Thermal receipt printers integrate with retail and restaurant point-of-sale (POS) systems to print customer receipts for completed sales. A receipt printer can connect in various ways including USB, Ethernet (LAN), Wi-Fi wireless (WLAN) and even Bluetooth. We look at a range of options for small business in terms of price, functionality and popular POS compatibility….
5 Best Credit Card Readers for 2018
Credit card readers let businesses accept credit card payments in various sales settings. Most work with mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and connect to business software or point-of-sale apps to complete payments and track sales. We review the best credit card reader options in terms of features, options, and costs for small businesses. Best…
5 Best Cash Registers for Small Business 2018
A cash register combines a secure cash box, advanced adding machine, and receipt printer into one operating unit. Many connect to credit card terminals and barcode scanners and some incorporate inventory and point-of-sale (POS) software for added functionality. We look at top cash registers for small business that deliver a range of features for a…
5 Best Free Appointment Scheduling Software for 2018
Free appointment scheduling software lets service businesses schedule and track appointments, accept online bookings from clients, send appointment reminders, block off internal meeting times, and accept credit card deposits or prepayments for scheduled services. We reviewed the most popular free appointment scheduling software options that cover a full range of features for small businesses. Best…
How to Create & Print Barcode Labels in 3 Steps
Barcode labels help businesses track stock and access key product data easily. In a single barcode scan, you can see product details, stock on hand, pricing and even complete a sale. There are several ways to create a barcode and print labels, and we’ll show you how to get the job done in three simple…
What is a POS System: Definition, Features, Providers & Costs
For the question of what is POS, it’s a point-of-sale (POS) system software that ties the sales, inventory and management functions of any retail-type business within a single, streamlined system. Many POS systems can operate on just a single mobile device like a smartphone or tablet and can also drive one or more countertop registers,…
Restaurant Management — How to Manage a Restaurant in 6 Steps
Effective restaurant management is balancing many different groups and processes in a seamless operation. Food costs, inventory tracking, staff scheduling, food production, customer service and marketing are part of restaurant management. Here’s a look at how to manage a restaurant in six steps, along with tips and advice from experienced restaurateurs. Since restaurant management depends…
3 Best Appointment Scheduling Software Systems for 2018
Appointment scheduling software lets clients schedule and pay for appointments and related services online. We researched the top-rated appointment scheduling software options and decided to review Square Appointments, Acuity Scheduling, and Bookeo Appointments. These three services deliver a full range of features at small business-friendly costs. Read on for our review and top recommendations. Best…
5 Best Barcode Label Printers for 2018
A barcode label printer is what you use to print various types of barcode labels for product labeling, equipment tagging, parts tracking, shipping labels, and more. In this guide, we compare the printing features, label output options, and costs of five top-rated barcode label printers suitable for a range of small business barcode label printing…
27 Creative Retail Promotion Ideas to Attract More Customers
According to the Big Commerce report, 51 percent of Americans now prefer to shop online, putting brick-and-mortar retailers in a challenging position. Retail business owners need to step up their promotional game in order to compete with their digital brethren. Thankfully, there are many ways to spread the word about retailer’s storefronts. Check out these 27…
Death of Retail: Fact vs. Fiction
The supposed death of retail hit full swing in 2017. Brick-and-mortar brands considered too big to fail, such as Payless, Rue21, RadioShack, and Toys “R” Us, were among 300-plus retailers that filed for bankruptcy. As 2018 progresses, we find teetering brands still collapsing while others shore up foundations by combining downsizing with omnichannel moves. Experts are…
NFC Payments: What They Are, How They Work & How to Accept Them
NFC payments are contactless payments that use near-field communication (NFC) technology to exchange data between readers and payment devices like Apple Pay and Android Pay eWallets or EMV chip cards. NFC devices must be close together to complete an NFC payment, typically less than 2 inches apart, and payments are encrypted and highly secure. NFC…
