The Complete Buyers’ Guide to Cell Phone Store POS Software

As a cell phone store owner, you know that offering products and services your customers love is the key to standing out and finding success. Complimented by the right cell phone point of sale (POS) system, you can delight customers, boost efficiency, and increase sales like never before.

Whether you want to change your existing cell phone store POS software or implement it for the first time, this buyers’ guide is designed to help you choose a solution with confidence.

Chapters

    Cell Phone Store POS Software: Why Do You Need It?

    Many small cell phone stores lack the tools and resources to tackle operational inefficiencies, changing customer demands, and unpredictable market conditions. But investing in the right technology can help. That’s why independent cell phone stores nationwide rely on modern POS systems to help overcome the industry’s unique challenges and stay ahead of evolving customer needs.

    Here are some of the most common roadblocks to cell phone store success — and why adopting a modern POS system is necessary for overcoming them.

     

    Industry competition

    With thin profit margins and lots of competition, you need smarter ways to analyze sales data, capture customers’ attention, and keep operations running smoothly. Modern POS systems make it easier for businesses of any size to stand out with exceptional customer service and marketing – which are essential for growth.

    High turnover and multi-location challenges

    Many cell phone store owners want to expand their business to new locations and keep their knowledgeable employees. However, without a centralized way to manage multiple locations, it’s hard to keep employees engaged and maintain a high level of customer service. This is where cell phone store POS software can help.

    Specialized inventory needs

    Many cell phone stores are still tracking IMEI numbers and general SKUs with spreadsheets and other manual processes. These methods are error-prone and increase shrinkage risk. Plus, constantly micromanaging inventory wastes time that could be spent on more strategic tasks. Adopting a cell phone store POS solution can make inventory a hands-free task with built-in automation tools.

    CellSmart Buyers Guide_Section 1

    Customer and repair management

    Running a cell phone store requires tracking item history, customer warranties, manufacturer warranties, and repair orders — and doing this manually can lead to errors and frustration for both employees and customers. Filing service orders virtually with a POS solution, and backing everything up in the cloud, means you can ditch the pen-and-paper processes.

    Increased reputational risk

    Your business is built on trust. That means keeping customer information safe and verifying the origin and integrity of your stock. Using a modern POS and ticketing system makes you less vulnerable to data and legal compliance breaches, which can be a death blow for a small business.

    What Features Does My Cell Phone Store Need?

    We recommend cell phone store POS software that is specifically designed to handle the challenges of cell phone and electronics shops. Cell phone store POS systems are loaded with features that will elevate your customer service, improve your efficiency, and drive revenue. 

    Below are some of the top features you should look for when considering cell phone store POS providers

    Advanced Inventory Management and Tracking

    With a POS system made specifically for managing cell phone and electronics stores, you can significantly improve the efficiency of processes like general inventory tracking, IMEI management, and purchase orders.

    • Serialized, non-serialized, and IMEI tracking: To get full control of your inventory and minimize shrinkage, use a POS system that can handle a mix of serialized and non-serialized inventory.
    • Used and resale inventory support: Capture seller images and track IMEI numbers of used inventory. This builds trust with customers — and safeguards you and your employees when selling used or refurbished items.
    • Inventory detail and history: Look up current stock levels, restock dates, and historical inventory levels and drill down into precise product specifications. Set up automated email reports so you know how your stock is trending at the beginning and end of each business day.
    • Multi-location pricing and inventory transfers: Gain real-time inventory insights across all store locations to reduce the likelihood of stockouts or overstocking. Quickly replicate successful inventory models when opening new locations.

    BUYER TIP

    Some generic POS systems offer advanced inventory management as an add-on or at additional cost. Be sure to pick a cell phone store POS system that includes these features out of the box.

    Optimized Repair Services and Trade-Ins

    Cell phone store POS software can significantly improve customer service and efficiency when handling returns, warranty claims, and repairs. Empower your employees with the tools they need to be effective so you can always keep customers happy — even when things go wrong.

    • Integrated repair ticketing: By combining sales and inventory, you can easily track what components you need to make repairs, view customers’ repair history, create invoices, and more.
    • Detailed repair status labels: Improve how you communicate important details with customers using detailed repair receipts that confirm complete repair details, necessary passwords, estimated costs, and more. 
    • Custom text messages and notifications: Ensure customers stay in the loop by giving customers real-time updates on repair status via SMS or email. 
    • Simplified warranty and recall management: Advanced IMEI tracking helps you track exactly which supplier products came from, which customers are affected in the event of a product recall, and if repairs are within warranty.

    CellSmart Buyers Guide_Section 3

    Flexible Customer Engagement and Marketing

    Top cell phone store POS systems include built-in features to smooth out the customer experience, encourage repeat business, and stand out in a competitive repair market.

    • Tailored customer loyalty and promotions: With modern POS software, you can analyze customer data to create targeted marketing campaigns and custom offers, such as birthday discounts, plan upgrades, and exclusive VIP promotions.
    • Customized offers: Use your POS system to create custom product bundles or mix and match offers that cater to your diverse customer base — and help you sell slow-moving items. 
    • E-commerce integration: Integrating a POS system with an e-commerce platform lets you easily sell products and repair services online. An online presence can make you visible to a wider audience, too.
    • Convenient payment options: Accepting multiple payment methods, including credit and debit cards, mobile payments, and even layaway payments for big purchases, adds a layer of convenience for customers.

    BUYER TIP

    No two cell phone stores are alike. Make sure your POS system has plenty of options for customer engagement so you can create and market offers that fit your diverse customer base.

    Streamlined Processes and Customer Service

    A tailored POS system provides many features that simplify your day-to-day and reduce the chance of human error, so you can spend less time on tedious tasks and more time on your customers.

    • Efficient work order management: POS software allows you to seamlessly assign repair tasks to employees. Item pictures, repair notes, and parts lists set your technicians up for fast and transparent repairs.
    • Customizable UI layouts: Ensure your POS system’s user interface can be configured to how your business runs to reduce data entry errors and make transitioning to a new system easier.
    • Employee tracking and incentives: Built-in commission modules allow you to set up commission tiers and monitor individual progress. Use your POS software to set up competitions among employees and incentivize them to make more sales.
    • Multilingual support: Many store owners serve a diverse range of customers. Make sure your POS system offers multilingual support for invoices, repair receipts, and more. (Spanish is a must!)

    BUYER TIP

    When you demo cell phone store POS software, ask questions about your daily processes. POS software should complement the workflows your business uses.

    Improved Data Security and Compliance

    A single data leak can spell disaster for a small business — both financially and in lost reputation. POS software handles data security and compliance so you can focus on business growth.

    • Advanced data security: Use a cloud-based POS system backed by the latest security measures to ensure your customer and product information stays secure. Cloud POS solutions typically include software updates that help stay on top of best practices. 
    • Flexible tax rates: Stay compliant with state and local laws by using your POS to set variable tax rates based on item, store location, and more.
    • Legally compliant payment processing: Using a POS system that adheres to PCI DSS standards ensures your payment processing is secure and up to the latest standards. (Ask about in-house payment processing as this typically results in more competitive rates and better customer service.)

    BUYER TIP

    Security and compliance can seem like non-issues — until they are. Don’t cut corners and get yourself into trouble later on. Ensure your POS system follows security best practices to keep your business and customers safe!

    Reports for Smart Decisions and Increased Flexibility

    Cell phone stores constantly introduce new products — and it can be difficult to track popular items, your busiest times, and changing customer trends all at once. The right POS software will help your business grow by giving you the knowledge to make informed decisions that align with your goals.

    • Custom reports: Custom reports based on sales, store trends, product movement, and other metrics help you learn customers’ preferences so you can quickly adjust your purchasing strategy or offer promotions to boost sales. Modern POS software allows you to schedule custom report delivery so you know what’s going on at specific times of day.
    • Cloud-based mobile POS: A cloud-based POS solution allows you to monitor alerts and modify inventory for all store locations. Check on your business via any mobile device without physically being there.

    Tips for Choosing a Cell Phone Store POS

    There are many benefits to adopting a POS system in your cell phone store, but the real question is: which system is right for you and your unique business? 

    Start by considering your business’ unique strengths and weaknesses. Are you losing time on inventory management? Is your work order solution slowing you down? Do you want to offer online sales? These questions help determine what features are most important.

    Have Deal-Breaker Questions Ready in Advance

    Don’t forget your long-term goals. You don’t want to rush into adopting an inflexible POS system that can’t grow with your business. Schedule product demos with potential technology partners and ask all of your questions before you commit.

    If you’re not sure what kinds of things to ask about, here are a few ideas to get you started.

    CellSmart Buyers Guide_Section 4

     

    • Does your POS system support all the processes a cell phone store needs to run successfully, such as IMEI tracking, phone activations, and repair service tracking?

    • What kind of ongoing technical support and training do you offer? How do I contact you if there’s an issue?

    • What kind of hardware is required for the POS system? Will it work with my existing setup?

    • What is the pricing model, and what fees are associated with it? What are your payment processing rates?

    Get Started With the Best Cell Phone Store POS Software

    As a cell phone store owner, you know that great deals and customer loyalty are at the heart of your business. With the right POS system, you can unlock your cell phone shop’s full potential and lay the foundation for ongoing success thanks to:

    • Advanced inventory and IMEI tracking
    • Integrated repair tickets and notifications
    • Commission tiers and sales competitions
    • Custom automated reports
    • Built-in customer loyalty programs
    • Tailored pricing and discounts
    • Mobile inventory scanners
    • Flexible payment options
    • User-friendly interface

    Independent cell phone sellers and electronics repair shops across the U.S. trust CellSmart POS because it is specifically designed for them. With affordable pricing, powerful capabilities, and plenty of customizable features, CellSmart POS is a system that the industry loves.

    Ready to Learn More?

    CellSmart POS comes with all of the features mentioned in this guide — and more — baked in. Schedule a demo today to find out how you can get started with CellSmart POS for your cell phone store!

    Schedule My Demo