10 Questions to Compare Salon EFTPOS Systems

Accepting payments, managing your finances, and paying recipients should be simple. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Our research shows the majority of Australian business owners are dissatisfied with their business banking. The truth is, most merchant services solutions aren’t built to help your business thrive. That’s where Zeller comes in. Today, we’re launching Zeller — giving Australian merchants affordable, accessible, and innovative tools that enable businesses to get paid, access their money, and manage cash flow — without ever having to set foot inside a bank. We’re reimagining business banking through powerful new technology, backed up by local support and personalised service. An innovative SME alternative to business banking “Innovative” isn’t a word usually heard in the context of merchant services. Finding integrated financial solutions to grow and support your business often requires you to weave together multiple products from different providers, which typically means longer processing times, more paperwork, and a more frustrating experience. Large enterprises benefit from financial solutions tailored to their specific needs; traditional banks have shown that they’re more than willing to pour resources into supporting big business. However, this comes at a cost to the everyday Aussies behind our small to medium sized businesses. SME owners are typically forced to fit the traditional banking mold, suffering through archaic onboarding processes only to be hit with high fees, lock-in contracts, and slow processing times when the paperwork is complete. For new business owners, this can present what seems like an insurmountable hurdle to starting and growing a venture. With 67% of businesses stating they would prefer a non-Big 4 bank, it’s clear that Australian business banking is fundamentally broken. A lack of innovation from the incumbents means merchants like you are overlooked and underserved, at a time when they should be thriving. Businesses need new tools, technology, and support to grow. And that’s why we built Zeller. What’s in the box Zeller is all-in-one payments and finance solution for Australian businesses. It helps to accelerate your business cash flow by giving you a next-generation EFTPOS terminal, a free business transaction account, and free business Mastercard, all in one box. 1. Zeller Terminal Our research revealed that 71% of business owners using clunky EFTPOS terminals regularly consider switching providers. High costs and expensive fees, slow deposits that impact cash flow, and a lack of local support are all common reasons for businesses looking to switch. The majority of Australian business owners are dissatisfied with outdated EFTPOS technology currently on the market. Zeller Terminal is an all-in-one card payment and EFTPOS solution. Our next-gen payment terminal allows you to accept every payment from every customer – Zeller Terminal accepts contactless devices, contactless cards, chip cards, magstripe cards, and will soon also accept alternative payment methods such as Alipay and ZipPay. As new payment methods continue to emerge and shape the way Australians pay for products and services, Zeller Terminal will adapt to support Australian businesses to grow. Read more about Zeller Terminal . 2. Zeller Transaction Account We understand that being able to effectively manage and access your cash flow is key to the long-term survival of your business.  That’s why we make sure your funds are available as quickly as possible after taking payment from a customer. Zeller Transaction Account is included free when you sign up for Zeller. Your account is instantly ready to use, giving you real-time visibility over your settlements and spending — no lengthy paperwork required. When you take payment through Zeller Terminal, funds are settled directly into your free Zeller Transaction Account within the day. You also have the option of sweeping your funds into any existing bank account, and they’ll be accessible as soon as your bank allows. Read more about Zeller Transaction Account . 3. Zeller Mastercard By giving you the tools to accept payments, store and settle funds, and spend your money, we're significantly reducing the time it takes for you to get access to your funds. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 60% of small businesses close within their first three years — and the most cited cause for business failure is poor cash flow. As a business owner, fast access to your funds to pay your staff, suppliers, or buy product, is imperative. Read more about Zeller Mastercard . By seamlessly combining these services into a fully integrated solution, Zeller significantly reduces the time businesses spend on finding a merchant services provider, completing lengthy applications, getting set up, and connecting disparate payments and financial services solutions — all while speeding up your business’s cash flow. Watch the video to see how Zeller works in more detail. Your business, your way Merchant services should work the way your business needs, allowing you to pick and choose the business banking products you need to sustain and grow a profitable business. With Zeller, you have the option to choose the parts you need – Zeller Terminal, Zeller Transaction Account, and Zeller Mastercard work just as powerfully together as an integrated solution as they do alongside your existing products. Learn more about our EFTPOS machines and how our newly launched products are changing business banking for the better.

With hundreds of point-of-sale (POS) providers in Australia, selecting the right one can be an overwhelming task. In this article, we outline the key factors to consider when choosing a POS, and recommend some of the best providers for your industry. If you’re a new or existing business owner, by now, you probably know  what a point-of-sale system is and how it works . The next step is choosing a solution that is appropriate to your business size and industry. To help make the right decision, read our list of considerations below and make note of which ones are the most (and least) important to your business, so that when you’re in conversation with a POS provider, you can be well equipped to ask the right questions. Then, learn which POS providers are the most popular among cafes, quick-service restaurants, dine-in restaurants, retail businesses, and bars and clubs. Important considerations when choosing the best POS system for your business. Hardware POS hardware refers to the physical devices that make up your POS system. This could include any or all of: a computer or display unit, a receipt printer, a barcode scanner, a cash drawer, and an EFTPOS machine. While large businesses may require a full suite of hardware, many smaller businesses can get away with little more than a tablet or smartphone. Portable devices like Zeller Terminal 2 (which has a POS system built-in) are often referred to as mobile POS or ‘ mPOS ’, and they provide excellent functionality, allowing merchants to do everything from managing their inventory to taking payments all from the one machine. Software The functionality of the POS software will arguably be the biggest factor in determining your final choice. If you are a retail business, you may want to prioritise a robust inventory management system – this will allow you to easily track stock levels, anticipate when popular items will run out, and stay on budget. For hospitality businesses, a floor management system may also be required to manage table seating and reservations. Additional functionality includes sales reporting, for managing cash flow; employee management, for automatically logging hours and tracking performance; and customer relationship management (CRM), for collecting customer data and implementing targeted marketing campaigns. While these are the most common and basic features of POS systems, those designed for individual industries will offer even more specialised features. Ease of use Think about who will be using the POS system on a day-to-day basis. Do you have a high turnover rate of employees? If so, consider how easy it will be to train new staff to use the software. A simple, intuitive interface will greatly reduce human error, which, in a fast-paced environment, could be critical. Integration For most businesses, their POS provider cannot just work alone, it will need to be able to integrate into a number of different systems. The accounting software,  payments provider , and/or e-commerce platform you use (or are planning to use) should ideally integrate with your POS system. By enabling information to flow easily between systems, you will greatly increase the efficiency of your operations, saving you and your team time and money. Take note of what platforms a POS provider integrates with before making a decision, as this can become a frustrating roadblock later on if it is neglected. Customer support How quickly and easily you can contact your POS provider is something that can be easily overlooked – but it’s extremely important. If you decide to go with a POS system that offers all the bells and whistles, but doesn’t have anyone to pick up the phone when you need help, this will quickly lead to frustration and potentially lost revenue. Check the provider’s website and LinkedIn: are their offices based in Australia? What are their customer service hours? Do they have a robust support centre with help articles and troubleshooting resources? Will you be assigned an account manager? Additionally, how quickly you need to get up and running is an important consideration. Many traditional POS providers require a technician to come out and set up the hardware and software, whereas newer web-based systems are often self-service and can be entirely set up remotely. Multi-location Do you run a multi-location operation or are you planning on scaling in the future? If so, it’s important to be sure that the POS software is equipped to deal with multi-venue requirements. Being able to push updates to machines at several venues at once, aggregating reporting from all venues, and monitoring stock transfers between locations, are just some of the features you’ll want to ensure your POS provider can support. Cost With varying pieces of equipment, features, minimum requirements, and pricing models, understanding exactly how much you’re going to pay for a POS service is not easy. To avoid bill-shock later on, make sure you understand exactly how each aspect of the service is priced. Are you buying the hardware outright or will you access it on a rental agreement? Is the software licence a one-time purchase or a monthly/annual subscription? Is there a cost associated with ongoing support and maintenance? Will you pay a fee each time a transaction is processed through the POS? Ensure you ask any potential POS provider all these questions before signing a contract. Best POS providers by industry The table below presents some of the best POS providers available to Australian business owners, organised by industry, with some of their noteworthy features listed on the right hand side. For a comprehensive list of features, be sure to contact the POS provider directly and request a demo before signing up. Coffee Shops Restaurants QSR Retail Bars and Clubs Salon Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons, toppings, or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, flavour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Developed by a team with decades of hospitality and retail experience Receive funds overnight with secure payments provided by Zeller Ability to enable or disable features as your business requires Focus on simple design and speed Support teams available 24/7 Counter, table, room, pick up or delivery options Free online store Integrates with Zeller Terminal Centrally manages multiple venues Supports orders from iPad, table, kiosk, QR code, food delivery and online for pick-up Loyalty system manages points, discounts, deposits, gift cards, and friend referrals Kitchen display allows you to fine-tune kitchen and chef workflows Automatically sends orders to the correct preparation stations In-built staff management tool to manage shifts and payroll processing Supports digital or physical gift cards created and redeemed directly within ZiiPOS Integrated bookings let customers book directly to the platform Integrates with Zeller Terminal Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Recreates your venue’s table layout with a floor plan Training mode simulates the POS flow without affecting till balances or stock levels Stock batches let staff record delivery of stock, with quantity, weight and temperature Stocktakes can be performed on the POS and sent for review and processing Supports conditional pricing that applies at checkout when conditions are met POS set up can be done either on-site or remotely Client Portal offers free resources and videos for staff training Support teams available 24/7 Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Online and QR code ordering Partners with UberEats, DoorDash, Deliveroo, Menulog, Fantuan, Hungry Panda Interactive kitchen display screen to help streamline kitchen operations Smart inventory management and ingredient control to keep food costs down Order status screen to show customers when their order is ready to be collected Pocket manager mobile app Customer-facing display shows customer's order back to them before payment Centralised multi-site management for tiered pricing, products, menu, surcharging Integrates with Zeller Terminal Hard-wearing kiosks, tablets, terminals, and displays that withstand heavy use Alerts customers when orders are ready for curbside pickup or on way for delivery Helps customers reorder favourite items and tracks purchases to deliver rewards Direct connection to Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Postmates, DoorDash, and others Realtime updates to menu items, ingredients, and prices across multiple locations GPS-enabled web app to automate contactless pickup Self-service kiosk hardware and integration with 3rd-party kiosks Tracks menu profit, down to the ingredient and digital channel Oracle Cloud Marketplace offers a robust ecosystem of integration partners Integrates with Zeller Terminal Loyalty apps and cards, mobile apps, gift cards and in-store messaging Multiple ordering options: web, mobile app, table, kiosks, drive thru, QR code Fixed-Cost delivery, and direct integration with Uber Eats, Doordash, and Menulog Tailored, branded apps offering customers coupons, discounts and online ordering Digital media boards to display messages to your customers in-store Paperless kitchen display and management system to pass orders between stations Drive thru integration Integrates with Netsuite, MYOB and Xero Integrates with Zeller Terminal Customisable interface lets you create branded touchpoints Supports bill splitting with multiple payment options per split Customisable workflow allows you to streamline counter order entry Supports menu modifications to any product or menu flow Supports management and customisation of keypads, and products, including images Integrates with Zeller Terminal Centrally manages multiple venues Supports orders from iPad, table, kiosk, QR code, food delivery and online for pick-up Loyalty system manages points, discounts, deposits, gift cards, and friend referrals Kitchen display allows you to fine-tune kitchen and chef workflows Automatically sends orders to the correct preparation stations In-built staff management tool to manage shifts and payroll processing Supports digital or physical gift cards created and redeemed directly within ZiiPOS Integrated bookings let customers book directly to the platform Integrates with Zeller Terminal Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons, toppings, or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, flavour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Keeps all sales channels in one POS software (in-store, events, pop-up stores, online) Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Web-based point of sale compatible with iPad, PC and Mac Supports attaching notes to orders to keep track of requests and special details Offers lay-by option and ‘on account’ sales Social media links are included on email receipts to engage customers Printed and emailed receipts can feature custom messages Transaction logs help measure team’s performance Syncs with business systems like Xero, MailChimp and Magento Integrates with Zeller Terminal Jewellery specific point of sale and inventory management software Offers inventory trends and compares performance against 400+ Edge users eInvoicing tool included Job tracking for repairs, special orders, and custom jobs Reporting on daily operations, marketing effectiveness, inventory performance Customer relationship management system to build customer loyalty Integrates with Zeller Terminal ‘Google like’ predictive product search with cross-sell/upsell recommendations Customer profiles show previous purchases, store credits, vouchers and loyalty info Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages One single report for supplier Buy Price, COGS, RRP, POS Price and Promo Price Compatible with PC, iPad and Mac devices Home delivery, inter-store transfers, warehouse pickup, supplier orders, pre-orders Flexible payment options such as Buy Now – Pay Later, lay-bys, and accounts sales Segments customer profiles to run exclusive promotions for specific groups Loyalty programs with minimum spend, points expiry dates and bonus multipliers Customisable email templates sent from POS such as click-and-collect alerts Supports generation of quotes, A4 invoices, and other related documents at the POS Integrates with Zeller Terminal Originally created for the fast-paced Melbourne bar scene Designed to work online or offline in unexpected outages Support teams available 24/7 Supports the creation of floor maps to monitor the status of tables Plugs into online bookings and allows you to add reservation notes Employee hour monitoring Generates stock variance reports and automates orders based on stock thresholds Membership and loyalty system designed for the hospitality industry Integrates with Zeller Terminal Developed by a team with decades of hospitality and retail experience Receive funds overnight with secure payments provided by Zeller Ability to enable or disable features as your business requires Focus on simple design and speed Support teams available 24/7 Counter, table, room, pick up or delivery options Free online store Integrates with Zeller Terminal Add and manage items via Zeller Dashboard or directly on Zeller Terminal 2. Bulk import an item library from a previous POS. Update item descriptions, images, prices, categories, and generate automatic SKUs. Customise items with modifiers such as add-ons or special requests. Create product variants such as size, colour, or style. Customise grid to quickly access frequently used items, discounts, or categories. Instantly push product updates to entire fleet of terminals across multiple locations. Offer customers an itemised receipt via email, SMS, or QR code. Create and manage discounts and add descriptions for greater clarity. Understand what you are selling and when with detailed reports (coming soon). POS is automatically installed on Zeller Terminal 2, with no monthly or additional fees. Tailored POS for wellness and beauty businesses only Integrated self-service booking system for clients and owners Inventory and supplier order management Management of multiple venues from a single account Points-based loyalty program for client retention Detailed sales, client, and appointment reports Create an online profile for salon visibility under marketplace Support via email and extensive how-to guides Offers additional paid features for enhanced functionality Customisable online and app-based booking system Integrated POS for sales, transactions, and scheduling Various tools for detailed client profiles and preferences Comprehensive reporting on sales, inventory, and staff performance Staff management with dashboards, timesheets, and rosters Loyalty programs to retain clients Support is available through app and online resources Integrates with various tools and software add-ons Let Zeller manage your payments. No matter how you prefer to manage your checkout process, Zeller is Australia’s leading payments provider, tailored to meet your business needs. For smaller or mobile businesses with a limited inventory, Zeller offers Zeller POS Lite, built into Zeller Terminal 2 at no extra cost. Larger, more established businesses can benefit from Zeller Terminal’s seamless integration with over 600 different POS platforms. Whether you’re looking for a simple, cost-effective mobile solution or a fully integrated EFTPOS machine with advanced features like tipping, bill-splitting, and custom screensavers, Zeller’s platform is designed to evolve with your business. Chat with our sales team today to set up Zeller POS Lite, or explore our Zeller Partner Hub to find the perfect POS integration for your business. POS software without the price tag. With one low flat transaction fee of 1.4%, no monthly subscription fees or lock-in contracts, Zeller Terminal 2 is Australia’s most affordable all-in-one POS and payments solution. Learn more

Keep safe while strengthening customer relationships. Life without lockdown is on the horizon, yet exposure sites and community transmissions are still a common occurrence. In beauty salons, spas and other wellbeing services, firsthand contact with customers will be hard to minimise. However, there are a number of practices in place to make your customers more comfortable and keep your staff (and your business) safe. Keep reading to discover six ways you can make your salon a safer place to visit moving forward — and provide a better customer experience, at the same time. 1. Help your customers prepare for their appointment Social distancing is likely to be encouraged, and indeed appreciated, for some time. Your customers will expect to be able to keep a reasonable distance away from others, if they wish to do so. One of the highest density spaces in service businesses is the reception area or waiting room. To minimise the time your clients and customers spend in a confined space together, try to decrease the opportunity for lingering and extended social conversations. While this may appear detrimental to your customer relationships, there are other ways to strengthen connections. You could start by sending an email or SMS prior to their appointment, outlining the importance of minimising contact, and explain the changes are for their own safety. Also take the opportunity to outline any new processes they can expect to encounter during their appointment. For example, if you’re a nail technician, your reminder yexy message might also tell a customer where to check in for their appointment before taking a seat, and advise them of the new perspex shields you have erected to keep your staff safe. This will help better prepare customers for their appointment, and ensure they feel confident that they’re in the safest hands possible. 2. Speed up the check-in process Pre-appointment communications are also a good way to collect any important information, signatures or consent that the customer would otherwise have to supply on the day, thereby speeding up the check-in process. It will also smooth out manual operations for your business, improving overall efficiency and ensuring appointments stick to schedule. Another post-COVID addition to the check-in process is in-app check-ins, which in some states are mandated by the government. Each state has their own app, such as the Service Victoria app, that allows customers and visitors to effortlessly check in to locations from their phone, providing your business and the government with the details to trace and notify contacts should transmission occur. In instances where people don’t have a mobile phone, it’s critical that you also have a manual check-in sheet. 3. Keep a clean and inviting reception area It goes without saying that keeping your space clean and hygienic is imperative, not just for your clients but for your staff as well. A tidy reception desk also leaves a powerful first impression that says you prioritise the health and safety of those who interact with your business, and you take health and safety measures seriously. Similarly, it’s important that those workers who occupy the reception area (and all other areas) demonstrate the appropriate protocols, instilling confidence in your clients and customers that they are in safe and responsible hands. This means wearing masks appropriately, social distancing, and sanitising hands regularly. It’s just as important to put careful consideration into the hardware at your front desk. A cordless, elegant, and hands-free solution like the Zeller Terminal will keep your space clutter-free. That said, you should balance these health and safety measures with touches that make your space feel calm and relaxing. Fresh flowers, beautiful scents, uplifting art, and soft music can all play a part in shaping a soothing space. Some businesses even choose to place signage reminding customers of the fines that both parties face, should the customer decide not to check in. 4. Rethink your waiting area As much as you urge your customers to come as close to their appointment time as possible in your email, chances are your waiting area will still be a high-traffic space. In order to make people feel safe, swap out any furniture that encourages close contact — such as couches — with spaced-out chairs that give people the options to sit as close or as far as they like from others. If you have waiting room treats, such as hot beverages and biscuits, make sure you minimise contact between visitors by ensuring food is pre-packaged and drinks are made fresh. That way you can still add a special touch to your service without compromising health or safety. 5. Speed up the payment and checkout process The most effective way to speed up the pace at which your clients pay for their services and leave your counter is to adopt a seamless payment process. These days, almost every EFTPOS terminal accepts contactless payments — but there are other benefits that only the right machine will provide. Digital receipts are another way to minimise contact between staff and customers, as well as reduce paper wastage. With Zeller Terminal, it’s as simple as tapping Email receipt or Text receipt at the end of the transaction. Zeller Terminal can even include a tipping prompt during the transaction, enabling customers to show their appreciation without handling physical cash. 6. Ensure the right number of staff are on hand It’s important to brief your staff on efficiency, particularly in light of the pandemic; facilitating swift arrivals, check-ins and payments is critical to avoiding a customer bottleneck. Ensure you have the optimum number of staff rostered on – enough to prevent lines forming, but not too many to make customers feel overwhelmed and risk breaching capacity restrictions. Unfortunately, COVD has meant a number of customer experiences have had to adapt to new health and safety regulations — but this doesn’t mean you can’t still make them feel special. Instead, it means it is imperative you make them feel safe. Now that you know how to make your service business more COVID-safe, it’s time to prepare your business for life after lockdown. Sign up to our Business Blog to receive our fortnightly newsletter with more helpful articles to help your business succeed.