Overview of ShopKeep
ShopKeep is a comprehensive and cloud-based POS system for iPads. It offers solutions to ring up sales, print receipts, track inventory, and manage customers. We compiled available pricing options and reviewed available features. Overall, ShopKeep provides the payment processing and management features needed to run a successful small business.
What We Like
When we reviewed ShopKeep we liked the fact that it’s an iPad POS system. You can use your own iPad to cut down on hardware costs. Everything we reviewed was easy to use—from the dashboard to the analytics reporting to the inventory management. We liked that even though ShopKeep has its own payment processor called ShopKeep Payments, it allows you to integrate your preferred processor. The in-depth reporting and analytics impressed us as well.
What We Don’t Like
During our review we didn’t like that certain features like loyalty and ecommerce are not included with the Basic plan. The customer loyalty program isn’t included until you pay for the most expensive option at $199 per month. Additionally, we didn’t like the fact that the customer loyalty program didn’t automatically upload customer purchase information based upon their credit or debit card number.
If you’re accustomed to an Android tablet, we didn’t like that you have to use the ShopKeep recommended hardware and not your own Android tablet. Another aspect of ShopKeep we didn’t like was that there wasn’t a free trial period to test the POS software.
Which POS Provider Is Right For You?
ShopKeep Pricing and Plans
ShopKeep has three available plans; Basic, Essential and Advanced.
Features | Basic | Essential | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | $69/month, per register | $99/month, per register | $199/month, unlimited registers |
Basic Reporting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Unlimited Reporting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Unlimited Employees | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Unlimited Transactions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
24/7 Customer Support | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Advanced Reporting | ✔ | ✔ | |
Mobile Reporting App | ✔ | ✔ | |
QuickBooks Accounting | ✔ | ✔ | |
Online Ordering | ✔ | ✔ | |
Invoices | ✔ | ✔ | |
Email Marketing | ✔ | ✔ | |
Ecommerce Webstore | ✔ | ✔ | |
Gift Cards | ✔ | ✔ | |
2 Free Training Sessions | ✔ | ✔ | |
Customer Loyalty | ✔ | ||
Priority phone Support | ✔ | ||
Online Business Listings | ✔ | ||
Free POS Hardware Bundle ($499 value) | ✔ |
Basic
With ShopKeep’s Basic plan ($69.99 per month per register) you receive the needed POS software tools to operate a small business. You have the ability to add unlimited users, make unlimited transactions, add unlimited inventory, and access to basic reporting features.
Essential
The Essential plan ($99 per month per register) offers all the features of basic, plus additional features like online ordering, integration with QuickBooks, and an ecommerce webstore. The website is a nice benefit if you’re interested in selling online, but don’t want to spend the extra cost of creating a website. Additionally, with the Essential plan you receive two free training sessions, which is helpful to get up and running quickly.
Advanced
In the Basic and Essential plans, you have to pay more per month for each additional register. With the Advanced plan ($199 per month), you can add unlimited registers, which is useful if you have multiple locations. Additionally, with the Advanced plan you receive the customer loyalty program, which is an important feature for businesses that have repeat customers. When you sign up for the Advanced plan with the ShopKeep Payments processing solution, you receive a free Clover Mini hardware POS, valued at $500.
ShopKeep Payment Processing
ShopKeep offers a unique payment processing deal. It guarantees the lowest payment processing rate. When I reached out to its customer support, the representative wouldn’t quote the lowest rate they offer. To lock in the low rate you need to bring them another payment processing quote from a competitor. They will beat it with a slightly lower rate. If you’re already using a payment processor, you don’t have to use ShopKeep Payments, they will integrate your preferred processor.
ShopKeep POS Hardware
There are several POS Hardware kits from ShopKeep. At a minimum it will cost you $99 to accept payments on your iPad with ShopKeep’s Lighting Credit Card Reader. For additional fraud protection, you need to spend $329 for the EMV Chip Card Reader. ShopKeep also sells starter kits for different types of businesses, which include hardware like a cash register, receipt printer, and iPad enclosure.
The Chip Card Reader accepts payments. You also need an iPad to utilize ShopKeep’s POS software
ShopKeep POS Features
Overall, ShopKeep provides similar features as other popular POS systems. Your decision on ShopKeep versus another POS system will hinge on the type of features you need and at what price points. ShopKeep created a proprietary backend software called BackOffice, which is the dashboard for many of the features below. We find BackOffice easy to use.
ShopKeep Inventory Management
ShopKeep’s inventory management is excellent for the business with a large inventory. It allows for bulk upload and automatic item tracking so you know when to re-order products. We really enjoyed the weighted average cost feature that allows you to stay on top of your inventory’s value and better understand vital metrics, like margins.
In the Backend of ShopKeep you can search inventory by item name
ShopKeep Employee Management
Employees can clock in and out of their shift on the default screen of the ShopKeep POS software. Your employees’ hours are tracked in the backend of ShopKeep’s software, called BackOffice. You can also assign employees different privileges within ShopKeep, like control over register functions, discounts, and returns.
ShopKeep Customer Relationship Management
We enjoyed ShopKeep’s robust customer relationship management (CRM) system. You’re able to time saving features like syncing Mailchimp to ShopKeep’s CRM so you can seamlessly add customer emails to an already created list in Mailchimp. You’re also able to manage your customer loyalty program within the CRM and make customer discount recommendations based upon the products and services they previously bought.
Enter employee information in BackOffice and assign POS software permission from their profile
ShopKeep Reporting Data & Analytics
When reviewing ShopKeep, we were impressed by the depth of its reporting analytics. Your store data is updated in real time, so you can act on information the day of instead of a day late. You can drill down into the analytics by supplier, department, and location to determine which products are performing the best. The reporting options allow you to see information about top performing employees and highest spending customers.
From ShopKeep’s analytics dashboard, view top selling products, if there are new customers, and register financials
ShopKeep Payment Processing
Something we appreciated with ShopKeep payment processing is that you don’t have to sign a long-term contract. In addition to accepting credit, debit, and cash, with ShopKeep Payments you can accept newer mobile payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Additionally, if the internet were ever to go out in your business, you can accept offline payments.
ShopKeep Hardware
ShopKeep provides well designed and durable POS hardware. There are several hardware options provided by ShopKeep, from a low cost card reader to a full retail station. You can choose from ShopKeep’s already built POS hardware kits for restaurants, bars, quick service, and retail or you can assemble your own custom kit. Additionally, we liked the option of using ShopKeep to order pre-designed and custom gift cards.
ShopKeep’s retail based hardware kit for iPad costs $1,519
ShopKeep Pocket Mobile App
The ShopKeep Pocket Mobile app is essentially a tool to view your business’s reporting and analytics from your phone. The app syncs to each of your business locations and organizes data in a way that is easy to understand and interpret. If you are away from your business location, you can monitor when your employees are clocking in and out of work. You can also monitor which employees are making the most sales for the day.
We liked the detailed information in ShopKeep’s mobile app, which is great for a business owner that travels
ShopKeep Customer Support
We enjoyed using ShopKeep’s FAQ for answering questions. They also provide in depth troubleshooting guides with step-by-step instructions on topics like setting up credit card processing. We enjoyed its dozens of video support tutorials as well. If you need to talk with a ShopKeep customer support representative, you can contact them through the BackOffice software 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
ShopKeep Alternatives
Top POS Software Options
Best Small Business POS Systems 2019 – Read our buyer’s guide for a comparison of the top eight POS softwares for small businesses. We compare ShopKeep with other POS systems like Lightspeed Retail, Square, Toast, and Vend.
Our Recommendation
Based on our experience reviewing ShopKeep we recommend the POS software to both small startup businesses and larger businesses with multiple stores. ShopKeep offers everything you need to accept payments and run a successful business including feature rich POS software options and hardware kits. ShopKeep POS software starts at $59 per month and gives you the ability to add unlimited inventory and unlimited users. Its minimum hardware needed to accept payments with starts at $99. Visit ShopKeep to learn more today.
Disclaimer: The following information was provided by ShopKeep and does not necessarily reflect the views of FitSmallBusiness.com.
What is ShopKeep?
ShopKeep is the point of sale system built by merchants for merchants. Originally founded by a small business owner just like you, we understand that simple, powerful solutions beat complicated, over-engineered options every time.
Our competitors focus on adding as many features to their software as possible. That sounds great on a sales call, but when you’re trying to run your business, it just makes everything more complicated. You end up paying for features you might not understand or ever use, wasting valuable time and money along the way.
Having lived the life of a merchant, we take a very different approach. We always focus on your day-to-day experience first, whether you’re a retail shop, a quick-service restaurant or a full-service restaurant and bar. We prioritize the features and tools we know real business owners use day-in and day-out while keeping our POS system as easy to use and intuitive as possible. This focus allows us to blend the advanced functionality that you need while staying streamlined and affordable.
ShopKeep News & Activity
You can stay up to date with the latest ShopKeep news and activity by reading our blog. Additionally, here are a few of our latest announcements and press mentions:
Shopkeep Receives Bronze 2019 Stevie Award For Customer Service Success In Technology Industries
Shopkeep Announces $65 Million Financing To Fund Company’s Expansion And Accelerate Growth
Small Business Owners Share Insights In The New ‘shopkeep Small Business Pulse: 2018’ Report
ShopKeep Customer Service
As the only POS system founded by a merchant, we understand the value of reliable, expert, and always-available customer service. A day in the life of a small business owner is anything but typical, and issues rarely wait until it’s convenient for you. That’s why our customer service team is available 24/7/365 days per year via phone, email, and live chat. Plus, we offer a comprehensive knowledge base of both video and written tutorials that cover all aspects of ShopKeep, whether you’re a beginner or expert.
ShopKeep Unique Features
ShopKeep’s careful balance of advanced features and overall ease of use make it one of the only POS systems suitable for both new and experienced entrepreneurs. Outside of the standard features you’ve come to expect from a modern POS system like streamlined transactions, support for multiple payment methods, basic inventory management, and modern tablet hardware, ShopKeep offers several unique features:
Powerful Reporting – ShopKeep offers some of the most comprehensive and easy to understand reporting on the market. Whether you want to track profit margins at the per item level or understand sales trends at macro and micro levels, we can do it.
ShopKeep Loyalty – ShopKeep helps you maximize the value of your existing customers and generate business with a highly flexible loyalty program that keeps customers coming back.
Local SEO and Reviews Management – Not only does ShopKeep help you earn more from your regulars, but we also help you reach new customers with our ShopKeep Spotlight tool. This allows you to quickly create, update, and manage business listings across major sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. This ensures that your business appears online when potential customers are searching for the products and services you offer. You can also manage reviews on services like Yelp. No other POS system on the market includes this functionality and it’s a major way that ShopKeep can help you not only run your business but grow it.
ShopKeep Pocket – It’s important to stay on top of your business when you’re on the go, whether that means an important meeting or your kid’s soccer practice. ShopKeep Pocket is a mobile reporting app for both iOS and Android, which gives you access to critical sales and business data right on your phone. Easily switch between business locations to get the big picture, and leverage real-time notifications to know when shifts open or close, and which employee is responsible.
Modern Hardware – Unlike traditional POS systems that use clunky and expensive proprietary hardware, ShopKeep runs on iPads and Android tablets. Not only is this hardware more reliable, but it’s also more affordable. Additionally, ShopKeep has a full ecosystem of credit card readers, kitchen printers, barcode scanners, and more, which can serve the needs of retail businesses, quick-service restaurants, and full-service restaurants and bars. Mix and match your hardware to create the perfect custom setup.
ShopKeep Capital – Running a successful small business is no easy feat. Factor in financial constraints and it can seem almost impossible. ShopKeep Capital is a safe, easy way for ShopKeep customers to access funding to grow or maintain their businesses. Available for any business need, ShopKeep Capital is a great way to finance new equipment, fund a marketing push, hire more employees, or buy inventory. Getting started is as easy as logging into BackOffice.
ShopKeep Payments – ShopKeep Payments allows you to accept your customers’ favorite payment methods, like credit, debit, cash, EMV, Apple Pay, and more, at the lowest integrated processing rate, guaranteed. With the same 24/7/365 customer support as our POS software and no long-term contracts, ShopKeep Payments is the perfect partner for our POS system.
