Let’s explore some SaaS POS! A POS, or point of sale, is the location (either a physical location such as a retail store or a digital location such as a landing page), where a transaction is made. In regards to online retail systems, such as eBay or Amazon, POS is the checkout; it’s where you pay for the items in your cart. The moment the transaction has been made and the money has been transferred from your bank /PayPal account to the provider’s site, the sale is complete.
Beyond this point, your item or service is owed to you, and you own it (for however long the contract specifies and subject to renewal etc…). So, which payment gateways work best for SaaS? Systems such as CheddarGetter and SalesForce CRM have multi-channel payment gateways that are compatible with many different payment methods.
They combine all steps into one easy to use and easy to track payment system. They both offer data tables that can handle discounts, renewals, subscriptions etc…
What are the features of a well designed POS system?
First of all, your POS must take the user through all contractual obligations and disclaimers. Then, your customers must agree to these terms and conditions. In most cases, this involves a digital signature of some sort or a checkbox “I agree.” Sometimes the provider may even include a captcha validation. This serves 2 purposes: it provides an extra level of security and it makes the user ‘super- aware’ that they are agreeing to a contract, whether they read it or not.
Second, you need to itemize. Before a customer makes the final submission, they should be provided with a digital receipt for review. This way there is no misunderstanding of the final charge. The customers can see exactly what they ordered and which elements make up the total cost (tax, shipping and handling).
For subscription based services, the receipt needs to show the duration of the service being provided, as the main item of the list, along with any maintenance and surcharges that may apply.
If your customers are using a credit card, debit card or a checking account, a standard form for online transactions like PayPal, can be used. (You must be wise in how you use the API, requiring login validation with PayPal, rather than cookie use to auto-login, otherwise you are liable for any fraud enacted on PayPal, per PayPal’s agreement). Be aware that other similar services, such as Google Checkout, have the same legal restrictions.
In closing, I have recommended the elements that should be included in your SaaS POS form. Follow examples like eBay and Amazon and your well on your way to a great sales experience.