Starting or running a small business in Calgary means making smart technology choices. Your POS system can be a game-changer for efficiency and growth.
## What Small Businesses Need in a POS
### Essential Features
- **Easy to use:** Quick employee training
- **Affordable pricing:** Fit within tight budgets
- **Reliable support:** Help when you need it
- **Growth-ready:** Scale as you expand
### Nice-to-Have Features
- Customer loyalty programs
- Inventory management
- Employee scheduling
- E-commerce integration
## Top POS Systems for Small Businesses
### 1. Square POS
**Best For:** First-time business owners
**Pros:**
- Free software to start
- Simple setup in minutes
- Transparent pricing
- Great for market vendors
**Cons:**
- Limited advanced features
- Higher processing fees
**Pricing:** Free software + 2.65% per transaction
### 2. Shopify POS
**Best For:** Businesses selling online and in-store
**Pros:**
- Unified online/offline inventory
- Professional e-commerce store
- Excellent app ecosystem
- Multi-location support
**Cons:**
- Monthly fees add up
- Learning curve for beginners
**Pricing:** From $89/month + transaction fees
### 3. Clover
**Best For:** Versatile small businesses
**Pros:**
- Wide range of hardware options
- Custom app marketplace
- Flexible payment processing
- Strong reporting
**Cons:**
- Can get expensive with add-ons
- Tied to specific processors
**Pricing:** From $14.95/month + hardware
### 4. Lightspeed
**Best For:** Growing retail and restaurant businesses
**Pros:**
- Powerful inventory management
- Advanced reporting
- Multi-location support
- Industry-specific solutions
**Cons:**
- Higher price point
- Complex for simple needs
**Pricing:** From $69/month
### 5. Toast POS
**Best For:** Small restaurants and cafés
**Pros:**
- Built specifically for restaurants
- Online ordering included
- Kitchen display systems
- Menu management
**Cons:**
- Restaurant-only features
- Contract requirements
**Pricing:** Custom quotes based on needs
## Cost Breakdown for Small Businesses
### Initial Investment
- **Hardware:** $300 - $1,500
- Tablet stand: $100
- Card reader: $50
- Receipt printer: $150
- Cash drawer: $100
- Barcode scanner: $100
- **Software setup:** $0 - $300
- **Training:** Usually free or included
### Ongoing Costs
- **Monthly software:** $0 - $200
- **Transaction fees:** 2.0% - 3.0% per sale
- **Support:** Often included
- **Hardware maintenance:** $0 - $50/month
## Feature Comparison
### Payment Processing
All modern systems accept:
- Credit and debit cards
- Contactless and mobile payments
- EMV chip cards
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
### Inventory Management
- **Basic:** Track quantities, low stock alerts
- **Advanced:** Automatic reordering, multi-location tracking
- **Enterprise:** Predictive analytics, seasonal planning
### Reporting
- Daily sales summaries
- Best-selling products
- Employee performance
- Customer insights
- Tax reports
## Industry-Specific Recommendations
### Retail Stores
**Priority Features:**
- Barcode scanning
- Inventory tracking
- Customer profiles
- Loyalty programs
**Best Choice:** Shopify POS or Lightspeed
### Restaurants & Cafés
**Priority Features:**
- Table management
- Kitchen printing
- Split bills
- Modifier options
**Best Choice:** Toast or Lightspeed Restaurant
### Service Businesses
**Priority Features:**
- Appointment booking
- Customer management
- Service packages
- Prepayments
**Best Choice:** Square or Clover
### Mobile Businesses
**Priority Features:**
- Portable hardware
- Offline mode
- Quick setup
- Low monthly costs
**Best Choice:** Square or Clover Go
## Making the Right Choice
### Questions to Ask
1. **What's your budget?**
- Initial: Hardware + setup
- Monthly: Software + processing
2. **What's your business type?**
- Retail, restaurant, service, or mixed?
3. **How many locations?**
- Single or planning to expand?
4. **Do you sell online?**
- Need e-commerce integration?
5. **How many employees?**
- User accounts and permissions needed?
6. **What payment types?**
- Cash only, cards, or all options?
## Common Mistakes to Avoid
### 1. Choosing Based on Price Alone
The cheapest option may cost more long-term through:
- Higher processing fees
- Missing features requiring workarounds
- Poor support leading to downtime
### 2. Overpaying for Unused Features
Don't pay for:
- Restaurant features for retail stores
- Multi-location when you have one shop
- Advanced analytics you won't use
### 3. Ignoring Customer Support
Ensure you have:
- Phone support during business hours
- Live chat option
- Knowledge base and tutorials
- Local support if possible
### 4. Forgetting About Growth
Choose a system that can:
- Add more terminals
- Support additional locations
- Integrate with new tools
- Handle increased transaction volume
## Implementation Tips
### Before Purchase
- **Demo multiple systems:** Try before you buy
- **Read reviews:** Focus on businesses similar to yours
- **Check compatibility:** With existing tools and hardware
- **Understand contracts:** Monthly vs. long-term commitments
### During Setup
- **Plan your layout:** Where will terminals go?
- **Import data:** Move existing inventory and customers
- **Train thoroughly:** All staff need to be comfortable
- **Test everything:** Process test transactions
### After Launch
- **Monitor closely:** First week is critical
- **Gather feedback:** From employees and customers
- **Adjust settings:** Optimize for your workflow
- **Track metrics:** Compare to old system
## Getting Started in Calgary
### Local Considerations
- **Reliable internet:** Essential for cloud-based systems
- **Power backup:** Protect against Calgary storms
- **Local support:** Faster help when needed
- **Tax compliance:** Ensure proper GST/PST handling
### Next Steps
1. **List your must-have features**
2. **Set your budget** (initial and monthly)
3. **Request 2-3 demos**
4. **Check references** from similar businesses
5. **Start with a trial** if available
## Conclusion
The right POS system can transform your small business operations, saving time, reducing errors, and providing insights for growth. Take your time to evaluate options, and choose a system that fits your current needs while allowing for future expansion.
Calgary's small business community is thriving, and having the right technology is key to competing effectively. Whether you're just starting out or ready to upgrade, there's a perfect POS solution for your business.
**Need personalized advice?** Contact Soar POS for a free consultation on the best POS system for your Calgary small business at (365) 645-9039.