The New Zealand business landscape thrives on innovation and efficiency. In today’s fast-paced environment, offering a seamless and secure payment experience is no longer a nicety – it’s a necessity. Choosing the right EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of sale) machine can be the difference between satisfied customers and frustrating hold-ups. But with a variety of options available, navigating the world of EFTPOS terminals can feel overwhelming.
Let’s kick it off by first Understanding Your Business Needs. Before diving into specific features, take a step back and consider your unique business needs. Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
- Transaction Volume: Do you process a handful of transactions daily, or do you experience peak hours with high volume?
- Business Model: Are you a traditional brick-and-mortar store, a mobile service provider, or a combination of both?
- Budget: How much are you comfortable investing in an EFTPOS solution? Consider both upfront costs and ongoing fees. Read more about the costs and fees associated.
- Technical Expertise: Do you have a dedicated IT team, or do you require a user-friendly system with minimal setup?
- Future Growth: Do you anticipate significant growth in the coming years? Choose a scalable solution and partner that can adapt to your changing needs.
A crucial component to a successful small business is customer satisfaction, and the right EFTPOS terminal plays an essential role. No matter what kind of small business you have there is an ideal EFTPOS machine out there that will suit your exact needs—no more, no less. It’s just a matter of choosing the right one.
Let’s get it!
Integrated System vs Standalone Machine
Now that you have a clearer picture of your business requirements, let’s explore the difference between integrated and standalone. Integrated systems describe when an EFTPOS terminal connects to a supplementary point-of-sale (POS) system for payment processing. Standalone machines do not have this feature and instead operate entirely from the EFTPOS device. The choice between these two will affect your business’s day-to-day operations.
Integrated System
Integrated systems are incredibly useful for businesses with inventory that needs to be tracked and transactions that need to be logged. POS systems, by their very nature, provide an easy and trainable interface for employees to initiate payments, and it makes stocktaking much simpler.
That said, there are some bumps in the road for start-ups when it comes to getting an integrated system. They can be very expensive, as you have to purchase the supplementary POS hardware and software alongside the EFTPOS terminal. The plans from payment providers for this kind of setup can also run more expensive from month to month, increasing your business expenses.
Aside from this main benefit, integrated systems also initiate automatic transactions using information from the POS, so you don’t need to key in the price on the terminal manually. This creates a more streamlined, professional transaction, which is essential when establishing a small business.
What to ask yourself: Can I afford an integrated Point-of-Sale system? If I can, are the features going to elevate my business and improve my bottom line, or is the money better spent elsewhere?
If you already have a POS system, check out Skyzer’s POS partners to see if our terminals seamlessly integrate with your POS system.
Standalone Terminal
Standalone terminals are comprised of the entire system in one small device, so you don’t need to worry about spending a large amount of money on hardware. Plans from payment providers also run cheaper for standalone devices, which saves you money every month.
While that might seem inconsequential now, small businesses and start-ups undeniably benefit from every penny saved. These terminals also have the benefit being a space saver, as there is no large POS system clogging up the counter.
While these systems benefit from the cheaper operation, they have a few cons to them as well. For example, business owners need to track inventory the old-fashioned way when using a standalone terminal—writing down transactions, stapling receipts, and so on—as there are no supplementary systems logging transactions. This leaves a lot of room for human error, and potentially inaccurate books.
What to ask yourself: Do I have a large amount of inventory that I need to keep track of from day to day? How much space do I have on my counter for a sales system?
Countertop vs Mobile EFTPOS Terminal
Integration and standalone configurations are available for both countertop and mobile terminals, so the choice comes down to what kind of business you run. Do you benefit from a lot of flexibility and mobility on the sales floor, or is it more efficient for you to have a stationary sales point? Let’s take a look.
Countertop EFTPOS Terminal
Having a countertop terminal ensures that your customers will come to you, so all of your sales can be conducted from one stationary point. This is a great way to optimise the customer experience in a brick-and-mortar store, as it directs them to one easy-to-find point of sale. These are the classic EFTPOS machines, ideal for fixed locations like retail stores and restaurants. They offer a stable and secure connection for processing transactions. Furthermore, countertop terminals can be hardwired to your form of connection to improve the stability and speed of transactions.
This kind of terminal is less suitable for stores where mobility and flexibility are key. For example, if your customers prefer to pay from their table, or if you’re a boutique business, a mobile terminal is likely to be a better option.
What to ask yourself: Would my business benefit from having a stationary point of sale? Do I need the flexibility a mobile, portable terminal offers?
Mobile EFTPOS Terminal
We’re seeing more portable EFTPOS machines in New Zealand than ever thanks to evolving technology and an increasing need for flexibility. These convenient devices are helpful for all kinds of small businesses, especially ones that rely on their mobility.
If you have a business that moves from place to place—like a food truck or a pop-up store—then using a mobile device is the key to enabling a convenient experience for your customers. And it’s not just mobile stores that benefit from this technology! Brick and mortar establishments that prefer to bring the payment to their customers—such as cafes, restaurants, and bars— would be the ideal place for a mobile terminal. Overall, very versatile and are ideal for tradies, delivery services, and market stalls.Â
The only downside of this kind of EFTPOS terminal is also its upside, which is its connectivity. The terminal relies on wireless internet connections, so if your internet is precarious, you might need to consider a hardwired countertop terminal instead.
What to ask yourself: Would my business benefit from bringing payment to the customers? Is my business mobile? Do I have a stable Wi-Fi connection suitable for this terminal?
BONUS: Beyond the Basics
While core functionality is essential, specific features can elevate your customer experience and boost business efficiency. Here are some other features to consider:
- Service and Support:Â Choosing the right EFTPOS provider is just as important as selecting the terminal itself. partnering with a reputable provider that offers reliable hardware, responsive customer support, and robust security measures. he importance of ongoing support services, including troubleshooting assistance, software updates, and training resources to ensure that your staff can effectively use the terminal.
- Growing with your Business:Â Not all EFTPOS terminals are created equal, and understanding the features and functionality offered by different models is key to finding the right fit for your business. Essential features such as transaction speed, connectivity options (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G), screen size and readability, keypad layout, and compatibility with additional accessories like receipt printers and barcode scanners. By prioritising the features that matter most to your business, you can ensure that your chosen terminal that meets your needs both now and in the future.
Have More Questions? The team is happy to help.
Skyzer offers two main models to address these considerations: the mobile Move 5000 and the fixed Desk 5000 directly to kiwi business owners. We’ve created an interactive quiz to help expedite the decision-making process for kiwi business owners – and don’t forget, they come in a range of colours too!
At Skyzer, we’re committed to providing high-quality EFTPOS solutions that meet the diverse needs of businesses across New Zealand. Skyzer is an expert on EFTPOS payment solutions across NZ, we can help you figure out which kind of terminal is ideal for your business from mobile EFTPOS machines to state-of-the-art POS terminals, carve out your place in business, and give our friendly experts a call today to enhance your customer experience.
