for: 

Shopify POS is particularly well-suited for businesses that already sell online and want to expand into brick-and-mortar retail. The synchronization of inventory and sales data across both platforms is a major advantage.

3. Clover

Clover is a popular choice for retailers, restaurants, and service-based businesses looking for an all-in-one payment processing and business management solution. Its features are: 

• Completely customizable: You can tailor your POS setup with various hardware, software, and apps to meet your specific needs. This makes it suitable for a wide range of industries.
• Integration with inventory apps: Clover integrates well with apps like Shopventory, allowing for advanced inventory management. You can make bulk edits and analyze sales trends easily.
• Integrated online ordering: This feature can help you expand your customer reach and improve service efficiency.

Pricing: 

Clover’s pricing starts at $32 per month for the basic plan, which lets you sell online and in person. However, there are additional costs for hardware and advanced features.

Ideal for: 

Clover’s comprehensive features make it an excellent choice for the food service industry. Its ability to handle complex transactions, manage tables, process online orders, and schedule employees can significantly enhance operational efficiency in restaurants and cafes.

POS systems at a glance: Jovvie, Square, Shopify, and Clover

This at-a-glance comparison should make it easier for you to see which system might be the best fit for your business needs:

While this table offers a quick comparison, your ideal POS system will depend on your business requirements. Think about your specific industry needs, transaction volume, and growth plans when making your decision. 

Advanced features and industry-specific solutions to maximize ROI

Let’s talk about getting the most value from your POS system. While basic transactions are essential, advanced features can really boost your ROI by streamlining operations and providing valuable insights. Here are some features that can make a big difference:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Modern POS systems offer CRM tools that go way beyond just storing contact information. They can track what your customers buy, when they buy it, and even predict future purchases. With this information, you can create personalized offers and loyalty programs that keep customers coming back. It’s a great way to build stronger relationships and increase customer lifetime value.
• Reporting and analytics: Good POS systems provide detailed reports on sales trends, product performance, and employee productivity. You can easily see what’s selling well, which times are busiest, and how your team is performing. Plus, with real-time dashboards, you can check on your business performance whenever you want, giving you the info you need to make smart decisions quickly.
• Industry-specific solutions: Different businesses have different needs, and that’s where industry-specific POS solutions come in handy. They include features tailored to your type of business. For example, a restaurant POS might have table management features, while a retail system might focus on barcode scanning. Jovvie understands this need for flexibility, offering a system you can customize to fit your specific business, whether you’re in retail, food service, or another industry. 

Making the right choice: Selecting your ideal cost-effective POS system

We’ve covered a lot of ground here, from essential features to pricing structures and industry-specific needs. The goal is to find a POS system that integrates well with your business, making your operations more efficient and your life easier.

Jovvie is a solid option, especially for small business owners. It offers all the features we’ve discussed, plus it works great with WooCommerce. This means you can keep your online and in-store inventory synchronized without much effort. Another plus: You can use it on various devices, so there’s no need to invest in expensive custom hardware!

Ready to take your business to the next level? Start your free trial with Jovvie today and discover how the right POS system can transform your operations, boost your bottom line, and delight your customers.

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial

The Best Point of Sale
for WooCommerce

Your products, customers, orders & inventory automatically synced, always ready for you to sell your products anywhere!

Start Free Trial