When you think of marketing you likely don’t think about your point of sales (POS) system. Odds are you know this system as a tool that makes processing sales more efficient, reduces checkout time, improves inventory management, and offers a more positive experience for customers. But did you know that your POS system can, in fact, help to improve your business’ marketing?
What’s great about modern POS systems is that they’re truly an integral part of your business. With the right system, you can collect data about customers, run smarter marketing campaigns, and even run sales and discounts that will bring in the most profit.
Keep reading to learn about the 5 different ways that point of sale software can improve marketing.
1. Create a Loyalty Program
With a POS system not only can you see which products are selling the most, but you can also see which customers are consistently purchasing from your company. Using this information you can develop a rewarding loyalty program that shows your top customers just how much you value them.
A loyalty program should be exclusive to your top customers and should offer things like exclusive sales, monthly discounts, and even early access to new products. Going above and beyond for your repeat customers allows you to build brand ambassadors that will stick with you for years to come.
By offering a loyalty program, you’re also more likely to attract younger customers. In fact, around 63% of millennial and Generation Z shoppers won’t commit to a brand that doesn’t offer loyalty benefits.
2. Impulse Purchases
There’s a good reason why retail and even grocery stores fill the check-out area with small inexpensive items such as candy, magazines, phone chargers, and even earbuds. The fact is that impulse purchases work to your advantage.
Impulse purchases are a great way to encourage customers to spend more money without completely blowing their budget. Having low-cost accessories near the checkout lines increases the chance that customers will pick up an item or two, even if it isn’t on their “to buy” list.
You can also use the checkout area to stock items that aren’t selling well and are deeply discounted. The lower the price, the more likely a customer is to make an impulse buy. This is also a great way to make room in your inventory.
3. Collect Consumer Data
Many of today’s POS systems have the ability to collect customer data that you can use for marketing campaigns. During the transaction process, you can design the system to ask the customer if they want to sign up for your business’ rewards program, or if they want to provide their email to receive discounts and other money-saving deals. Using the POS system you can collect all sorts of information including:
- Full name
- Zip code
- Email address
- Demographic data
With this information, you can run more targeted marketing campaigns. Targeted campaigns are a great way to provide a personalized experience for customers who are considering your business but haven’t yet become repeat buyers.
4. Host Pop Up Shops
Pop up booths are growing in popularity and thanks to mobile POS systems, you can process transactions even when you’re outside of your traditional retail space. Using a mobile POS system you can open shop at a busy intersection, at a local mall, or during a tradeshow. Pop up shops aren’t only fun, they’re a huge boost to your company’s marketing abilities.
With a pop-up store, you’re able to market to a new audience. Foot traffic is a great way to get the word out about the products or services that your company offers. The ability to process sales from wherever is a huge convenience for customers, offering a unique experience that’s sure to be memorable.
5. Gift Cards
Modern POS systems accept the purchase and use of gift cards. Gift cards are more than another way for customers to pay for their items. They also serve as a great marketing tool. Offering gift cards is a fantastic way to spread your business’ name. Customers can choose to purchase gift cards as gifts for friends, family members, and coworkers. This improves brand exposure and hopefully introduces a new customer to your business!
Gift cards can also be used as a way to encourage more purchases. You could run a promotion that offers a free $10 gift card when a customer spends $50. This is a great way to upsell, as customers are more likely to buy a few more items to meet the price threshold.
Conclusion
A point of sale system is able to do much more than process transactions and automate inventory management. High-quality systems are also able to greatly improve your business’ marketing, increasing brand visibility, and customer loyalty.