For modern retailers, a point-of-sale (POS) system that seamlessly connects online and in-store sales isn't just convenient; it's crucial for efficient operations and enhanced customer experiences. Shopify POS is an integrated solution designed to help merchants manage their business and sell products across all channels, from physical stores and pop-up locations to online storefronts.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Shopify POS, covering its functionality, Shopify POS pricing, key features, and integration capabilities to help you understand how it can benefit your retail business.
What is Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system that enables merchants to process in-person sales directly linked to their Shopify online store. A POS system facilitates sales transactions by handling everything from item scanning and payment processing to inventory and customer data management.
Unlike standalone POS systems, Shopify POS provides a unified experience. It automatically syncs sales, inventory, and customer information across all your channels in real time.
This eliminates manual data entry, reduces inventory discrepancies, and ensures consistent data whether a sale occurs online or in your physical store.
The result is a smoother shopping journey for your customers and simplified business management for you.
Shopify POS - Key Features
Shopify POS offers a robust set of features to streamline in-person sales and enhance retail operations:
Flexible Payment Processing: Accept all major credit cards, digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay, Google Pay), and cash payments securely and efficiently.
Real-Time Inventory Synchronization: Automatically updates stock levels across your online store and all physical locations the moment a sale is made, preventing overselling and ensuring accurate inventory counts.
Centralized Customer Profiles: Build detailed customer profiles from both online and offline interactions, including purchase history and preferences, to enable personalized marketing and improved service.
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics: Access combined sales data, customer behavior insights, and inventory performance metrics across all channels for informed decision-making.
Mobile Management via Shopify POS App: Manage sales, track inventory, and access customer information directly from an iPad or Android tablet, providing flexibility for fixed locations or mobile selling.
Extensive Hardware Compatibility: Works seamlessly with a wide range of essential retail hardware, including barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers, and card readers, allowing for customizable setups.
Shopify POS Pricing
Shopify offers two distinct POS options: Shopify POS Lite (included with all Shopify plans) and Shopify POS Pro (a premium add-on). Your total cost will depend on your chosen Shopify plan and POS option.
Shopify POS Lite:
Included with every Shopify plan, starting from $39 USD per month (for the Basic Shopify plan). This option is ideal for businesses primarily selling online with occasional in-person sales, or those with lower physical store transaction volumes. If you're comparing Shopify POS pricing options, POS Lite is a great starting point with no extra fees beyond your base Shopify plan.
Shopify POS Pro:
For retailers with more complex operations or higher in-store volumes, Shopify POS Pro is available as an add-on. This plan unlocks advanced features for $89 USD per month per location, in addition to your base Shopify plan subscription. When considering Shopify POS pricing, it's important to factor in the additional cost for advanced capabilities offered by the Pro version.
Transaction Fees (Shopify Payments)
Transaction fees for in-person sales processed through Shopify Payments are a key part of Shopify POS pricing, and they vary based on your Shopify plan:
Lower-tier plans (e.g., Basic): Typically have slightly higher per-transaction rates. For instance, 2.7% + $0 per transaction.
Higher-tier plans (e.g., Advanced, Plus): Generally benefit from lower per-transaction rates. For example, 2.4% + $0 per transaction.
Important Note: These fees apply when using Shopify Payments. If you use a third-party payment provider, they will have their own fees, and Shopify may charge a separate transaction fee depending on your Shopify plan.
Shopify POS Integration
Shopify POS integration is key to achieving a unified retail experience by seamlessly connecting your online and physical stores. This real-time synchronization of sales, inventory, customer data, and analytics is fundamental for efficient omnichannel operations.
Real-Time Inventory Synchronization: Every sale, whether online or in-store, instantly updates inventory levels across all your sales channels. This minimizes out-of-stock situations and overselling, ensuring accuracy across multiple locations and large product catalogs.
Centralized Customer Data for Personalization: Consolidate all customer information (purchase history, preferences, and contact details) into a single database from both online and offline interactions. This unified view allows for highly targeted marketing campaigns, personalized discounts, and improved customer service that fosters loyalty.
Streamlined Order Management and Fulfillment: Manage all orders, regardless of origin, from a single platform. Easily facilitate in-store pickups, local deliveries, or shipping, enhancing operational efficiency and offering customers flexible purchasing options.
Extensive Third-Party App Integrations: Extend Shopify POS functionality by connecting with a vast ecosystem of apps. Examples include:
Loyalty programs: (e.g., Smile.io, LoyaltyLion) for rewarding repeat customers.
Email and SMS marketing: (e.g., Klaviyo, Omnisend) for targeted customer outreach.
Appointment scheduling: (e.g., Sesami, BookThatApp) for service-based businesses.
Advanced inventory tools: (e.g., Assisty) for detailed stock tracking and forecasting.
Hardware Compatibility and Flexibility: Shopify POS supports a variety of essential retail hardware, including card readers for secure payments, receipt printers, barcode scanners for fast checkout, and cash drawers. This flexibility allows businesses to build a POS setup perfectly suited to their specific workflows, from small boutiques to multi-location enterprises.
Powerful Unified Reporting and Analytics: Gain comprehensive insights from combined data across all sales channels. Robust reports on sales trends, inventory performance, and customer behavior empower data-driven decisions to optimize stock, adjust pricing, and refine marketing strategies.
How to Get Started with Shopify POS
If you already have a Shopify account, setting up Shopify POS is quick and easy:
1. Check Your Current Plan Ensure your Shopify plan includes the POS features you need. POS Lite is included with all Shopify plans, while POS Pro offers advanced tools for an additional monthly fee.
3. Log Into Your Shopify Account Use your existing Shopify credentials to log into the POS app and connect it to your store
4. Set Up Hardware Identify Your Needs: Consider what hardware will streamline your in-person sales. Common hardware includes:
Card Readers: To accept credit and debit card payments. Shopify offers its own card readers, and you can often integrate with third-party options.
Receipt Printers: To provide customers with physical receipts.
Barcode Scanners: To quickly add products to a sale.
Cash Drawers: For handling cash transactions.
Compatibility: Ensure the hardware you choose is compatible with Shopify POS. Refer to Shopify's hardware documentation for a list of supported devices. Connection: Follow the manufacturer's instructions to connect your hardware to your mobile device (usually via Bluetooth or USB). The Shopify POS app will often guide you through the pairing process.
5. Configure POS Settings Enter your business details, set up payment methods, add products, configure taxes, and customize receipt options..
Allows customers to select pickup and delivery dates.
Integrates with POS to manage order fulfillment scheduling
Benefits of Using Shopify POS
Implementing Shopify POS offers distinct advantages for modern retailers:
Unified Sales Management
Shopify POS consolidates all sales data from online and in-store channels into one platform, streamlining operations and providing a holistic view of your business.
Accurate Inventory Control
Real-time synchronization prevents overselling and stockouts, ensuring precise inventory across all locations and reducing manual counting errors.
Enhanced Customer Experiences
Leverage centralized customer profiles to deliver personalized service, targeted promotions, and loyalty programs that foster repeat business.
Flexible Payment Acceptance
Accommodate customer preferences by accepting various payment methods, from traditional cards and cash to modern digital wallets.
Efficient Staff Management
Create and manage staff accounts with specific permissions, ensuring secure access and streamlined team collaboration during busy periods.
Data-Driven Decisions
Access integrated sales, inventory, and customer reports to identify trends, optimize pricing, and develop more effective marketing strategies.
Scalability for Growth
The modular design and extensive integration options allow Shopify POS to grow with your business, easily accommodating additional features, locations, and hardware as your needs evolve.
What is the Shopify POS Terminal?
The Shopify POS Terminal is a dedicated countertop device designed to deliver a sleek, fast, and professional checkout experience in your retail store. Priced at $349, it’s fully integrated with the Shopify POS system, simplifying in-person transactions while maintaining a seamless connection to your online operations.
Key Features:
No more shared screens between staff and customers. Connect POS Terminal to your tablet or smartphone to enable payments with a full-featured customer-facing display.
Accept tap, chip, and swipe payments at the counter, with Shopify Payments base rates from 2.6% + $0.10
POS Terminal Reader and Dock for a dedicated countertop payment terminal
Connect over WiFi or plug in an Ethernet cable to provide wired network connectivity for payments
Plug in an Ethernet cable to provide wired network connectivity for payments
Customize the display with branded images or logos
Activates customer display mode so buyers can:
View their purchase itemized on-screen
Check out confidently with clear flows for payment, PIN entry, tipping, and receipt selection
Shopify POS protects card data per PCI DSS requirements
EMV certified to keep both you and your customers safe
Conclusion
Shopify POS provides a robust, integrated solution for connecting your online and in-store sales. By offering unified inventory management, centralized customer data, flexible payment options, and extensive integration capabilities, Shopify POS streamlines operations for businesses of any size. Whether you utilize the included POS Lite or upgrade to POS Pro, it represents a smart investment in enhancing efficiency, boosting sales, and delivering a superior customer experience across all your retail channels.
Hurrify customers to buy within a given timeframe with a sales countdown timer & improve conversions
Another popular Shopify checkout app is Checkout Promotions. The app comes with the ability to leverage a collection of highly robust visibility rules that help show customers one-click post purchase upsell promotions after an order payment has been made. Some of its key features include:
Features
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Complete branding control.
Checkout Upsell for increasing AOV.
AI recommended and manual recommendations for upselling.
Pricing
Development
Free
Monthly Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
Plus Plan
$99/ month
FAQs on Shopify POS
Can Shopify be used as a POS?
How much does the Shopify POS system cost?
What is a POS in Shopify?
Does Shopify POS take a percentage of sales?
×
Neetika M
Neetika is the founder of Skai Lama. Passionate about building SaaS, Product Development, and Marketing, she talks about eCommerce Growth, Product Bundling, Gifting, Retention, and Shopify.
.jpg)
.avif)
.svg)
.svg)
