Unlock Hidden Features: 10 Lesser-Known Square POS Tips That Can Boost Your Sales

Introduction

You want faster checkouts, bigger baskets, and more repeat customers. Read this and you’ll leave with 10 specific Square POS tactics you can enable today to make that happen. Some are quick switches. Others require a little setup. All of them are realistic ways to lift sales without reinventing your business.

Why these matter now: modern shoppers expect speed, personalization, and friction-free pickup/delivery. Square has built features for that - many go unused. Use them deliberately.

1. Automate inventory tracking and low-stock alerts

Why it matters

Out-of-stock items kill sales and waste marketing. Automated inventory keeps quantities accurate across register and online store so you don’t disappoint customers.

How to set it up

• In Square Dashboard, go to Items > Inventory (or Catalog).
• Turn on inventory tracking for SKU’d items and enter starting quantities.
• Enable low-stock alerts and set reorder thresholds per item.

Pro tip

Sync purchase orders with suppliers or export a weekly inventory report to avoid surprises during peak days.

Impact example

Shops that enable inventory tracking typically reduce stockouts and lost impulse sales - even a small improvement can recover several lost transactions per week.

References: Square Help – Inventory and Item Library (Square Support).

2. Use item modifiers and smart add-ons for effortless upsells

Why it matters

Add-ons (extra toppings, extended warranties, quick accessories) are where margins grow. Making them obvious at checkout increases uptake.

How to set it up

• Create modifier sets in your Item Library (e.g., “Add-on - Extra Shot”, “Gift Wrap”).
• Mark modifiers as required or suggested and include price adjustments.
• Add recommended add-ons as visible buttons on your register layout.

Pro tip

Bundle frequently-purchased add-ons as a single mixed-item with a slightly discounted price - customers like perceived value.

Impact example

Turning on suggested modifiers can lift average order value (AOV) by 5–15% on items with natural complements.

References: Square Support – Modifiers and Item Variations (Square Support).

3. Design register shortcuts and quick keys to speed checkout

Why it matters

Every second shaved off the checkout line reduces friction and increases throughput - especially during rush periods.

How to set it up

• In the Square POS app, open Register Layout or Item Library (varies by Square product).
• Add frequently sold items and combos to the front screen as Quick Keys.
• Organize by time of day (breakfast/lunch/dinner) or category to reduce search time.

Pro tip

Use color-coding or emoji in item names to help staff visually find top sellers quickly.

Impact example

Faster transactions reduce wait time and increase the number of customers served per shift - which can translate directly to revenue on busy days.

4. Customize digital receipts with promotions and CTAs

Why it matters

Receipts are micro-marketing opportunities. A simple promo code or CTA can drive a second purchase.

How to set it up

• In Square Dashboard, go to Receipts or Messages.
• Customize email and SMS receipts to include a promo code, link to your online store, or a social follow CTA.
• Consider a small time-limited discount for “bring this receipt back within 7 days.”

Pro tip

A/B test messages: try “10% off next purchase” vs “Free item with next purchase” and track redemptions.

Impact example

Even low redemption rates (1–3%) can deliver measurable return if the promo nudges customers back sooner.

References: Square Support – Email and SMS Receipts (Square Support).

5. Activate Customer Directory and targeted segmentation

Why it matters

Knowing who buys what lets you send targeted offers and personalize experiences - the fastest path to repeat business.

How to set it up

• Enable Customer Directory in Dashboard > Customers.
• Collect email/phone at checkout and tag customer profiles by behavior or preferences.
• Use segments (e.g., “repeat coffee buyers” or “holiday gift purchasers”) to send tailored campaigns.

Pro tip

Integrate with your email tool or use Square Marketing to automate re-engagement for lapsed customers.

Impact example

Targeted promos typically outperform blanket discounts because they’re relevant; lifetime value goes up over time.

References: Square Support – Customers and Directory (Square Support).

6. Build automated discounts and rule-based pricing

Why it matters

Automatic discounts (happy hour, bulk pricing, or loyalty tier pricing) remove cashier guesswork and make deals consistent.

How to set it up

• In Dashboard, go to Items > Discounts or Pricing Rules.
• Create rules - time-based discounts, “buy 2 get 1” bundles, or volume discounts.
• Test rules during low-traffic times to ensure they behave as expected.

Pro tip

Use discount rules to promote new or slow-moving items - set a short window and monitor lift.

Impact example

Automated smart discounts reduce friction and can increase AOV when properly targeted.

7. Offer and manage gift cards professionally

Why it matters

Gift cards are prepaid revenue today and sales tomorrow. They’re an easy way to bring new customers into the store.

How to set it up

• Enable Square Gift Cards in Dashboard > Gift Cards (requires activation).
• Offer physical and e-gift options. Train staff to promote gift cards at checkout.
• Monitor breakage (unredeemed balances) and plan promotions to convert unused value.

Pro tip

Bundle a gift card with a small bonus during slow months (buy $50, get $5 extra) to drive sales spikes.

Impact example

Gift card campaigns can create short-term cash influx and longer-term incremental sales when redeemed.

References: Square Support – Gift Cards (Square Support).

8. Leverage Square Loyalty and automated rewards

Why it matters

A structured loyalty program encourages repeat visits and increases customer lifetime value.

How to set it up

• In Dashboard, enable Square Loyalty and choose earning rules (visits, spend thresholds).
• Customize rewards (discounts, free items) and redemption rules.
• Promote enrollment at checkout and on receipts.

Pro tip

Combine loyalty with email/SMS campaigns to nudge customers toward their next reward milestone.

Impact example

Loyalty members typically visit more often and spend more per visit than non-members - even modestly increased frequency compounds revenue.

References: Square Loyalty (Square Support).

9. Use offline mode, prep syncing, and device pairing to never miss a sale

Why it matters

Connection drops happen. Offline mode keeps you selling and syncs when the network returns, preventing lost transactions.

How to set it up

• In Square POS settings, enable Offline Mode or allow “accept offline payments.”
• Pair mobile devices (Square Reader, Square Terminal) and test offline transactions during quiet hours.
• Train staff to note any offline payments for reconciliation.

Pro tip

Set expectations in your policy: if you accept offline card transactions, ensure the customer is informed about potential processing timing.

Impact example

Maintaining sales capability during outages preserves daily revenue and customer trust.

References: Square Support – Offline mode (Square Support).

10. Tap the App Marketplace and simple automations (Zapier, accounting apps)

Why it matters

The right integrations automate tasks - receipts to accounting, customers to email lists, orders to fulfillment - freeing time to focus on selling.

How to set it up

• Browse Square App Marketplace (Square App Marketplace) and find tools for accounting, marketing, and inventory.
• Use Zapier or Make (formerly Integromat) to connect Square with apps you already use (CRM, email, spreadsheets).
• Start with one reliable integration and measure time saved or errors reduced.

Pro tip

Automate daily sales exports to your accounting package to reduce manual reconciliation work.

Impact example

Automations reduce human error, accelerate fulfillment, and allow small teams to scale service during busy periods.

References: Square Developer and App Marketplace (Square Developer, Square App Marketplace).

Final checklist to implement within 30 days

• Day 1–3 - Turn on inventory tracking, low-stock alerts, and offline mode.
• Day 4–10 - Create modifier sets, quick keys, and a custom receipt template.
• Day 11–20 - Enable Customer Directory, set up one segmented campaign, and launch a small gift-card promotion.
• Day 21–30 - Test loyalty rules and add one app integration (accounting or marketing).

Conclusion

These 10 lesser-used Square features are low-friction levers you can pull to increase throughput, AOV, and repeat visits. You don’t need to flip everything at once. Pick two to implement this week - track the metrics, iterate, and scale what works.

Sources

• Square Support and Help Center: https://squareup.com/help
• Square App Marketplace: https://squareup.com/us/en/app-marketplace
• Square Developer Documentation: https://developer.squareup.com/docs