The Changing Role of Point-of-Sale Mobile Applications

Smartphones and tablets have now taken centre stage in regards to Internet access and connectivity. Thanks to a host of advanced hardware features as well as nearly universal wireless Internet, a growing number of consumers are now using these devices to regularly purchase products and services. It, therefore, makes perfect sense that a growing number of e-commerce providers have been looking to adapt their existing POS (point-of-sale) systems to accommodate this demographic. What does the average client expect when employing such a service and are there any providers which have risen head and shoulders above the competition?

What do Customers Expect from a Point-of-Sale Interface?

We live in a world defined by convenience. As a direct result, the average consumer expects that his or her needs will be catered to with lightning-fast speed and clarity. Gone are the days of clumsy payment interfaces and dubious electronic gateways. Any mobile payment app now needs to boast a sense of transparency alongside a dedicated user-friendly nature if the business expects to tap into such a lucrative marketplace.

On the other hand, point-of-sale applications also need to possess a dynamic and agile nature. Updates should take place when required without experiencing any type of downtime. In the event that a client has a question, he or she must be immediately routed to the appropriate help department or to a qualified customer service representative. Other amenities such as numerous payment methods, SSL encryption and device-agnostic architecture are further qualities which serve to separate the best apps from those to be avoided at all costs. So, are there any e-commerce providers which have risen to the top of their game?

Choosing the Right Provider

There are literally hundreds of point-of-sale applications available for mobile devices and yet, only a handful actually deliver what they promise to the end user. One example of how technology has been leveraged with a user-friendly edge can be seen in the mobile-responsive architecture offered by Shopify. Not only is this one of the fastest growing e-commerce providers in the world, but their dedicated applications are ideally suited for the seller and the buyer alike.

While basic payment options are offered, the real beauty of this system can be seen in its finer points. Customers can now scan QR and bar codes with the click of a button. Receipts can be printed, sales can be tracked and sellers can monitor the status of their inventory while out and about. These are only a handful of the features which have served to define such an interface and new accessories are being added on a regular basis.

The world of smartphone applications is expanding on a daily basis and we might witness a time in the not-so-distant future when such transactions represent the bulk of online retail sales. This is why it is important to understand and appreciate what separates a worthwhile application apart from generic options. It will be interesting to see what 2019 has in store.