If you’re searching for the right software for your craft store, you’ve likely considered Square — and for good reason. As a point of sale (POS) solution, it’s simple, quick, and reliable.
But Square isn’t your only option, as your arts and craft store might need more than what Square provides.
Software made specifically for craft stores gives you features that cover a range of needs unique to the industry, and which ultimately help you get more actionable information for less work.
Finding the best POS system for your store can be challenging, but you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll go over essential features to look for, then explore four different POS systems to consider for your business.
Already know what you’re looking for? Jump to any POS below to see the full breakdown.
- Rain POS
- Shopify POS
- RetailEdge
- KORONA POS
Now, let’s dive into the best alternatives to Square for craft stores.
What Should I Look for in a Craft Store POS System?
Craft stores have industry-specific challenges, and your POS system should address them. Here are the features to consider in your search for an alternative to Square:
- Comprehensive inventory management: Craft stores sell many products in certain units, like yards or meters. A POS system that allows you to sell by the unit not only takes a lot of confusion out of the checkout process, but also lets you accurately track inventory quantities by color, size, weight, and fabric.
- Customer loyalty program: Any good craft store wants to maintain quality customer relationships since that brings in regulars. A POS system with a native customer loyalty program (or that integrates with one) lets customers gather points and redeem rewards, incentivizing them to come back again and again.
- Sales reporting: When making a significant business decision, you need to back it up with data. Modern POS systems provide extensive reports on sales activity, customers, and products to make sure you have the opportunity to grow your craft store.
- E-commerce capabilities: These days, a lot of retail lives online — and so should your craft store. Building an online craft store seems intimidating at first, but you can research a POS system’s website-building configurations or e-commerce integrations.
- Custom work ordering: Craft stores frequently get special orders for custom materials like fabric patterns or yarn colors. An industry-specific POS system allows you to view custom orders, collect deposits, and provide customers with updates for ultimate efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Simple class scheduling system: If your craft store hosts classes, you can use a POS solution that comes with its own class scheduling and management system. This way, customers can easily register for your craft classes online (and even receive reminders), and you can check that you have enough inventory for classes.
Looking for a POS system with these features ensures your craft store can keep up with everyday operations and optimize its own sales game.
What Square Has To Offer
Square’s flexibility makes it adaptable to different business types, including basic features like:
- Multiple types of hardware: Select from Square’s kiosks, handheld POS, portable terminal, register screen, and more to take card payments.
- Essential checkout features: Accept card payments from all major credit cards, print or digitally send receipts, and prompt customers for tips.
- Inventory management: View inventory reports and get low-stock alerts for items so you can stay ahead of demand. Item modifiers also help with special requests or add-ons.
- Sales reports: Understand your sales performance and make smarter business decisions by backing them up with data.
- Loyalty rewards program and discounts: Create discounts in the Square Dashboard and let customers easily rack up rewards by entering their contact information during checkout.
- Device management: Use the Square Dashboard to view and manage all of your POS devices.
These are more generic features that come with any POS solution. However, for your arts and craft store to thrive, you’ll want software that’s built specifically for the industry’s unique challenges and needs.
4 Square Alternatives for Craft Stores
Now that you know what POS system features are essential for craft stores, and where Square is lacking, we’ll go into the four best alternative softwares.
Overview
Rain POS was made specifically with craft stores in mind, so know that you’ll get specialized tools essential to any growing arts and craft business. Tools include sales reports, a kit builder, class management, and more.
Notable features
- Inventory tracking and management: Sell materials by the unit, get notified when certain items are low on stock, and receive comprehensive sales reports so you can keep your tasks efficient and organized.
- E-commerce website builder: Build a native e-commerce website that syncs with your brick-and-mortar’s inventory and updates in real time. (There’s also the option to integrate with Shopify.)
- Marketing tools: Get the word out about your craft store with Rain POS’ integration to Notions Marketing. Your store can also use Rain POS to send out marketing materials via text messages and email to reach customers wherever and whenever.
- Work order system: Keep your tasks organized by priority so you can stay on top of custom work orders. Rain POS’ work order management system also provides detailed, transparent documentation for each task, as well as templates you can easily customize.
- Class registration: Let participants easily register for craft classes online and make sure your inventory is prepared ahead of time. You can use our system to send reminders to registered participants to prevent no-shows.
- Customer loyalty program: Reward repeat customers with loyalty points that are tracked both in store and online. Set up which rewards loyalty members can earn for how many points, and send out targeted emails. Rain POS’ integration with Clientbook also helps you manage customer relationships so they’ll come again and again.
- Accounting software integration: Sync your store’s data with QuickBooks Online to check on expenses, billing, payroll, and more. This way, you’ll have no problem finding the right information when tax season rolls around.
Considerations
Rain POS does have a learning curve, but our onboarding team gets you up to speed quickly.
Pricing
Contact Rain POS for a software demo and pricing information, starting at $99 per month.
Overview
If you already use Shopify for your e-commerce needs, Shopify POS can be a convenient option. Your online store and physical store are synced, so there’s no need to manually check that inventory between the two matches.
Notable features
- Gift cards: Use Shopify POS to sell both physical and digital gift cards for your store. When a customer receives a digital one, they can even add it to their mobile Apple Wallet.
- Individual customer profiles: Get to know your customers by viewing their purchase history, then recommend products and materials to boost your retail sales.
- POS software and hardware: Process transactions with physical POS systems and online shopping software from Shopify POS. And like Square, employees can use POS apps on mobile devices to check out customers wherever they are in your store.
- POS customization: Organize your POS interface to your liking and add extensions or functions to make sure the checkout process is smooth.
Considerations
Shopify POS isn’t built with craft stores in mind, so you might miss out on industry-specific features like fractional inventory management.
Pricing
Shopify POS pricing starts at $39 per month for the Basic plan, which is built for solo entrepreneurs.
Overview
RetailEdge fits itself into multiple business types, from craft stores to bakeries, due to its versatility as a POS system. This solution is particularly useful for stores that do business in different countries, but it boasts other useful features, too.
Notable features
- Mobile POS and apps: Get access to RetailEdge’s mobile workstation, in which your store data is copied onto a mobile device, and you can work from anywhere. The mobile POS is synced every couple of minutes to the main system and works even if it’s not connected to the internet. RetailEdge also offers their own iOS and Android apps.
- Support for international business: Use their global POS system to accept all kinds of currencies and operate your store in countries around the world, including Canada, Japan, and Mexico.
- Variety of hardware: Customize your in-store setup, thanks to the POS system’s compatibility with multiple kinds of POS hardware. You won’t have to worry about buying specific hardware just for your software.
- E-commerce integrations: Sync your in-store stock to your online store with the help of integrations with Octopus Bridge and Shopify. If your e-commerce platform isn’t already connected to RetailEdge, no worries — you can use an API to integrate it.
Considerations
Their FAQs are more formatted as discussion forums, so it might be difficult to find answers to technical questions without contacting support; support is free for just 90 days.
Pricing
Pricing for Retail Edge starts at a one-time fee of $495.
Overview
KORONA POS by Combase covers features for all kinds of businesses, even beyond retail, so you have the power to customize it as you wish. Its popular features include the essentials, like merchant services, different types of checkout terminals, and inventory management.
Notable features
- Inventory tracking and analysis: Consolidate inventory from multiple stores, even if they’re different types, in one place. KORONA provides sales reports for each product. Plus, KORONA POS includes inventory tracking to predict thefts and prevent them before they happen.
- Self-checkout hardware: Install KORONA POS’ self-checkout kiosks in your store to provide your customers with a self-checkout option and maximum convenience.
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software: Maintain good customer relationships using the CRM system native to KORONA POS. View data on customers and make sure they’re having the best shopping experience they can get, while you get repeat customers.
- Integration for e-commerce, marketing, and more: Connect your POS system to your online store, create marketing campaigns, and customize your website thanks to the integration with WooCommerce.
Considerations
You might find that KORONA POS is a bit more complex than what you’re used to, so it may involve a steep learning curve while you’re onboarding.
Pricing
KORONA POS plans start at $59 per month, with additional packages for integrations, food businesses, and ticketing available for purchase.
Rain POS: The Solution Made Just for Your Craft Store
You have plenty of options to choose from in your search for the right craft store POS solution. While one that’s versatile enough to cover a variety of businesses may seem like a good option, it might make you lose out on the effectiveness of industry-specific software.
Rain POS was made specifically for arts and crafts stores like yours, so when you use it to power your business, you’ll see just how transformative it is.
Schedule a demo today to learn why our customers love Rain POS.
[CTA: Rain POS-To Schedule Demo-In Blog-Craft]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a craft store POS system?
A craft store POS system is a point of sale solution that caters specifically to the needs of arts and crafts or hobby stores. It includes features like fractional inventory management to account for color, size, and fabric, class management so customers can register for arts and crafts classes, and a custom work order system for special craft orders.
Q: Why should I find an alternative to Square?
Square works well for general retail, but craft stores often deal with large numbers of product variants and items sold by the yard or unit of measure, and workshops or classes. You need an alternative POS system to accommodate the nuances of your industry.
Q: Can craft store POS systems connect to my online store?
It depends on the POS system. Rain POS includes a built-in e-commerce website builder that automatically syncs with in-store inventory. Others, like RetailEdge and KORONA POS, rely on integrations with platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to connect online and in-store sales.
Q: Does Square offer class scheduling for craft stores?
No. If you use Square as your craft store’s POS system, you must also use a third-party event or class registration website to let customers sign up for classes.