We’ve all heard the saying, “You get what you pay for.” But does this age-old adage apply to point of sale (POS) software?
If you’re searching for a new POS solution for your business, you may have seen providers advertising grocery store POS software for free.
Point of sale software is the backbone of your store’s operations, facilitating all of your sales transactions, managing your inventory, and tracking the growth of your business. As a small business owner, you know how important these features are — but the cost of an effective POS software solution may seem prohibitive.
In this blog, we’ll break down the pros and cons of getting your grocery store POS software for free to help you make the most informed decision for your business.
Pro: It’s Free
As you might expect, the main benefit of getting your grocery store POS software for free is the cost (or lack thereof).
If you’re just launching your grocery store or working with a tight budget, free POS software might be a good temporary option to provide the basic tools you need to keep your store functioning.
As an additional cost-saving measure, many free grocery POS software options also allow you to use your own hardware like mobile devices and tablets, meaning that you don’t need to invest in any extra equipment.
While sourcing your grocery store POS software for free might be a necessity if you’re operating with a small budget, it’s important to be wary of any hidden costs.
You might think that completely free POS software seems too good to be true, and unfortunately, that’s often the case. Many providers that offer grocery store POS software for free generate revenue through other means, including high credit card processing fees that eat into your profits.
Other companies will advertise their POS software for free but charge hefty fees for installation, hardware, and basic training and support. Many providers also charge a fee later on to unlock additional features.
While free POS software may seem like the most affordable option in the short term, make sure to thoroughly investigate any long-term costs that may arise down the road.
Pro: Ease of Use
Since most grocery store POS software options available for free offer only basic features, an advantage is that they are generally simple to learn and operate.
The user-friendly interface of most free grocery POS software options makes it easier to train your staff to use the system, and it can eliminate frustration that arises from too many complicated features.
Con: Limited Functionality
While free POS software might offer bare-bones functionality, it won’t have the essential features you need to keep your store running optimally and grow your business.
For example, few free grocery store POS software options offer advanced inventory management features or detailed sales reports and analytics.
While free POS software options might seem user-friendly on the surface, they often lack the customization options of more robust POS solutions. Being able to customize your POS touchscreen and dashboard can speed up the checkout process and empower your employees to offer exceptional customer service.
Pro: Good Starting Point
If you’re just beginning your journey in the grocery industry, getting your grocery store POS software for free might be your best option for now.
Free POS software is a low-risk way to learn about point of sale functions and get your business off the ground.
Over time, you’ll be able to identify which features are a priority for you and make a more informed decision as you search for a more advanced, long-term grocery store POS system.
Con: Lack of Support
When deciding whether or not to pursue grocery store POS software for free, you need to consider all the relevant what-ifs:
- What if setting up your POS software isn’t as easy as you’d hoped it would be?
- What if you’re struggling to use an essential feature?
- What if you’re encountering recurring issues and errors?
- What if your software goes offline during a business day?
These possibilities are why technical support should be a main consideration when you’re shopping for POS software for your grocery store. Software issues can wreak havoc on your business, causing frustration, inventory errors, and even lost sales.
Most paid providers offer setup assistance and 24/7 support to help you solve problems and get your software back online promptly. With many free software options, you’re on your own if you encounter issues.
Should You Get Your Grocery Store POS Software For Free?
Sourcing your grocery store POS software for free might be a good starter option for your grocery store, but it’s crucial to be aware of the hidden costs — both financial and functional.
Though budgeting for POS software might seem daunting, it’s helpful to think of it as an investment in the growth of your business. A robust point of sale solution can scale with you and take your grocery store to new heights, providing you with all the features and insights you need to manage inventory effectively, provide excellent customer service, and make informed, data-driven decisions.
If you’re ready to invest in the success of your small grocery business, reach out to us to schedule a live, personalized demo of our POS software designed specifically for grocers like you.
