If you’re passionate about music but not so keen on back office chores, a point of sale (POS) system is exactly what you need to streamline your music store management. A POS system is the go-to tool for managing inventory, generating reports, and building customer relationships — but its capabilities extend far beyond the basics.
If your current POS solution isn’t meeting your needs or if you’re looking to upgrade what you currently have, finding a system with specialized POS features for music stores is the answer. They’re not just a one-size-fits-all solution; they’re designed to address the unique needs of music store owners.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through 10 POS features for music stores to consider when searching for a new system.
POS systems usually cover the basics, like accepting payments and managing inventory. While these features are must-haves, you might be missing out on functionalities that are specific to running a music store. From the essentials to some great extras that make your life easier, here are 10 POS features for music stores.
This is a given: All retailers have inventory, but managing inventory for your music store is likely more nuanced than for more general retailers. Musical instruments and accessories are more varied, are typically more complex, require specialized knowledge to organize effectively, can have a much longer shelf life, and often include serial numbers to track individual pieces of equipment.
Other types of inventory management, like batch tracking and use-case, are generally used for items sold in bulk or those with minimal variation, such as a shirt available in two to three colors. A POS system with serialized inventory tracking is ideal for managing musical instruments, repair parts, and other specialized equipment that require detailed tracking.
With a full view of store sales and trends, you can make informed decisions about where you spend your money.
Detailed sales reports let you see a complete view of sales across all your stores, sync customer info between locations, and check stock levels from any POS station. It’s all about keeping you informed and on top of your business.
Remind staff to suggest those new violin strings at checkout with upsell messaging. It’s a helpful feature that prompts cashiers to suggest extra items during checkout. It’s a great way to boost your average order value and give customers a little nudge toward adding that extra accessory or add-on.
Customer relationship management (CRM) helps you keep track of and manage your relationships with both new and loyal customers. With a music store POS system, easily store and use important customer information to make your communication more personal and relevant.
For instance, if you have a regular customer who’s all about electric guitars, they probably don’t need updates on clarinet lessons. A CRM feature ensures that your messaging stays on point and interesting for each customer.
A POS system can help you set up tiered loyalty programs that reward everyone from first-time buyers to your most dedicated fans. You can also use it to send out SMS messages with key information like store closures or upcoming events, making sure your customers are always in the loop.
Related Read: Upselling and Cross-Selling: 8 Tips for Music Stores
A key feature to look for in a top-notch music store POS system is smooth integration with e-commerce platforms. This lets you manage both your online and in-store sales from one place, making it easier to handle inventory and process orders. It helps you keep track of stock levels and fulfill orders more efficiently. And there are some other great e-commerce features you’ll want to consider, like:
By choosing a POS system with these capabilities, you'll be well-equipped to manage your music store’s sales and inventory more effectively, both online and in store.
Related Read: How To Build a Music Store Website: 9 Tips & Tools
Today, customers expect a range of payment options. In 2022, 60% of millennials and Gen Z preferred using services like Afterpay and Affirm. To meet these expectations, your music store should accept cash, credit, debit, and mobile wallets, and also integrate with buy now, pay later (BNPL) services. This is particularly important for expensive items like musical instruments and sound equipment, which can be tough to pay for all at once.
A POS system should be easy for your staff to handle. Look for one with a straightforward, user-friendly interface that doesn’t need much training. This helps cut down on checkout errors and speed up transactions, which is especially useful when your music store is bustling with customers hunting for their next instrument or gear.
Many music stores offer lessons, and having a POS system with music lesson scheduling can simplify things. It helps you manage bookings, keep track of instructor availability, and handle payments all in one place. This feature makes running your lesson program smoother and enhances the customer experience.
Instruments need some TLC from time to time. A POS system with a repairs management feature helps you keep track of repair requests, manage orders, and update customers on their instrument’s status. It makes the repair process more efficient and keeps your customers in the know.
Solid reporting and analytics allow you to see how your music shop is performing. Look for features that give you insights into sales, customer behavior, inventory, and staff performance. Your software should either auto-generate useful reports or let you create custom ones, so you can focus on the information that matters most to you.
Technical issues are inevitable, so having reliable customer support is the difference between a quick fix or hours of frustration just to resolve a simple issue. Choose a POS provider that offers accessible help resources, like live chat, phone support, and detailed documentation.
Once you’ve narrowed down your software options, don’t forget to check out the reviews! Look for real customer feedback on their website, social media channels, or review sites like Google, Capterra, or G2. Seeing what other users have to say will give you an honest look at how well the software performs and how reliable their customer support is.
Music Shop 360 is the premier choice for music store owners who want a POS system designed with music store owners in mind. It comes with useful POS features for music stores like Reverb integration, which helps you connect with a popular marketplace for both new and used gear, expanding your reach and boosting sales.
Serialized inventory management is perfect for keeping track of unique instruments and equipment. Plus, with the work orders and repairs feature, managing instrument repairs becomes a breeze, ensuring your customers stay informed throughout the process.
The system also supports special orders, trade-ins, and consignment, adding flexibility to your store’s offerings. Integration with My Music Staff makes scheduling music lessons easy, while color-based discounting and employee base daily targets help with promotions and staff motivation.
Whether you need just some or all of the features on this list, you can customize Music Shop 360 to fit your needs and your budget.
Schedule a free demo today.