5 Common Point Of Sale Problems & Solutions
Want to avoid the top mistakes small businesses make with their POS systems? Learn about common POS problems and how to fix them.
If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance you’re having problems with your point of sale (POS) system — or you’re buying a POS system and want to avoid common problems. Even the best POS systems can occasionally disrupt your business operations and cause stress.
We’ll walk you through some of the most common POS problems and solutions to help you figure out your pain points, how you can fix them, and how to avoid them in the future.
5 Common Point Of Sale Problems & Solutions
A POS system is a combination of hardware and software that is used by a business to take payments. These systems can also perform various business functions like inventory tracking, employee management, and online selling.
Amongst other benefits of a POS system, a great POS will streamline your day-to-day operations and increase your overall productivity. But, like any technology, you will run into some issues that require some troubleshooting or support from the POS provider’s customer service team.
Here are some of the most common POS issues and how to fix them:
You’re Using The Wrong POS System
You’re going to run into problems if you choose the wrong POS system for your niche/non-traditional business.
If you pick a general POS system that has good ratings but none of the features your business needs, you’re going to find yourself constantly struggling, and there’s nothing customer support can do to help you.
Need help finding a new POS system? Our article on the best POS systems for small businesses is a great place to start.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Your POS system doesn’t have the features you need. | Research potential systems carefully by checking websites, reading reviews, contacting sales reps, etc. to learn what features are available before committing to a POS system. |
You Installed Your POS System Incorrectly
You have the right POS system with all the features you need, but for some reason, you can’t get it to work with your hardware or other software. If you haven’t already, check out our complete POS hardware buyer’s guide to see if something is missing from your POS suite.
If you install your POS system incorrectly, you’re going to spend a lot of time trying to fix the problem, and that’s only if your POS provider has decent support options. You might even over-purchase hardware you don’t need and make the process even more difficult for yourself.
In the end, it will save you time, money, and energy to have your POS system installed professionally, either by the provider or the hardware vendor.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
Your POS system isn’t working with your hardware. | Have your POS system professionally installed. |
You Violated Your Merchant Services Agreement
An unfortunate but not uncommon POS issue is well-meaning business owners accidentally violating their merchant agreement.
The most common ways a merchant services agreement is violated is by:
- Processing too many transactions
- Selling high-risk items without informing your POS provider
It’s important to read all of your paperwork carefully and to understand the terms and agreements set in place.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
You violated your merchant services agreement unknowingly. | Closely read any paperwork you sign, stick to processing limits, and only sell what is allowed. |
You Didn’t Secure Your POS
It happens — you are so intent on setting up your system that you don’t know what steps you should take to protect yourself and your customers from fraud. Is your system protected? If not, you are making a huge mistake.
Allowing your POS to fall victim to fraud is another major POS problem among small businesses. To prevent this costly mistake, it’s important to regularly maintain and check your POS to make sure it meets PCI-DSS compliance standards. These tasks include keeping antivirus software up-to-date, assigning a unique ID to each person with computer access, changing passwords/access information when an employee leaves your business, and using a private WiFi network.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
You didn’t secure your POS and have now been the victim of fraud. | Maintain your POS system with regular updates, change passwords when employees leave, secure and encrypt your WiFi network, and train employees on secure card transactions. |
You Aren’t Using All Of Your POS Features
This is a much less costly mistake than any of the others, but it is an important one to fix nonetheless.
Your POS system does much more than just process payments. You can use built-in or integrated features for:
- Marketing campaigns
- Inventory management
- eCommerce/marketplace selling
- POS reporting
- Customer loyalty solutions/programs
So take some time to explore your POS system to learn what features you could use. Don’t invest in extras without exploring the full suite of options and integrations ready at your fingertips.
Problem | Solution |
---|---|
You aren’t taking advantage of features your POS system offers that you already pay for. | Explore your POS system, ask customer support questions, and start trying out unfamiliar features. |
The Bottom Line On POS Issues
With time, patience, and research, your POS system will run with (almost) no issues.
Technology isn’t perfect, no matter who wields it, but you can get it pretty close by avoiding the mistakes above. Our best piece of advice is to research your POS options and fully understand your merchant agreement before signing any contracts.
Not sure if you’ve found the right POS system? We’ve got you covered! Check out our article on how to choose a POS system.