A mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) system consists of software and portable hardware that processes your shop’s transactions. It calculates sales totals, processes payments, tracks inventory, collects business data, and much more.
An mPOS system turns any tablet or smartphone into a checkout point. This capability enables you to ring customers up anywhere in your store, atpop-up shops, and even on the go. Our guide to mPOS systems has what you need to know about this essential retail technology.
Table of Contents
- What is a mobile POS system?
- How does an mPOS work?
- What are the benefits of a mobile POS?
- What hardware does an mPOS need to work?
- Is an mPOS right for your business?
- Questions to ask mPOS providers
- What makes Shopify the best mobile POS system for retail?
- How to set up Shopify’s mobile POS
- Run your business your way with a mobile POS
What is a mobile POS system?
A mobile POS system (mPOS) is a portable hardware and software system that processes sales. An mPOS is nearly the same as a traditionalPOS system, except that it doesn’t have to be anchored to one checkout counter.
With a mobile POS system, you can installPOS softwareonto a tablet or smartphone and serve customers wherever they are. Because your checkout moves wherever you need it, your shop doesn’t even necessarily need a checkout counter.
Turn store traffic into sales
With Shopify’s mobile POS, you can serve customers anywhere in your store and banish lineups at the checkout counter. Use any smartphone or tablet to process returns and exchanges, accept payments, and check out customers wherever they are.
How does an mPOS work?
Here’s an overview of how transactions work on an mPOS system:
1. Customer selects products
A shopper chooses the items they’d like to buy and brings them to a sales associate. With a mobile POS, the associate begins the transaction by scanning the item’s barcode with a barcode scanner or the tablet or smartphone’s camera, or by searching for it in the system.
2. mPOS calculates the total price
After all the items have been scanned, the mobile POS system calculates the total price of the purchase, including applicable sales tax and discounts.
3. Customer pays
Now the customer pays with a credit or debit card, cash, digital wallet, gift card, or loyalty points. If the customer is paying with cash away from the register, the associate will need to bring them change.
4. Transaction is completed
The sale is finalized after the mPOS processes payment. After the shopper decides if they want an emailed or printed receipt, they’re free to leave with the items they bought. At this point, the POS updates the store’s inventory count, factoring in the newly sold items.
What are the benefits of a mobile POS?
These are just some of the many advantages of using an mPOS:
Mobile checkout
With a POS that moves wherever you need it instead of being tethered to a checkout counter, you can check out shoppers wherever they are.
Mobile checkout virtually eliminates lines at the checkout counter, creates a faster checkout experience, and helps withline busting.
Flexible customer service
With a POS system in the palm of your hand, you have the information and tools you need to better serve customers.
You can, for example, look up inventory availability without abandoning customers. Or, you canemail shoppers a pre-loaded cartof products they tried on so they can buy online when they’re ready.
If you often find yourself serving more than one customer at a time, mobile POS systems let yousave the customer’s cart and retrieve it later. This helps you move from one interaction to the next without losing order details and precious spending time at checkout re-entering products into the customers cart.
Secure payments
Mobile POS systems like Shopify come withbuilt-in payment processing. Payment data encryption,PCI compliance, and 3D Secure compliance ensure that payment information and business data are safe.
GET STARTED:Shopify Paymentsis the fastest way to start accepting payments in-person, online, and on-the-go. It’s included in all Shopify plans, so you can skip lengthy third-party activations and go from setup to selling faster.
Easy to use
mPOS systems run on hardware you’re already familiar with and on software that’s similar to other iOS and Android apps. That makes mPOS systems intuitive to use, so you’ll understand how to use it quickly.
Dustin Kroft, of furniture brandKroft, says he basically learned how to use Shopify in five minutes.
Intuitive design also simplifies staff training. “Shopify POS is really easy to use and learn. I only have to spend about 20 minutes teaching our new hires how to use the system,” says Sophie Rankine, co-founder ofelph ceramics.
Scalable
Getting up and running when you open a new location or sell at an event is quick and easy with an mPOS. While some POS systems have a lengthy setup process, Dustin Kroft appreciated how straightforward it was toopen Kroft’s first retail store with Shopify POS.
I can set up Shopify POS in 10 minutes and it’ll already be synced with my Shopify online store’s inventory. I’m kind of blown away at how little I have to do to start transacting at the store.
Customizable
Every business is unique. With an mPOS, you can customize your home screen with shortcuts that speed up checkout. You can also expand your mPOS with loyalty, bookkeeping, and staff scheduling integrations.
PRO TIP:Shopify POShas a fully-customizable checkout experience. Create shortcuts to keep your most-used apps, promotions, and products at your fingertips so you can fly through checkout.
What hardware does an mPOS need to work?
A tablet or smartphone and a mobile card reader is all thehardware you need to get started with an mPOS. Or you could opt forShopify POS Go—a complete mPOS device that has a built-in barcode scanner andcard reader, Wi-Fi, access to customer profiles, and more.
That said, some merchants need morePOS hardwareto keep their store running smoothly.
- Tablet or smartphone
- Mobile card reader
- Barcode scanner
- Cash register
- Receipt printer
Tablet or smartphone
Most mobile POS software can run on any iOS or Android tablet or smartphone. Download your POS software onto these devices and you’re ready to make sales.
Mobile card reader
To take full advantage of an mPOS, you should have a mobile card reader that accepts magstripe swipes,NFCchips, and contactless and mobile wallettap to paytransactions.
Barcode scanner
Barcode scanners make scanning products easy and convenient. And since they’re wireless, you can take them to your back store or warehouse to quickly count inventory.
然而,条形码扫描仪是一个可选的部分an mPOS system, because you can scan products with your tablet or smartphone’s camera.
Cash register
If you want to accept cash payments as part of your mPOS system, you’ll need to keep a cash register at one of your counters.
Receipt printer
mPOS systems make it easy to go paperless with email receipts. But, if you want to give customers printed receipts, keep a receipt printer next to your cash register.
GET STARTED:Ready to start shopping for point-of-sale hardware? Head to theShopify POS hardware storeto shop for hardware designed to help you check out customers at the counter, curbside, and everywhere in between.
Is an mPOS right for your business?
If you want any of the following capabilities at your store, consider using a mobile POS system.
Accept payments anywhere
With an mPOS, you can accept payments at a register, anywhere in your store, at pop-up events (like markets), and even at customers’ residences.
PRO TIP:Tap to Pay on iPhonefor Shopify POS is the fastest way to start selling your products at events, at farmers markets, or wherever your customers are. Download the Shopify POS app on your iPhone to accept contactless payments without having to buy hardware or a card reader.
Check out customers faster
Because you can ring customers up from anywhere, you can check them out faster. As a result, you won’t have sales-deterring lines throughout your store.
Count and manage inventory efficiently
With an mPOS and wireless barcode scanner, you can count inventory faster and more accurately in your back store or warehouse than if you were counting manually or with a spreadsheet.
Plus, you have a virtual record of every inventory count and stock quantity adjustment.
Unify your inventory management with Shopify
Only Shopify POS helps you manage warehouse and retail store inventory from the same back office. Shopify automatically syncs stock quantities as you receive, sell, return, or exchange products online or in store—no manual reconciling necessary.
Grow your customer list
Email receipts atmobile checkouthelp you collect customer contact information and build profiles. You can use emails and phone numbers to send offers customers won’t be able to resist.
PRO TIP:Sending digital receipts via email is a great way to collect customer contact information at checkout andbuild an email listto fuel your retention marketing. Just make sure they’ve opted in to hearing from you before sending them anything.
Bust lines
Line bustingrefers to strategies that reduce checkout queues. An mPOS helps you prevent lines by turning employees intomobile checkoutpoints. When lines are inevitable, staff can approach queued-up customers to process transactions as they wait.
Questions to ask mPOS providers
买零售技术能承受得起. Keep these questions in mind and ask them of mPOS vendors as you shop around:
- Can the mPOS work for both iOS and Android devices?
- How many POS terminals can I have?
- Can the mPOS help me speed up my checkout?
- Does the mPOS have integrated payment processing?
- Does the mPOSconnect with my ecommerce platform?
- Does the mPOS have accurate inventory and sales reporting?
- Does the mPOS have enough user logins?
- Can the mPOS help memanage staff permissions?
- Is the mPOS reliable?
- Is the mPOS easy to set up?
- Is the mPOS affordable?
Compare POS systems
What makes Shopify the best mobile POS system for retail?
When it comes to mPOS providers, one stands out from the competition: Shopify POS. Shopify is easy to use, priced competitively, and comes withfeaturesthat help your business grow.
Unlimited staff accounts
Some mPOS systems limit the number of staff accounts you can create and force you to pay for more accounts. With Shopify POS, you can create as many as you want. Our POS encourages you to expand your team instead of punishing you for it.
Unlimited POS terminals
While some POS providers charge per POS terminal, Shopifycharges per store location. If, for example, you have two stores and 10 employees, with Shopify you’d only pay for two locations instead of 10 terminals, which is typically morecost effective.
Mobile device compatibility
You can install the Shopify POS app on any Android or iOS tablet or smartphone. You can pick hardware that you prefer and fits your budget, rather than being forced to use a specific type.
Hardware rental program
If you’re selling at a pop-up for a limited time, why sink money into hardware you’ll need for a few days? WithShopify’s hardware rental program, you get best-in-class hardware—from card readers and cash registers to POS terminals and receipt printers—for when you need it.
Customizable checkout
A big benefit of Shopify POS is its customizable checkout. You canbuild your ownworkflow and make the POS work for your specific needs.
Unified inventory management
If you have a Shopify online shop, your Shopify POS will connect with it and update inventory as it’s sold, returned, or exchanged, online or in-store.
This means you can spend less time on inventory and avoid stockouts and overstocking.
GET STARTED:Shopify POScomes with tools to help you control and manage your inventory across multiple store locations, your online store, and your warehouse. Forecast demand, set low-stock alerts, create purchase orders, know which items are selling or sitting on shelves, count inventory, and more.
Centralized reporting and analytics
Only Shopify POS lets you viewreportsfor brick-and-mortar and online stores in one place. Instead of working on several platforms, exporting data, and creating spreadsheets, you can find everything in a single dashboard.
Centralized reporting helps you access the information you need faster, identify trends, take advantage of opportunities, and reach the right business decisions sooner.
PRO TIP:Only Shopify POS integrates your online and retail store data into one back office–from customer data to inventory, sales, and more. Vieweasy-to-understand reportsto spot trends faster, capitalize on opportunities, and jumpstart your brand’s growth.
Control staff permissions
Shopify POS makes it easy toassign staff rolesand customize permissions. For example, you could set up your mPOS to require a manager’s approval for returns and discounts.
PRO TIP:With Shopify POS, you can assign differentroles and permissionsand set boundaries on what store staff can do in your POS system without manager approval—like changing a product’s price or applying a custom discount to a sale.
Omnichannel selling features
当你使用Shopify mpo和Shopify在线tore, you unlock features that unifysaleschannelsand give customers a holistic shopping experience:
- With astore pickup option, online shoppers can save on shipping costs and collect products at your shop.
- Shopify’sship-to-customeroption lets you send products customers have paid for in-store to their destination of choice. This feature comes in handy with pre-sale products, large items, or products sold at pop-ups where a specific size or color wasn’t available.
- Email cartsare useful when a customer finds an item in your store but you only have the color or size they want online. Shopify users can email pre-loaded carts to customers. When customers are ready to pull the trigger, there’s nothing standing in the way.
- With Shopify POS, you can accept returns or exchanges for purchases made online or at another store location and your inventory will be updated instantly—no manual reconciliation required.
PRO TIP:Set uplocal pickupin Shopify to start offering in-store pickup as a delivery option at checkout. Pay less on last-mile delivery, speed up fulfillment times on local orders, and drive more foot traffic to your stores.
How to set up Shopify’s mobile POS
You can get up and running on Shopify’s mobile POS system in a matter of minutes. Here’s how:
1. Sign up for Shopify POS
You’ll need to share your email address, choose a password, and give your store’s name tosign up for Shopify POS.
2. Download the Shopify POS app
Next, you’ll download the Shopify POS app on your hardware of choice: aniOSorAndroidsmartphone or tablet.
3. Connect your hardware
Connect your mobile card reader and any otherhardware, like abarcode scanner,cash drawer, andreceipt printer, to your tablet or smartphone.
4. Start taking payments
Now, you’re ready to start accepting transactions andtaking payments!
Run your business your way with a mobile POS
A mobile point-of-sale system helps you open new shops faster, meet customers where they are, reduce wait times, offer secure payments, and more.Shopify’s mPOShelps your business grow with unlimited staff accounts, a cost-effective pricing model, hardware rental, customization options, and cutting-edge omnichannel features.
Sell the way your customers shop
Only Shopify POS unifies online and in-store sales and makes checkout seamless. Get all the tools you need to break free from the counter and sell wherever your customers are without worrying about your tech stack, integrations, or fragmented sales reports.
Mobile POS System FAQ
What is a mobile point of sale?
Can I use mobile as a POS?
What are POS mobile devices?
What are the four types of POS systems?
- Standalone: A basic POS system that is limited to a single terminal and does not have any network or communications capabilities.
- Integrated: These are the most common type of POS systems. They are capable of connecting to multiple terminals, peripherals, and other devices, and can communicate with a central server.
- Mobile: These are portable, wireless POS systems that are designed to be used on the go. They are often used by salespeople or delivery personnel.
- Cloud-Based: These are the most advanced type of POS systems. They are hosted in the cloud, allowing multiple terminals to access a centralized database and make real-time updates.
