7 Ways Tablets Will Revolutionize Your Small Business

4. Social Media Engagement

   Several leading clothing retailers have already incorporated tablets into the shopping experience by allowing customers to “try on” different looks digitally and even take “selfie” photos to be shared via social media for feedback. These activities increase customer dwell time, promote the store’s products, and increase brand recognition.

5. Inventory Management

   By integrating sales and inventory, real-time information can be transmitted at every sale, and if the ordering process is automated, can be ordered whenever an item leaves the shelf.

   Not only does this keep the right products in the store, it instantly allows management to track trends, schedule sales promotions, and monitor shrinkage, down to individual items. When inventory and pricing is easily accessible on a tablet, it becomes easier to instantly adjust prices throughout each department or the entire store, unlike businesses that rely on labels and price guns.

6. Small Footprint Signage

   In any retail establishment, space is always at a premium, and dedicated mounted tablets can take the place of larger, bulkier traditional paper signage. As a practical concern, the information on these mounted tablets can be changed much faster and easier than paper signage, as well. The touchscreens mean that when customers want more information, it is already at their fingertips.

7. Point of Sale

   In specialty stores and independent retailers, tablets are most commonly used as POS devices, often completely replacing cash registers as a checkout location. This works equally well in the larger stores with multiple departments and in smaller boutique stores.

   In addition, an iPad POS device that can enhance employee training, because during slow times, information about the business’s products is always readily available for review. Because the POS tablets can be wirelessly connected to both the entire inventory and the customer database, customer satisfaction can be increased by suggesting additional purchases that complement the customer’s primary purchase.

These are just a few of the more common ways tablets are being put to use by business owners and with continued advancements in cloud-based data storage, better connectivity, faster data speeds, and customized applications, tablets will only continue to become even more essential as time goes by.

This article has been edited and condensed.

Simon Crompton is an entrepreneur running several online businesses. Currently focusing on his marketing firm, Threecolors.blue, he is also a trained journalist sharing his knowledge via several internet blogs. In his spare time he’s an avid programmer and videographer. Connect with @PermanentStle on Twitter.