We love cloud-based accounting systems, but we also know that every industry and every individual business has different needs when it comes to back-office functions. Accounting apps are far from a one-size-fits-all approach. A clothing boutique will have very different needs than a brewery, for example. product-based businesses may require an inventory system, built-in marketing, and multiple point-of-sale options. Square and Shopify are our top two cloud-based accounting apps for product-based businesses based on their features, ease of use, efficiency, and smooth integration with Xero’s central hub.
Shopify
With Shopify, ecommerce and product-based businesses can use one platform to sell products to anyone, anywhere—in person with point of sale, and online through your website, social media, and online marketplaces. Shopify provides you with the insights you need to grow. A single dashboard allows you to manage orders, shipping, and payments along with helping you to create, execute, and analyze digital marketing campaigns.
Shopify offers resources to help you market your products with ther built-in blog feature, email marketing, social media ads, and SEO tool. The marketing dashboard takes the guesswork out of campaigns by giving you insights into what efforts are working from start to finish. You can simply set a budget and let Google’s technology run strategic campaigns for you or utilize one of the pre-made email campaign designs.
You can also manage the entire customer purchase journey inside of Shopify. Business owners have the ability to take orders from anywhere, including over 175 countries, and also manage payments and shipping all from the app. Already have a website? You can continue to use your website while integrating Shopify’s buy button, which allows business owners to embed their products, a shopping cart, and brand customization. These features hearken back to Shopify’s founding mission of enabling the transformation of any website into an online store.
Square
Whether you’re online, in-store, or both, Square’s dashboard puts all your business data in one place. Square is more than just the point-of-sale hardware we have all come to know. From real-time reports to customer contacts, you have everything at your fingertips to make informed business decisions and plan for the future with solid financial data. Sell your products in person, on the go, or even through social media. Meeting your customers where they shop is essential for growth and customer retention.
Square offers a built-in messaging system, which allows you to easily communicate with customers as needed. Business owners can message customers of upcoming sales, order status, scheduling, feedback requests, and so much more. Square eliminates the need to switch back and forth between applications, and seamlessly integrates with hundreds of third-party technologies. You can also create a digital loyalty program that will turn walk-ins to repeat customers.
Not only can you connect with clients throughout the entire purchase journey, but Square also connects you to your employees. Get full-service payroll, automated tax filings, and employee benefits all in one place. Square automates the payroll process, offering further efficiencies that keep you focused on running your business.
If you’re ready to get your back office organized and enhance your customer’s purchase journey, it may be time to look into one of these time saving apps. Not sure which is best for your business? Contact one of our experts to go over the features of the apps and needs of your business. We can help you determine how Shopify, Square, or another app can be integrated with your current process. We are here to offer clients the best of both worlds—modern accounting software and practices combined with an old-fashioned dedication to client service.