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Shaw Merchant Group
Friday, April 24 2020
Best Nail Salon Point of Sale Systems

There's nothing that makes a woman feel more beautiful than having her nails done at a salon. If you're in the business of providing manicures and pedicures for eager customers, then congratulations, because nail salons are often very profitable endeavors. Perhaps you are working as a nail technician for someone else and you are looking into starting your own shop, or maybe you already run your own business and are wanting to get organized. Regardless, if you are running a nail salon, an invaluable tool for getting things done efficiently is having a POS system that matches you well.

You may feel inclined to do things primitively with just an old cash register and a credit card, since your business is mostly service-based and may not include the amount of inventory that you might find in, say, a grocery store. However, every business is the same in that staying organized and having a way to get a bird's eye view of your effectiveness is invaluable. A proper POS will allow you to keep all your records digitally, analyze data such as sales and inventory, and of course take your customer's money in an integrated and hassle-free way.

Lots of people assume that POS systems with these kinds of capabilities have to be complicated or expensive, but they really don't. Let's take a look at a few options that you might try for your nail salon, to help you get a better perspective of the costs and functionality of a few popular systems:

Square

You may have heard of square before, and indeed it is a great, if simplistic POS-esque solution. They provide a way to take your customer's money and also provide great analytics, and they have no monthly fee, which makes the popular with many small startups who don't have any money to invest in either higher-end hardware or in a monthly service fee.

Though you may associate them with businesses like food trucks, Square has some salon-specific and beauty shop-specific solutions that might work well for your niche. However, there are a few downsides: Since they take a percentage of every transaction as their fee, this may not be ideal if you have higher sales volume; it may make more sense to find a POS with a simple monthly fee. Also, Square tends to rely on hardware that you already have such as your tablet or phone, so if you want a simple, all-in-one solution, then Square is probably not it.

Vagaro

This salon- and spa-centric POS system offers all kinds of features that you may find useful for your nail business. In a lot of ways, it is more than just a POS: It allows you to track your customers' purchases and keep a dossier on their personal history with your salon, provides analytics, and handles online booking and confirmation. If you want to start a newsletter for email marketing purposes—which is an invaluable technique for keeping long-term customers and sending them promotions—it can also help you with that. You can buy different kinds of hardware packages from them for your point of sale system as well, and while they are not expensive, they do require an upfront cost. If you're looking for something that doesn't require this upfront investment, you might want to go with another company.

Harbortouch

Currently, there is no salon-specific software from this company (though it is in the works and the company is growing), but Harbortouch certainly makes up for it in affordability. For very little or no upfront cost, you can have all the hardware and software you need to get a great quality POS set up in your shop, and the monthly fees associated with the service are rather low. A few of its major benefits include customizability, a wealth of analytics, and the fact that all of your reporting is not only available locally on your machine, but is also stored on the cloud, so that you can review your stats remotely and you never have to worry about losing your information should your hardware fail.

There are two main POS systems from this company to choose from, and they are the Harbortouch Echo and the Harbortouch Elite. The Echo is a great choice if you are just starting out and don't have too many employees; it's also the more immediately affordable of the two. Even though it's available for a surprisingly inexpensive monthly fee, they certainly did not skimp on features: It has an intuitive touch screen design whose home screen elements can be customized to your taste. Its interface is very easy to learn and training is included with the package. It includes great reporting and organizational tools, and you can access all of these remotely.

The Elite is a bit of a different animal, even though it includes all of the features of the Echo and more. With the Elite, you can further customize your software to make it even more specific to your business, and the hardware is extremely powerful. If you want a POS with a fast processor, and plenty of storage capacity, as well as the ability to control your own user interface experience down to the little details, this is a good choice. It's not even that expensive, so it's definitely worth considering if your business has grown past its initial stages.

As you can see, there is lots of choice in the world of POS systems for nail salons, and these certainly aren't your only options. In a lot of ways, it's not about trying to find the system that is “best,” but trying to find the one that works well with your situation. Whether you want to go with something incredibly simple like Square or you want to get a POS with the capacity to handle just about everything like the Harbortouch Elite, it's a good idea to look into getting some kind of system to handle your sales. Even just the convenience and cost-savings of having digital records stored from the beginning can save you a lot of headaches during tax season.

Posted by: Scott Shaw AT 03:42 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email

Become a Merchant Services Representative

Becoming a merchant services representative involves several key steps. First, it is important to gain a deep understanding of the merchant services industry, including payment processing technology, pricing structures, and industry trends. Obtain relevant certifications and licenses required to work as a merchant services representative. Develop strong sales and negotiation skills to effectively pitch merchant services to potential clients. Build a solid network of contacts within the business community to generate leads and referrals. Establish relationships with payment processing companies and financial institutions to offer a variety of payment solutions to merchants. Provide excellent customer service and support to retain clients and build a positive reputation in the industry. By following these steps diligently and staying informed about industry developments, you can successfully become a merchant services representative.

To succeed as a merchant services representative, it is crucial to understand the needs and challenges of businesses looking for payment processing solutions. Tailor your sales pitch and value propositions to address these specific needs and demonstrate how your services can benefit merchants. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the different types of payment processing solutions available, such as POS systems, online payments, mobile payments, and more. Stay up to date with industry trends and innovations to offer cutting-edge solutions to clients. Build a strong online presence and leverage digital marketing strategies to attract and engage potential clients. Cultivate long-term relationships with merchants by providing ongoing support, troubleshooting, and guidance throughout the payment processing journey. With dedication, expertise, and a customer-centric approach, you can establish yourself as a successful merchant services representative in the competitive payment processing industry.

If you're looking to start a career as a credit card processing agent and begin selling merchant services, you're in luck. The demand for merchant services is on the rise as more and more businesses are moving towards accepting credit and debit card payments. This presents a great opportunity for individuals who are looking to start their own business or work in sales.

We will discuss what it takes to become a credit card processing agent, the steps you need to take to get started, and some tips on how to be successful in this industry.

What is a Credit Card Processing Agent?

First, let's define what a credit card processing agent is. A credit card processing agent, also known as a merchant services agent, is a salesperson who works with businesses to set up credit card processing services so that they can accept credit and debit card payments from their customers. These agents work with payment processing companies to provide businesses with the equipment and services they need to process card payments.

Becoming a credit card processing agent can be a lucrative career choice, as many businesses are willing to pay a commission for each new merchant account that is set up. This means that the more accounts you are able to sign up, the more money you can make.

Steps to Becoming a Credit Card Processing Agent

1. Research the Industry: Before you dive into becoming a credit card processing agent, it's important to do your research on the industry. Understand how credit card processing works, the different types of services that are offered, and the major players in the industry.

2. Obtain the Necessary Licenses and Certifications: In order to become a credit card processing agent, you may need to obtain certain licenses and certifications depending on the state you plan to operate in. Check with your local government to see what is required in your area.

3. Find a Payment Processing Company to Partner With: The next step is to find a payment processing company to partner with. Look for a company that offers competitive rates, reliable service, and good customer support. Some well-known payment processing companies include Square, PayPal, and Stripe.

4. Set Up Your Business: Once you've partnered with a payment processing company, you will need to set up your business. This may involve creating a business plan, registering your business with the appropriate government agencies, and setting up a business bank account.

5. Develop a Sales Strategy: As a credit card processing agent, your main job will be to sell merchant services to businesses. Develop a sales strategy that outlines how you will find and approach potential clients, how you will pitch your services, and how you will close deals.

Tips for Success as a Credit Card Processing Agent

1. Build Relationships: In the world of sales, building relationships is key. Take the time to get to know your clients, understand their needs, and provide them with personalized solutions. This will not only help you close more deals but also build a loyal customer base.

2. Stay Up to Date on Industry Trends: The payment processing industry is constantly evolving, with new technology and regulations being introduced all the time. Stay up to date on industry trends and be proactive in adapting your sales strategy to take advantage of new opportunities.

3. Provide Excellent Customer Service: Once you've signed up a client, it's important to continue providing them with excellent customer service. Be responsive to their needs, address any issues promptly, and go above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction.

4. Network: Networking is an important part of building a successful career as a credit card processing agent. Attend industry events, join networking groups, and connect with other professionals in the field to expand your reach and generate new leads.

5. Set Realistic Goals: Set realistic goals for yourself in terms of the number of merchant accounts you want to sign up each month, the amount of commission you want to earn, and the growth of your business. By setting specific goals, you can track your progress and stay motivated.

In conclusion, becoming a credit card processing agent can be a rewarding career choice for individuals who are looking to start their own business or work in sales. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing the tips for success, you can set yourself up for a successful career in the merchant services industry. Good luck!

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