Business
The Best POS Systems for Small Businesses
There are many hurdles to running a small business. More often than not, you are working with meager resources and even more limited staffing. Because of this, you need an efficient set of tools to help you manage everyday operations.
And one of the most critical suites to any retail business is a point of sale (POS) system. This tool allows business owners to cater to various payment options, whether online or in-person. Another great thing about POS systems is that they come with practical business features, depending on your industry.
Here are the ten best POS system for small businesses today:
1. Clover
If you need a POS system for your small business right now, Clover can get it done for you. It has essential credit card processing tools and more. Users can link Clover with third-party apps for other functions like managing payroll. Clover Go, which works on Android and iOS tablets, is the best option for small business owners.
The suite’s virtual terminal allows owners to accept payments via a smart device. But the most appealing feature of Clover is its ease of use. Their terminals come pre-configured, so onboarding is mostly a smooth process.
2. Square
Square has good overall features, making it a top option for general retailers. Users can get barcode printing tools, sales reports, and stock management. Apart from that, though, it also has specific features and tools designed for individual contractors and restaurants.
Another plus is that Square accounts come with a built-in e-commerce store. Finally, POS users can expect speedy payments and buy now, pay later charges via Afterpay.
3. Chase
On the other hand, Chase has various hardware and virtual solutions that accept payments from multiple platforms. Users can expect to get physical tablets and standalone terminals for brick-and-mortar shops. And users can even make contactless payments and wireless credit card payment processing with the Chase Smart Terminal.
Aside from that, Chase also has e-commerce integrations for online stores. Because of these features, Chase is ideal for e-commerce shops and general retailers.
4. Shopify
Shopify is the best mobile POS system for small businesses because it makes it easier for owners to start and complete payments in the same place. It’s also the best POS system for retailers that are on multiple channels. It has easy to use interface that online businesses can easily use.
Plus, it has advanced tools that help with inventory and customer relations. Finally, Shopify lets users integrate with Apple and Facebook for better customer support.
5. Toast
Toast offers POS systems for small businesses free of charge. Apart from this, they also have a good starter POS promo that’s ideal for businesses just starting out. Otherwise, they have pay-as-you-go and standard plans that lock users in for two years.
The system is great for restaurants because of its many valuable features. These include QR code payments, delivery tools, a table check splitting tool, and more. Toast also has a staff and inventory management tool.
6. Lightspeed
On the other hand, companies that need superb inventory tools can try Lightspeed. It has a matrix system to manage your stock and create smooth data visualization. Here, you can draw up matrixes of product variants to see which items need restocking.
Lightspeed works even when it’s offline. This POS system for small businesses is best if you are in the food and beverage industry, as well as physical retailers and restaurants.
7. Revel Systems
The best POS system for retail shops and restaurant is Revel Systems. Whether a general store or a busy retailer, you can count on Revel Systems’ hardware tools to finish payments.
Revel has iPad-based terminals that track stocks, orders, and deliveries for groceries and restaurants. In fact, its restaurant features include tracking tips, building menus, and managing tables. Meanwhile, its grocery tools include discount, loyalty, and gift card tools.
8. ITRetail
On the other hand, ITRetail is a POS system for small business that’s best for groceries and small markets. For one, it has strong and flexible checkout options. Customers can pay via debit, credit card, gift cards, or e-wallet. It also has a host of options should people need to self-checkout.
Apart from that, you can manage your stock via their mobile app. Users can customize CRM tools to monitor and track loyalty and rewards programs.
9. KORONA
KORONA is a POS suite that is best for high-risk enterprises. This refers to liquor, vape, and even cannabis stores. However, KORONA can also support brick-and-mortar shops and ticketed venues. Most online reviews deem KORONA one of the most flexible POS because it links with major payment processors.
Aside from that, it’s also a top choice because of its stock tracking tools. It even has a ticketing function, making it a great event option.
Tips for picking a POS system
When you think about the qualities of a great POS system, it can seem like an unnecessary expense. However, a POS system can be a game-changer for a small business. Here are a few tips on picking a system to make sure that it will be a worthy investment.
Hardware and Software Compatibility
The first thing to look for when picking a POS system is whether it will be compatible with your hardware and software. Check if your POS system supports your computer operating system (like Windows or Mac). You also want to check if it works with your network and your printer or scanners. You don’t want to invest in a product that can’t work with your current systems. Keep in mind that POS systems come in various levels of functionality, so you can find one compatible with your existing technology.
Ease of Use
Another important thing to consider when picking a POS system for your small business is its easy use. The less time you spend on training your staff, the better. You want to find a POS system with an intuitive interface, making it easy for everyone from your office manager to your cashier.
Security
Another important thing to consider when picking a POS system is its security features. You want a system that is protected against fraud and theft.
Budget
Lastly, don’t forget about the budget when picking a POS system. You don’t have to overspend to get a great product. A good rule of thumb is to look for a system in the middle of the price range for your industry.
If you’ve been following the latest marketing trends, you would know that video marketing is popular. Factors like lower costs, the availability of video platforms, and the rise of social media influencers helped change how consumers interact with video content. Read on to learn the best video marketing agency to help you leverage the power of video.
1. Vireo Video
If you need an expert in Youtube marketing, be sure to check the features of Vireo Video. The platform specializes in Youtube marketing and offers various video-related services, such as Youtube content strategy, SEO, and advertising. Vireo Video is trusted by brands like Eckhart Tolle and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. For Eckhart Tolle, Vireo assisted in the optimization of his videos and helped grow his Youtube channel. As a result, his channel has more than 45 million new views or an increase of more than 260% compared with the previous period.
Key Services:
- Influencer marketing
- Video optimization
- Targeted YouTube advertising placements
- Strategy development
2. NinjaPromo
Video marketing is one of the many services offered by the digital marketing agency NinjaPromo. If you’re looking for a perfect partner to assist you in reaching your desired audience quickly, NinjaPromo is one of the best agencies to work with. The company can help you create creative, engaging, and practical videos to promote your brand and increase your online presence.
Key Services:
- Video Production
- Consultation
- SEO optimization
- Explainer videos
- Event and product videos
- Tutorials
3. Moburst
Moburst is a mobile and digital marketing agency that specializes in helping businesses grow their mobile apps. They offer different services to enable enterprises to improve their mobile app performance and increase user engagement. Moburst has created over 1,500 videos that generated 900+ million views.
Key Services:
- App Store Optimization
- Video production
- Mobile User Acquisition
- Mobile App Analytics
- Mobile App Design and Development
- Mobile App Retargeting
4. Voy Media
Trusted by big brands like Lacoste, Voy Media is a full-service agency offering various marketing and creative services. Their services are designed to help businesses grow their brand. Likewise, the agency helps them generate leads and increase conversions through social media platforms. Voy Media also ensures its clients receive the necessary support by assigning a dedicated account manager.
Key Services:
- Video editing and production
- Product and lifestyle photography
- Graphic design and illustration
- Full studio production with talent and script
5. Pop Video
Pop Video was established in 2010 in Houston, Texas. They describe themselves as a business-first solution for a video-first world. Pop Video has a team of visual content creators with a specialization in video production and visual content marketing.
The agency has worked with various clients across different industries, including healthcare, technology, retail, and finance. Some of its notable clients include Microsoft, Adidas, and Coca-Cola.
In addition to its core video production services, Pop Video provides consulting and training services to help businesses develop their video marketing strategies and produce their video content in-house.
Key Services:
- Video Marketing
- Video production
- Animation
- Content creation
- Social media optimization
6. Epipheo
If you need help with educational videos, explore the services of Epipheo. Epipheo is a video marketing agency that creates animated explainer videos and other visual contents to assist companies, organizations, and individuals in connecting with their audience effectively.
Key Services:
- Social video ads
- Storytelling testimonial videos
- Animated explainer videos
- Live action videos
- Strategy and consulting
7. Early Light Media
Early Light Video is a full-service video production company that creates high-quality video content for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. The agency is known for delivering top-notch video content that meets its clients’ needs. It was founded in 2013 by a team of Emmy Award-winning creative directors, With offices in Baltimore and Washington, DC.
Key Services:
- Video production
- Post-production
- Animation
- Voice-over casting
- Music Licensing
8. Indigo Productions
Indigo Productions is a full-service video production company based in New York City. They specialize in creating high-quality videos for corporate clients, advertising agencies, and individuals. Their team of scriptwriters, directors, producers, hair and make-up artists, and location scouts will handle all the logistics.
Key Services:
- Promo videos
- Web commercials
- Music videos
- Movie trailers
- Documentaries
9. LAI Video
LAI Video is a Washington, DC-based boutique video production company specializing in creating visual stories that inspire and engage audiences. The company was established in 2013 and has become a leading video production agency in the DC metro area.
LAI Video has worked with various clients, including National Geographic, The World Bank, Georgetown University, and The Smithsonian Institution. Their skilled team of filmmakers, animators, editors and producers work closely with clients to ensure that each video project meets their specific goals and objectives.
Key Services:
- Corporate videos and commercials
- Video communication campaigns
- Branding
- Video animation
- Marketing storytelling
10. SparkHouse
SparkHouse is a video production company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, specializing in creating high-quality video content for businesses and organizations. The company was founded in 2013 by filmmakers and storytellers passionate about creating visually stunning and emotionally compelling videos.
SparkHouse has worked with various clients, including Target, 3M, Best Buy, and General Mills. Their talented filmmakers, animators, writers, and producers work closely with clients to ensure each video project is customized to their unique needs and objectives.
Key Services:
- Brand Videos
- Corporate Videos
- Animation
- Event Videos
- Social Media Videos
- Documentary Films
Which Types of Videos Do You Get from a Video Marketing Agency?
A video marketing agency typically provides various video types, each with a specific purpose and target audience. Below are the common types of videos you can request from a video marketing agency.
- Brand videos
- Explainer videos
- Corporate videos
- Testimonial videos
- Social media videos
- Live stream videos
- Case studies
- Reviews
- Tutorials
Conclusion
Video marketing is essential for businesses looking to engage their audience, build brand awareness, and drive conversions. As we look ahead to 2023, the competition will only continue to grow, making working with a reliable video marketing agency more critical than ever.
A video is an effective form of content, and its increasing popularity has gone together with the rise of social media. However, many marketing professionals still need a video for their digital marketing strategy. In other instances, some have already integrated video into their campaigns but need to see the best results. We’ve compiled some video marketing campaign examples that could inspire you to get the best possible ROI.
1. Google Android: Friends Furever
Android’s “Friends Furever” video is a simple and cute marketing campaign. The video was shared over 6.4 million times, according to video ad tech company Unruly. Google produced a quirky video showcasing animals forming unexpected friendships. Each clip in the montage features great pairs of animals: dogs and elephants, chimps and horses, and tigers and bears.
The campaign proves that even the most uncomplicated videos can be super shareable with the proper subject matter.
Watch the video here.
2. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream
We encourage you to watch from the 20-second mark to see how it goes. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream is a small ice cream shop from Columbus, Ohio, and its YouTube channel proves you don’t need hi-tech equipment to make lovable videos. This is a remarkable small business video marketing campaign.
Watch the video here.
3. Reebok: 25,915 Days
The video features one woman’s relationship with running in reverse, from running the Reebok-sponsored Spartan Race as a middle-aged woman to birth. It’s a great way for Reebok to promote its brand mission of changing how people perceive and experience fitness at every age.
And at the end of the video, a compelling CTA reads, “Calculate your days.” After all, adding a well-curated Call to Action is one of the secrets of a successful video marketing campaign.
Watch the video here.
4. Alibaba: To the Greatness of Small
Sometimes, the most powerful messages resonate with the smallest audiences. This global marketing video is from the China-based ecommerce platform Alibaba. Alibaba’s global customers are almost as big as Amazon’s. The campaign was a powerful tribute to the role of SMBs in the global economy. Similar to a young athlete with Olympic dreams, all great brands start with an ambitious founder.
Watch the video here.
5. Coca-Cola: The Last Customer
Coca-Cola is known for heartwarming holiday videos, and this is one of the best! The Last Customer is a video campaign launched by Coca-Cola in 2020. The campaign was designed to promote small businesses’ importance and their role in their communities.
The campaign consisted of a short film about a small convenience store owner preparing to close his shop for the last time. The owner reflects on his memories of running the store and the relationships he has built with his customers over the years. As he closes shop for the last time, he is surprised by his loyal customers who have gathered to say goodbye and express their appreciation for all he has done for their community.
Watch the video here.
6. GoPro: Fireman Saves Kitten
“Fireman Saves Kitten” is a video campaign launched by GoPro in 2013. The campaign was designed to showcase the power and versatility of GoPro cameras in capturing dramatic and inspiring moments.
GoPro shows a powerful example of how brands can use their products to tell compelling stories and promote meaningful social causes. It was a testament to the power of video content to engage and inspire audiences. Moreover, it helped to cement GoPro’s reputation as a leader in the action camera industry.
Watch the video here.
7. Nike Women: Better For It
Suppose your campaign is a powerful message of encouragement and empowerment for women. In that case, The “Better For It” campaign encourages women to embrace their imperfections and to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. The campaign’s tagline, “If you’re not failing, you’re not trying,” aims to motivate women to take risks and persevere through challenges.
The campaign also includes a digital community where women can connect and share their stories of progress and inspiration. The community features a range of resources, including workout routines, training tips, and motivational messages.
Overall, the Nike Women “Better For It” campaign is a powerful message of encouragement and empowerment for women of all ages and backgrounds. It seeks to inspire women to push themselves to be their best physically and mentally and celebrate their achievements along the way.
Watch the video here.
8. BuzzFeed for Purina: Puppyhood
BuzzFeed did a great job writing a script that takes all the classic puppy stories you’ve heard and turns them into a delightful tale of a man and his dog spending time together.
Although it’s evident to today’s trained consumer that Purina’s Puppy Chow brand is behind the video, the product placement is so subtle that it’s not bothersome. Video marketers, take note.
Watch the video here.
9. Intel: ‘Meet the Makers’ Series
Intel’s five-part “Meet the Makers” series aims to highlight the stories and innovations of people who are using Intel technology to create new and exciting products. It features videos showcasing different makers and their projects, from artists to scientists to entrepreneurs. So, if you’re looking for an effective and engaging way to advertise your product or service through video, the video ad is a good inspiration.
Watch the video here.
10. Google Earth: Homeward Bound
The Google Earth: Homeward Bound campaign is a marketing campaign that aims to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the planet. It is also meant to promote the work of Homeward Bound, a global leadership initiative for women in science.
By inserting their product into a story of loss, love, and restoration, Google Earth successfully positioned its capabilities as life-changing — but it doesn’t feel too showy. The video makes you think that Google Earth isn’t out to make money, but rather, they’re out to build a service to improve the lives of their users.
Watch the video here.
Conclusion
Based on the examples above, the best video marketing content is engaging, informative, and resonates with its target audience. It should tell a story, evoke emotions, and offer a unique perspective or solution to a problem. Businesses and brands can build brand awareness and loyalty by creating high-quality video marketing content that connects with their audience. It ultimately drives sales and revenue.
Now it’s your turn. Video can do wonders to increase content engagement and clickthrough rates. Use these marketing videos as inspiration, and create fantastic visual content. These video editing tools can make your video content creation easier.
Video marketing is one of the latest trends in business strategy. As it progresses rapidly, 83% of businesses believe that adding videos to their advertising and marketing strategy gives them good ROI. Do you still have doubts? Why use video marketing for promoting your business? The answer is simple. Adding video to your promotion checklist is worth it. Not only because everyone is doing it but because the video is an excellent digital marketing tool. Here are eight reasons to convince you to start working on your video marketing efforts.
1. Video Increases Conversions and Sales
Videos are crucial to the online customer journey and can make you serious money. Consider adding a product video on your landing page and increase conversions by 80%. The percentage shows that people who watch your videos are more likely to purchase your product or service. Wyzowl’s November 2022 survey shows that 89% of people say watching a video has convinced them to buy.
2. Video Builds Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of conversions and revenues. However, building trust should be the ultimate goal. The idea of content marketing relies on trust and creating long-term relationships. That’s why video content is likely to engage and convince the audience.
YouTubers have become the most influential social media personality when discussing audience segmentation to help you promote your product or service. So, if you decide to invest in content marketing, you must also be serious about video marketing.
Promotional videos can foster trust as well. Some consumers are still skeptical about buying online products and services because they fear fraud and cheating. But compelling marketing videos present your products in a conversational form.
Overall, video content is an effective way to build trust with your audience. It allows you to communicate authentically, transparently, and credible, create an emotional connection and establish consistency with your brand.
3. Video Ranks Better in Google
Video content can rank better on Google due to higher engagement rates, improved user experience, diversified content, social signals, and video SEO. You should create and optimize video content for a higher ranking in Google search results.
One of the factors of Google’s algorithm for search rankings is “dwell time,” or how long visitors stay on your website. This may also be called “long clicks vs. short clicks.” If people spend a lot of time on your website, it must have quality content. A short, compelling video is a great way to capture viewers’ attention.
4. Video Shows Higher Return on Investment (ROI)
Statistics show that 83% of companies believe video provides a good return on investment. Even though video production is yet to be the easiest task, it can generate more revenue. Plus, online video editing tools are constantly evolving and have become accessible. Even your smartphone can make decent videos already.
Another good news is that your videos can be imperfect. It’s the content that matters! The latest research shows that users are mostly put off by videos that need to explain the product or service more. Low quality and poor design only matter a little. So the video is like pizza. Even if it tastes terrible, it still looks pretty good.
5. Video Marketing is Versatile
Video marketing is a versatile tool that can be used to achieve different marketing goals. Video can work well when launching a new product or service. More businesses using video marketing said they have an explainer video on their homepage.
You can create animated videos if you’re trying to explain a difficult concept to your audience. Animation can bring ideas to life that no text or live video can. Besides, more than boring talking heads are needed to break through the clutter. Animated videos give a perfect mix of entertainment, education, and simplicity. And they work.
6. Mobile Users Love Videos
Video and mobile go hand in hand because people enjoy watching videos on the go. And as the number of smartphone users continues to increase, the video audience keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Google says smartphone users are twice as likely to watch videos as TV viewers. Likewise, mobile phones are more accessible than desktops, where viewers can easily connect to brands that show video content or ads.
The keyword here is convenience. Videos are easy to consume on mobile devices, requiring minimal effort, and can be viewed on the go. With the increasing number of mobile users, video content has become a popular and convenient way to consume information.
7. Video Marketing Captures a Wider Audience
Video content is an excellent tool for learning, but it’s also super easy to consume. In today’s fast-paced world, people don’t have enough time to read long product descriptions or service manuals. The modern customer wants to see the product in action. This trend has become one of the most fundamental driving forces in video content marketing.
Video marketing can capture a broad target audience and works on many levels, even the laziest ones. Ensure you target not only the eyes but also the ears of the potential client. Your competitive advantage gets double power!
8. A video is an Effective Tool for Social Media Marketing.
Social media channels also encourage video content with their new features. Plus, YouTube is the second most popular social network in the world. Video content is more likely to be shared on social media than text or static images. This means that videos have the potential to reach a larger audience than other types of content.
Conclusion
Video advertising is becoming more and more affordable and widespread. It’s an excellent way for marketers to reach people. It is easier than ever for businesses to create and share high-quality video content. We believe this article helped wipe out your doubts and answered the question, “why use video marketing.”
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