POS Mobile App Change Requests (ATTN DEVELOPERS)

[Dave_G]

POS Mobile App change requests:

I am suggesting the following changes to the mobile POS app to improve its usability.

(1) Add option to RENAME menu blocks. In the example (BELOW) I wanted to add a button to display ALL PRODUCTS. The only option I saw that would to this was to add "HOME PAGE". I would like to rename this "PRODUCTS" or "ALL PRODUCTS". [ALTERNATE SOLUTION: Add option to add a collection containing ALL products.]

(2) List view format consistency. There are at least three ways to list products ... adding "Home Page" to the front menu, Products, and Collections.  Two of the lists share similar formats, one is different. Only one of the lists allow searching and sorting. Make all list views share the SAME LAYOUT. Include SEARCH and SORTING OPTIONS to all lists. Create additional SORTING OPTIONS (by PRODUCT TYPE, CUSTOM TYPE, VARIANT SIZE, VARIANT PRICE, etc.).

(3) List view readability, and scan-ability improvements. I have trouble quickly scanning a list to find a product. You can see in the list view (BELOW LEFT) that there is limited information displayed. The titles are truncated and key information is not displayed. The VIEW DETAILS button takes up almost half the usable area. I sell art prints. The key information that is important to me includes TITLE, CUSTOM PRODUCT TYPE, VARIANT SIZE, AND VARIANT PRICE. I would like the list items to show all this information (SEE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF IMAGE BELOW). This would allow easy, rapid scanning to find the product I am interested in. EXTEND the TITLE field to span the FULL WIDTH of the row. Make the display of information CUSTOMIZABLE to account to for different users' products and needs.

(4) List view UNEXPECTED behavior. Include TWO BUTTONS that are clearly identified as "ADD TO CART" and "VIEW DETAILS". The current behavior causes items to be added to the cart BY MISTAKE simply because I click the item. When I click an item, I expect to be taken to the DETAILS page for that item. I am not always aware that items are being added to the list. (SEE LOWER LEFT CORNER OF IMAGE BELOW)

(5) More useful DETAILS view that is CUSTOMIZABLE. The current DETAILS view makes it difficult for me to find the information I need most.  It shows items that I never use and does not include items that are essential to me. Allow CUSTOMIZATION of the DETAILS view.  In the example (BELOW RIGHT) I show the information that I find essential, in order of importance. The "ADD" button is at the TOP. Then the IMAGE(s). Followed by a HEADER that includes the artwork TITLE, PRODUCT CUSTOM TYPE, and SIZE. Then comes PRICE, TYPE, SIZE, and description in their own sections. I do not use several of the items that are currently listed in the App such as INVENTORY, ORGANIZATION, SKU, or BARCODE. I suggest making this list USER CUSTOMIZABLE to account for what is important to individual users. Also, honor carriage returns in DESCRIPTION text so that the information does not run together.

[Imogen]

Hey there, @Dave_G. Thanks a bunch for coming to the Shopify Community with this information. 

First, thanks so much for providing us such detailed feedback on the Shopify POS Mobile app! It's not often we get feedback that is so detailed, and we really appreciate it when folks go above and beyond to provide us information about what their painpoints are with our product offerings. 

I'm happy to let you know that I've made sure that the appropriate folks are aware of your thread here, to ensure that they see your feedback and examples. Though I can't comment on what a timeline looks like for implementing some of these requests, you can feel confident in know that the team sees all of what you've provided us here, and will investigate the potential processes behind adding them in the future. 

You can feel free to follow up with us again here if you have any additional feedback that you'd like to pass along to the team. Thanks again! 

[Dave_G]

Thank you, @Imogen. I appreciate your comments.

UPDATES:

Item #1: I have since discovered how to change the name on the menu block I created. The "HOME PAGE" block is actually a COLLECTION of all products. Using the DESKTOP Shopify ADMIN, I went to PRODUCTS > COLLECTIONS and selected HOME PAGE. In the next screen, I was able to rename the collection to "ALL PRODUCTS". The new name was then reflected in the mobile POS app.

NOTE that on the mobile POS app, the name is truncated to "ALL PRODU...". It would be good if the label would wrap within the menu block instead of truncating. There is plenty of room to do so.

Item #4: CORRECTION

(4) List view UNEXPECTED behavior. Include TWO BUTTONS that are clearly identified as "ADD TO CART" and "VIEW DETAILS". The current behavior causes items to be added to the cart BY MISTAKE simply because I click the item. When I click an item, I expect to be taken to the DETAILS page for that item. I am not always aware that items are being added to the list CART.

[Imogen]

Hey there, @Dave_G!

Thanks for the edits and updates here on your original post. Our POS Team still has their eyes on this thread, so they'll be sure to see the updates you've made! 

Once again, feel free to update us again here with any additional feedback in the future! 

[Dave_G]

UPDATE:

The new version of the POS app crops product images when in "expanded image" view, meaning when the image is tapped in the product details screen. It should display the full uncropped image. See image below.

 

[Imogen]

Hey again, @Dave_G. Thanks for follow up once more with us! 

Was the previous version of POS also cropping images like this? Or did you notice that this was occurring only after the latest update? I agree that clicking 'expanded image view' should show the entire image without cropping anything out, so if this isn't happening currently, it's definitely something good for us to be aware of. 

In this situation, I actually feel that it may be worthwhile for you to reach out directly to the Retail Support Team u... If this is a recent occurance for you, then it would be helpful for you to tell the team directly so they can look into whether or not this should be occurring. 

Beyond these things you've been noticing with the POS app, how have you been finding Shopify? Are you using it exclusively for POS sales, or do you have an online store, too? Based on your images, it looks like you offer some metal prints and that's a market that's growing pretty quickly these days! I'd love to hear more about your business, and even take a look at your store! 

As always, feel free to follow up with us here with any additional feedback for the team. 

[Dave_G]

Thanks for your response, @Imogen .

I've just contacted the Retail Support Team, as you suggested. Thanks for that link. I let them know about the image cropping issue, and I pointed them to this discussion thread for the rest of my suggestions.

I honestly don't recall if the image cropping problem was occurring prior to the latest mobile app update.

> Beyond these things you've noticing with the POS app, how have you been finding Shopify? Are you using it exclusively for POS sales, or do you have an online store, too? 

Thanks for asking about my experience with Shopify. I am on the LITE plan and use its POS channel and the BUY BUTTON sales channel. I chose the LITE plan because I already have an established website with a recognizable branding style. The BUY BUTTON has allowed me to convert part of my own website into a modern and trusted online store. Prior to using Shopify, I had to rely upon customers contacting me if they were interested in a sale. At the moment, my sales volume is low enough that I can easily handle a low number of sales inquiries. But, when orders become more frequent, the BUY BUTTON eliminates a potential road block for my customers, especially those who may be shy about contacting me.

As for the POS app, I sell in person at art shows across the country (US). I had been using a payment app to make in-person sales. I haven't yet participated in any shows since setting up Shopify. But, when I do, I anticipate that the POS app will make those transactions easier and the sales tracking more useful to me.

One quirk, if you will, about the POS app that I haven't yet gotten used to is that it seems very focused on the customer information, putting it before the product and the sale. I find myself wanting to FIRST add products to the cart, then go through the payment transaction, and LAST offer the customer an option to provide an email of phone number for a receipt. That's how I expect things to go when I am the customer buying things. If the item is to be shipped, then similarly, I would expect the shipping address information to come as the final step in the process. The POS app seems to want the customer to tell me who they are before I start the sales transaction. That would put me off a bit as a customer. Remember when Radio Shack would ask you for your zip code when you walked up to the counter to buy batteries? The POS app is kind of like that.

[Dave_G]

@Imogen> I'd love to hear more about your business, and even take a look at your store! 

Thanks for showing your interest in my business.

I am an artist creating space inspired artwork. I sell high quality prints (metal, acrylic, giclées) and limited editions. I'd say my work stands apart from other space art one might have typically seen. I like to send messages with my images, juxtaposing fact and fantasy along with a little bit of humor. My hope is to inspire my viewers while making them think about where we all fit into the bigger picture.

Shameless plugs:

Web: pixel-planet-pictures.com

Instagram: @pixelplanetpics

Twitter: @pixelplanetpics

[Imogen]

Hey again, @Dave_G!

Super stoked to hear you reached out to the Retail Team with this photo situation. Good idea to direct them to this thread, too, just so they're in even further aware of the feedback you've provided. 

You're pretty much the perfect example of a Shopify Lite Plan user. I love it! You sound like a meticulous planner, and honestly that's going to take you far as an operator of a business. The fact you're pre-planning your transition to Shopify POS for in-person sales showcases a pretty amazing dedication to the keeping up the quality of your customer care come transition time. My sister-in-law runs her own art business, too, though not in the same niche. She works in markets all across Western Canada/US and is making the transition to Shopify POS in the future, too, once their online store sales start increasing to match interest from conventions. 

I haven't heard 'RadioShack' in a long time! Used to be something I visited as a kid with my parents on the weekends! I believe Shopify POS is so info heavy at the start because it wants to help you get customers to build 'accounts' with your business. Not so much 'money' accounts, but 'accounts' that allow you to follow up with these customers in the future. If you collect emails, you may be able to send emails on future events you're attending, or promotions, or deals. Considering that you've been operating some time however with just the LITE plan with an independant site, you've likely already found a way to really get info out to your customers.

Your works are honestly great. When I blew up even that cropped image in your prior post I was really taken aback but what you've created. I think you're really achieving your goals, and that's amazing. Considering that I see so many businesses in the run of a day, I truly think you've got something special. 

To lean on what I said above, what have you been doing for your marketing? Do you market much currently? My thought here is that I think you could probably benefit from doing some marketing on viral social media platforms like TikTok. I can just invision small video clips of you creating your pieces and people just being amazing by the process and the final results. I have a resource here if you want to investigate this a bit. I honestly tell my sister in law to do this all of the time but she'd rather watch TikToks than make them. 

As always, keep that feedback coming! We'll always be here to chat or support you if needed. That goes for feedback on your business, too. Talking about marketing plans and conversions are some of our favourite things, so reach out if you're interested in diving deeper!

[Dave_G]

Thanks for your encouraging words and positive reaction to my artwork @Imogen. It's always nice when people show an interest.

To answer your question about how I market my work, currently I'm using Twitter and Instagram for social media awareness. Thanks for the Tik Tok info. I'm afraid that's likely not a place my target audience hangs out. Facebook is probably the next social media site I will try. FB should allow me to zero in on some specific interest groups that align with my space-related artwork.

I also flash my phone case around as much as I can. 🙂 That may sound like I'm joking, but my Saturn V artwork on my case actually led to a sale recently.

Beyond those avenues, I think the next step for me might be into email marketing and/or a vlog. I just have to think of some consistently interesting things to say. Simple, right? 🙂

[Imogen]

Hey again, @Dave_G!

Totally understand your reasoning for not going with TikTok for advertising. There is data out there suggesting that TikTok is taking up a large portion of the social media marketing space and it's leeching some of that space off of other platforms, so I recommend looking at it in the future once you get your marketing going on Facebook. Having your brand out there on as many platforms as possible doesn't hurt anything, other than your daily time allowance to not be focused on the business, right? 😅

Facebook marketing is a great idea if you aren't on there yet. You can actually target specific audiences with the Facebook Ads platform and when doing so, a little investment in advertising can go a long way. A coworker of mine operates a few different businesses and uses Facebook Ads for their marketing. They usualy throw in 1k a month for ad spend and it helps convert things for them pretty well! I have a beginners guide on Facebook Marketing here if you want to get some tips on getting started!

In terms of vlogging, we don't have a huge amount of Shopify resources on that topic. I did find this resource here from a third party that has some tips and tricks on getting a vlog started, and converting it into cash flow. I find that some of the best vlogs are just folks talking about thing they're interested in. If you're passionate about your topics, then your passionate consumers will find their way to you. You could even do some vlogs dubbed over footage of you creating some art!

When it comes to email marketing, Shopify has a bit more in terms of resources we can share with you on this! Shopify does have it's own emailing system, but our resources on the topic are pretty great with other systems, too! I have a blog here that goes over some email marketing strategies you can try out! Once you find something that works, you can continue to tweak that template to continue the success you've seen. 

As always, if you ever have additional questions for me, or want some additional feedback, feel free to reach back out!

[Dave_G]

Thanks for the resource links, @Imogen. I will certainly check them out.

[Imogen]

Anytime, @Dave_G! It's what I'm here for!

I sound like a broken record now, but if you have any additional feedback for us, or want to chat more about your business, just follow up here and I'll be available to chat! 

[Dave_G]

Bumping this post. Has there been any progress on these POS mobile app change requests?

[Imogen]

Hey there, @Dave_G! Long time no chat!

My feature request that I submitted hasn't been updated (we usually receive little emails internally when a requested feature/improvement has been implemented) so I'd wager that your suggestions have yet to be implement. The Devs are aware of the thread, however, and have more than likely read through the suggestions and discussed them with their team. As I'm not a part of the Product Team, I don't want to speak for them and put words in their mouths - but they're likely working on further improvements as we speak. 

If you wanted to keep an eye on POS app updates, you can bookmark our Shopify Changelog and refer to it occasionally. This is where we post any major updates to our product offerings, including the POS app. 

Another thing I do when looking for updates for apps I use/plan on using is visit the app page in the appropriate app store and look for updates there. I did so for the POS App and saw that we announced a minor update there. Other minor updates would be announced there, too. There also appears to be a support number at the bottom of the app description which gets you in direct contact with the POS and Retail Folks. That could be a helpful number for you to have if you're looking for future follow ups! 

[Dave_G]

Thanks for the suggestions and links. Consider them bookmarked.

I just checked the POS app on my phone and it does appear that the devs are making updates. I see that they have implemented a couple of the minor changes I suggested. Looking forward to seeing more.

[Imogen]

Hey again, @Dave_G!

No worries on the changelog suggestion - it's actually a really useful page to have bookmarked, just as it allowed you to be well informed on all major product releases. Like POS Go, which was announced today!

Happy to hear that the Devs seemed to action some of your suggestions! This is a really good example of why feedback is important to help us build bigger and better products. If you come across any other feedback you'd like to pass along, just reply here and let us know.