Build apps for merchant needs: examples

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Clover merchants: by type of business

Type of business	Description
Accounting	Merchants process payroll weekly or bi-weekly, pay quarterly taxes, and balance expenses. Business owners may complete these tasks or work with a bookkeeper or accountant.
Inventory Management	Merchants must add new and seasonal items to inventory, update prices, keep track of what's in stock, be notified of things to be ordered, and easily re-stock items.
Menu	Restaurant owners create and update their menus, add seasonal appetizers and entrees, and set prices for regular items and specials.
Sales	Merchants and their employees spend time with customers to determine what they like and need. Merchants must also attract new and repeat customers more frequently with discounts and specials to increase sales.
Social Media	Social media is an important marketing tool. Therefore, many merchants post regularly on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media about specials, events, and other news. They also respond to social media reviews and check-ins.
Employee Management	One of the most essential activities for business owners is to recruit, hire, and train new employees, in addition to tracking employee performance.
Cash Flow	Merchants monitor their cash flow to pay vendors and follow up on accounts receivable.
Customer Service	Good customer service is a top priority. This includes recognizing and rewarding loyal customers and handling special orders and requests.
Marketing	Merchants get the word out about their business via advertising and social media. In addition, business owners network and interact with the local community.

Here are a few examples of the different kinds of apps that our merchants need to manage their day-to-day work.

Example: Quick service restaurants

Payment type	Restaurant type
Order and pay at the counter	- Café - Sandwich shop/Deli - Take-out pizza - Dive bar - Food truck - Full service restaurants
Order and pay at the table	- Diner - Fine dining - Sports bar - Sit-down pizzeria

Apps for Quick Service Restaurants

App type	Function
Bar tab app	Tallies orders.
Drink recipe app	Allows servers or customers to create a drink recipe.
ID verification	Swipe and confirm that an identification (ID) is valid.
Menu with photos	Visual identification of items
Order ahead app	Customized ordering before arriving at the restaurant.
Recipe-based inventory	Track inventory based on the components that make up a menu item.
Table mapping	Visual representation of restaurant floor plan.
Tip out percentage	Calculate tip distribution.
Two-touch (fast pay)	Bars or clubs want to complete a transaction in two touches, for example: Step 1. Martin; Step 2. $15 cash.

1600 — Photograph of a quick service restaurant with wooden decor

Example: Retailers

Retail store types
Jewelry store	Convenience store	Pro shop
Clothing boutique	Game store	Liquor store
Toy store	Furnishings	Shoe store
Gift items store	Musical instruments	Sporting goods
Auto parts	Bike store	Computer accessories

Apps for retailers

App type	Function
Stock inventory app	Average cost per unit for all inventory stock.
Consignment tracking	Track information about the consigner and commission for each item.
Layaway management	Track items on layaway, the amount paid, and the remaining balance.
Lottery payout	Ability to give customers lottery winnings and be reimbursed by the lottery organization.
Purchase order management	Real-time visibility in procurement activities.
Rent-to-purchase, such as musical instruments	Track payments and remaining balance.
Sales app	Track commission-based sales.

Example: Services

Service categories
Hairstylist	Chiropractor	Auto repair
Boxing gym	Catering	Plumbing repair
Dental/Medical office	Nail salon	Gym and personal trainer
Music school	Bowling alley	Motel
Adventure sports	Driving school

Apps for services

App type	Function
Daycare sign-in app	Parents sign the child in/out with a secure PIN.
Invoicing app	Invoicing for a recurring membership.
Membership tracking	Manage and track members' loyalty points, appointments, feedback, and more.
Membership scanning	Barcode scanning for registered and invited members, for example: in a bowling alley.
Rental management	Tracking what items are in and out, who has it, how long, and charges (flat or percentage; late).
Repair order tracking	Track parts, labor, and payments assigned to employees/customers.

Updated 4 months ago