Online Store and Point-of-Sale System with a Shared Inventory
If you sell both online and in-store, the classic challenge is: how do you keep inventory accurate across both channels? A point-of-sale system from a third-party provider typically requires a separate integration with your online store, and even then, synchronization can be unreliable. An online store with a Shoporama POS system eliminates this problem entirely: inventory is managed in a single database, so sales made at the POS update the online store instantly—and vice versa.
Shoporama’s POS is web-based. You log in via a browser on a tablet, phone, or desktop, and you have access to the same product catalog and inventory as your online store. It works well for pop-up shops, market stalls, showrooms, and smaller brick-and-mortar stores where the primary business is conducted online.
How the POS Works
The POS is built on top of Shoporama’s existing API and uses your admin account for authentication.
- Open a browser on your device (iPad, phone, computer) and log in
- Search for a product by name or scan a barcode
- The product is added to the cart with the selected quantity
- Repeat until your entire purchase is complete
- Click "Checkout," and the order is created in Shoporama immediately
- Inventory is updated automatically, and the receipt opens in a modal window, ready to print
The payment itself is handled separately (e.g., via a mobile card reader such as SumUp or iZettle), and you mark the order as paid in the POS once the card payment is complete.
What do you get as a store owner?
- Shared inventory with the online store. If an item is sold in the store, the online store is updated immediately. If an item is sold on the online store, the store can no longer sell it. No double-entry bookkeeping, no oversold items.
- Shared product database. You create products in one place (Shoporama Admin) and use them both online and in-store. Price changes take effect everywhere immediately.
- Barcode scanning. The POS supports USB and Bluetooth barcode scanners. Scan a barcode, and the product is added directly to the cart.
- Receipts via email or print. Receipts can be printed directly from the browser or sent as an order confirmation via email.
- Customer association. You can link an order to an existing customer in Shoporama, so sales history is consolidated in one place and loyalty points can be redeemed.
- No software installation. The POS runs in a browser. You don’t need to install apps, drivers, or software.
- Same statistics as the online store. Sales from the POS appear in your statistics alongside online store sales. You can view total revenue across all channels.
How to Get Started
- Log in to your Shoporama admin and navigate to the POS module
- Open the POS on the device you want to use in the store (iPad, smartphone, or PC)
- Connect a barcode scanner via USB or Bluetooth, if you have one
- Connect a printer (standard or thermal) if you want to print physical receipts
- Test by placing a test order for an existing item
The entire setup takes 15 to 30 minutes. Need help? Email support@shoporama.dk, and we’ll assist you.
Also read about the POS module in Shoporama for a complete overview of the feature and how it fits into the rest of the platform.
What You Need to Know
Shoporama’s POS is designed specifically for hybrid and online-first stores. It is not a full-featured retail point-of-sale system. Here’s what you need to know before you get started:
- No direct card reader integration. The POS doesn’t have a built-in card reader driver. You create the order and process the payment via a separate device (iZettle mobile, SumUp, Stripe Reader, or similar). This works fine for most smaller stores but requires a small manual step.
- No cash drawer driver. If you need to open a cash drawer automatically upon cash payment, this isn’t supported out of the box.
- No offline mode. The POS requires an internet connection. If you’re selling from a location with poor coverage (such as a market stall at a local farmers’ market), this can be a challenge. Mobile internet via 4G/5G typically works fine.
- No dedicated POS user management. Each POS user logs in with a regular Shoporama admin account, not a separate cashier account. If you have many employees with limited permissions, you’ll need to set up separate admin accounts.
- No traditional end-of-day closing. The POS does not have an “end-of-day” function like hardware cash registers. Instead, you use Shoporama’s standard reporting and statistics to reconcile.
- Browser printing, not driver printing. Receipts are printed via the browser, not via a POS printer driver. This works fine for most printers, but not all exotic thermal printers have been tested.
Who is it best for?
Shoporama’s POS is ideal if you have:
- A market stall where you sell once a week or once a month
- A pop-up shop for temporary sales or events
- A showroom where you primarily sell online but also welcome in-person visitors
- A small store with moderate sales volume that primarily operates online
- Hybrid stores where you want a single, unified inventory and a customer database across all channels
If, on the other hand, you run a busy retail environment with high sales volume, many cashiers, hardware integration with payment terminals, and end-of-day closing requirements, a dedicated POS system from, for example, Lightspeed, Vend, or iZettle would be a better fit. You can still integrate your online store with the POS system via third-party integrations, but you won’t get the completely seamless synchronization that Shoporama’s POS provides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Stores with Cash Registers
How much does Shoporama’s POS cost?
The POS module is included in your Shoporama agreement. You don’t pay extra to use it, and there are no per-transaction fees from Shoporama. You only pay the gateway fees that apply when you accept card payments through your separate card reader.
How many devices can I use the POS on at the same time?
There is no upper limit on the number of devices. You can have the POS open on multiple devices at the same time (e.g., tablet + phone) and make sales from all of them simultaneously. Inventory is synchronized across all devices.
Can I change the price of an item in the POS?
Yes. You can change the price and discount at the line item level directly in the cart before finalizing the order. This is useful for negotiations, total price calculations, and special offers.
Can I offer gift cards in the POS?
Yes. If you sell gift cards in your online store, you can also sell them in the POS. Redeeming them works the same way as in the online store.
What happens if an item is out of stock in the middle of a sale?
The POS will alert you if you try to sell an item that has just been sold from the online store. You can choose to continue (oversell) or cancel the line item.
Can I process returns through the POS?
Yes. You locate the original order, create a credit memo, and inventory is updated automatically. The money is refunded via the same channel through which it was originally received.
Do I need a specific barcode scanner?
No. Most USB and Bluetooth scanners function as keyboard emulators, so they work directly with the POS without any special setup. We recommend a simple USB scanner costing less than 500 kr.
Can I print on a thermal printer?
Yes, if the printer is installed in the operating system and available as a browser printer. Most 80mm USB thermal printers work. However, we do not have an official test list, so test your specific model before making a purchase.
How are cash payments handled?
You mark the order as paid in cash in the POS. You handle the cash yourself in a cash drawer outside the system. This gives you flexibility but requires a bit more discipline when it comes to reconciling accounts.
Can I integrate with an accounting system?
Yes. If you have e-conomic or Dinero integrated, all orders (both from the online store and the POS) are automatically entered into the accounting system in the same way.
Ready to merge your physical store and online store?
A web store with a Shoporama point-of-sale system is the simplest way to have a single, unified inventory and customer base across all channels. If your primary focus is online but you also sell in-store from time to time, this is the best solution. However, if you run a large retail store with complex hardware requirements, a dedicated POS solution is better.
Start a free Shoporama trial and test the POS system for yourself. No commitment, no setup, and no credit card required. Need help with setup? Email support@shoporama.dk.