Lightspeed is a cloud-based point of sale (POS) software solution for retailers and restaurants.
It helps businesses monitor their inventory and sales with its long list of features and functionalities that allow users to integrate in-person orders with online sales.
Founded in 2005 to offer consumers a personalized, more convenient shopping experience online, Lightspeed is designed for iPad/iOS users.
It’s intended for small and medium-sized businesses but also offers specially customized packages for larger and more established enterprises.
Lightspeed is ideal for retail stores and specialty shops like home décor, apparel, pet needs, footwear, bike shops and rentals and even wine stores.
It is also good for repair shops of all types, such as those for jewelry and electronics.
Additionally, Lightspeed is also for restaurants of all types and sizes, ranging from full-service restaurants, cafes, bars, hotel restaurants and quick service dining shops.
Lightspeed is cloud-based, so you can access and use it any day and any time. As such, you’ll have more opportunities to connect with customers and increase profit.
Lightspeed Features
Lightspeed caters to three specific business sectors: the retail industry, restaurants and the golfing community. Its core features are catered towards all three industries.
Inventory
This feature will help you take care of your inventory without having to deal with tons of paperwork or rely on manual labor.
Aside from allowing you to monitor inventory through the tool, you can also do restocking right in the system.
Various catalogs are pre-loaded in the POS, so restocking is guaranteed to be easier and more efficient.
Customer profile
You can create a profile for your customers before you scan or punch in the item or items they are purchasing using a barcode scanner.
If the customer has purchased from or availed of your products and services, you can easily pull out his or her profile from the system. You will then have access to buyer-relevant information.
After you input the details of the items, you can charge them to the customer’s debit or credit card and PayPal account or check, or you can ask for cash payment or whatever method is accepted by your business.
Customers are then given a copy of their receipt either via their email or in print.
Customer and employees tracking reports
Lightspeed gathers information about customers’ and employees’ habits (i.e. buying habits, product preferences and employees’ time in and time out). All these data are then placed in an Excel or PDF report.
Likewise, integrations can be used to process accounting data.
Templates and integrations
Aside from collecting relevant customer shopping data, the software also has built-in templates for easy website creation. Thus, you don’t have to worry about not having complex technical skills.
In addition, you can make use of integrations, such as one that connects your site to Facebook, so you can add more selling platforms.
Lightspeed has its own set of eCommerce solutions but it also integrates with accounting platforms like Quickbooks.
Industry-specific tools
Lightspeed has specific tools for the industries it caters to. For its restaurant POS, for example, one of the functions of the inventory feature is the seamless monitoring of individual ingredients.
It also provides extensive tools and features that cater to the retail and golf clubs, designed to make the experience easier.
24/7 customer support
You can use live chat, phone and email to get in touch with customer support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There are also onboarding sessions, which go live, for those who want to make sure they start outright. Likewise, users can take advantage of webinars if they want a walk-through of the software’s interface.
Lightspeed also takes care of your customers through a forum where they can discuss various issues related to the tool. There are also video tutorials that can be easily accessed on YouTube.
Robust hardware
Lightspeed has hardware items and kits made specifically for desktops and iPads. It also works well with other hardware, especially the POS-related ones.
Additionally, it is compatible with a number of thermal printers, credit card processors, print label printers and cash drawers, among others.
For your convenience, however, you can ask any of the Lightspeed staff to assist you with choosing the right hardware for your system.
Lightspeed benefits
Lightspeed gives businesses looking to streamline and optimize their retail operations a definitive edge through the following benefits:
More than just a POS
Lightspeed goes beyond the typical definition of a Point of Sale system. Its features are wide and varied, so you’re guaranteed that all areas of your business are covered. It comes with a solid eCommerce functionality.
Easy to set up and use
Using Lightspeed does not require you to go through a rigorous process. All you need to do is link your Google account with your Lightspeed account. You can then choose to purchase additional hardware from your vendor.
Integrates with other solutions and systems
Lightspeed integrates with several accounting solutions and social media networks. This helps you connect with customers conveniently.
Additionally, customer support, which is available 24/7, can also help you set up Lightspeed. You can also avail of free video tutorials, webinars and walkthroughs.
Cloud-based platform
Lightspeed can be accessed via the cloud, which means it is available anytime and anywhere where there is a strong internet connection. It will be easy for you to monitor your business even if you’re traveling or out of the office.
It is also mobile compatible, so you can also use your smartphone in accessing your online store and your POS system.
Lightspeed Pricing
Lightspeed Retail has five pricing packages; Basic at $69 per month, Starter at $99/month, Standard for a monthly fee of $119, $169 per month for the Advanced package and $229 a month for the Pro package.
All packages are billed annually and come with retail POS and payment features complete with terminal.
Other features included in the package are eCommerce (except for the Basic package), loyalty (for Advanced and Pro options only), accounting (for Standard, Advanced and Pro packages only) and analytics (for Pro package only).
Lightspeed Restaurant, on the other hand, has only two pricing options; Add-ons starting at $12 per month and Premium Add-ons with a monthly fee starting at $39.
POS add-ons for the first package include customer-facing display, self-order table menu, advanced reporting and kitchen display system.
Premium add-ons include accounting, loyalty app, delivery integration, loyalty features and self-order kiosk.
Enterprise plans for both Retail and Restaurant are available upon request.
A free trial is also available if you wish to test the solution before committing to a purchase.
Conclusion
Lightspeed’s intuitive POS solution offers functionality and value to all its users for all industries. It comes with specific feature sets for several businesses and industries and is very cost-effective compared to other solutions offering similar features and benefits.
It’s also simple and convenient to use for users of all technical abilities and ensures that operations are streamlined and optimized for all businesses using the platform.
