Local retailers know the importance of Google. After all, the dominant search engine is the first place potential customers turn when they’re looking to buy an appliance or find a new lunch spot.
As a result, business owners need to constantly update their public-facing profiles and ads, which can take up valuable time when you’re also managing a store.
With the reveal of its new Google integrations, Lightspeed POS is helping its retailers further streamline their relationship with Google, from running local ads to updating their Google My Business account.
The New Integrations
Don’t have a Google Ads account? It’s easily the best advertising service to dabble in if you’re hoping to drum up local business, and if you’re launching a new Google Ads account, you’re also eligible for up to $150 in ad credits as a one-time offer.
Plus, you’ll get these Lightspeed benefits: three new Google-centric updates.
Google Local Inventory Ads
This feature pairs up retailers on Lightspeed with local customers in their area, via Google-powered local inventory ads, now available directly within the POS interface for the first time.
Once shoppers see the ads, they’ll be alerted as to what products are in stock, and they’ll be that much more likely to opt for a physical excursion rather than trawling Amazon for deliveries. It’s a mutually beneficial update, as not only will customers get a better idea of what’s for sale locally, but shop owners won’t need to swap between their Google account and their Lightspeed one in order to keep their ads fresh.
Google Smart Shopping Campaigns
A Smart Shopping campaign makes retailers’ products available across all participating Google properties — websites and apps, desktop and mobile. Those cross-platform capacities are the core benefit to this approach, as customers might search for similar products through a variety of channels, and won’t necessarily spring for a purchase the first chance they get.
This update is still on the way — Lightspeed says it’ll arrive “in the coming months,” while the other two updates are available now for retail POS users.
Google My Business
Another Google offering that’s now integrated within the Lightspeed interface for the first time: Google My Business. Lightspeed users can now sign up for and manage their professional listing straight from Lightspeed’s commerce platform.
Google My Business launched in 2011 to provide a free and easy way for business owners to ensure their essential information (think location and business hours) has been made available for potential customers searching Google. It’s a mutually beneficial program, as Google wants to ensure it stays helpful by providing customers with the information they want.
With the Lightspeed integration, retailers can quickly update everything from their COVID-19 safety protocols to their holiday store hours, all without leaving the Lightspeed dashboard.
Is Lightspeed for you?
The Lightspeed Point of Sale system is a solid option, particularly for certain types of businesses. It’s a great fit for retail operations with large inventories of barcoded items, like jewelry, clothing, furniture, or pet supplies.
It’s not the only option, though — we’ve ranked Vend POS and Square POS as our top picks when it comes to retail POS systems specifically. Granted, these new Google integrations are definitely a nice perk that Lightspeed has going in its favor.
If Lightspeed isn’t a fit for your needs, you’ll have to check out your other POS options. We do offer comparison tools to help you save some time: Try this one for restaurant-specific POS systems and this one for retail-oriented options.
Or, just skim through the differentiating factors to consider with this quick comparison table:
| Tech.co rating for retail Score out of 5 for general retail suitability based on Tech.co's independent market research. | Best Retail POS for Tech.co's verdict to help you identify the most suitable choice for your retail business | Price from The typical lowest starting price. The lowest price available for your business will depend on your needs. | Hardware | iPad app Is there a version of the software made specifically for iPad use? | Android app Is there a version of the software made specifically for Android tablet use? | 24/7 support | Get started | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST RETAIL POS  | BEST FREE POS  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Vend POS | Square POS | Talech POS | Revel POS | Erply POS | |||||
| 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 | |
| Best to track and train employees | Best for small retail stores and pop-ups | Best small business growth features | Best for CRM tools | Best for small franchises | Best for omnichannel sellers | Best for established retail stores | Best for omnichannel sellers | Best for omnichannel sellers | |
| Free (but transaction fees apply) | $29/user/month | Free (without inventory) | $0 + $14.95 (virtual terminal) | $299 upfront (+$39/month) | |||||
| Works with a range of of third-party periperals. | Sold by Square, separately or bundled. Works with most leading brands and has a great free trial. | Available through third-party vendors. | Offers a preconfigured POS terminal with an iPad and tablet stand, a router, a printer, and a cash drawer. | Works with loads of hardware options | Sold by Shopify, but also works with iPads and Android tablets. | Sells everything from full cash stations to mobile card readers. | Works with a range of of third-party periperals. | Specialized hardware available. Not compatible with weighing scales. | |
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| Compare prices | Try Square | Compare prices | Compare prices | Compare prices | Compare Prices | Compare Prices | Compare prices | Visit Lightspeed |
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