Selling online and in-store should feel connected, not chaotic. That’s why the Bigcommerce Lightspeed POS integrations matters more than ever. For retailers juggling both channels, this setup can cut manual work, sync product info, and stop stockouts before they happen. We’ll break it down for you so everything feels more manageable.
Overview of Lightspeed POS
Lightspeed POS is a cloud-based POS system built for busy retailers. Whether you run a boutique, a bike shop, or a restaurant, it helps you sell smarter without juggling tools.
You can use it on iPads, desktops, or phones. It tracks sales, updates stock, and shows reports. All in one place.
It handles:
- Sales online and in-store
- Stock syncing across locations
- Customer loyalty and promotions
- Real-time reports with no spreadsheet fuss
Lightspeed offers its own payment system but also works with others. Rates are transparent, and setup is simple.
They provide different versions depending on the business:
- Retail: for clothing, electronics, pet stores
- Restaurant: with table maps, menus, and kitchen screens
- Golf: handles tee times, club sales, and member billing
Why does it matter?
Back in 2015, TechCrunch reported that Lightspeed processed $10 billion in transactions a year across 25,000 stores in 100 countries. At that time, it was already seeing 123% year-over-year growth, focusing mostly on brick-and-mortar stores with mid-sized sales volumes.
Fast forward to today, and the numbers are even more impressive. According to the latest data, Lightspeed now supports over 165,000 merchants and processes more than $90 billion annually. It currently holds about 7% of the global POS market.
What’s driving that growth?
- A smooth iPad checkout experience
- Easy setup for multi-location stores
- 24/7 live support
- Built-in tools for marketing, inventory, and customer tracking
- Pre-built integrations with BigCommerce, QuickBooks, and more
Lightspeed POS isn’t just a register. It’s the central nervous system for stores that want to run fast and sell everywhere.
How Does BigCommerce Work with Lightspeed POS?
Bigcommerce Lightspeed POS integrations turn both platforms into a connected system. You don’t need to update both platforms manually. One change updates everywhere.
Lightspeed usually acts as the ‘source of truth’. It controls inventory levels, pricing, and product names. If a staff member updates a price in Lightspeed, that same price shows up automatically on your BigCommerce store.
That matters because omnichannel shoppers already spend about 34% more than single-channel shoppers, according to McKinsey, so keeping every channel perfectly in sync directly boosts revenue potential
We’ve broken down how the sync works below:
- Product info: Changes in Lightspeed push to BigCommerce.
- Inventory: Sales on either channel adjust stock in real time.
- Orders: Online orders show up in Lightspeed. Staff can fulfill them fast.
- Customers: Every sale, in-store or online, adds to the same customer profile.
It’s clean. It’s automatic. With the right setup, it works quietly in the background. You can focus on selling.
Want to layer automation on top of that? GritGlobal’s Atom8 takes it a step further. It handles tasks like tagging VIP customers, notifying staff when stock hits low levels, or triggering emails when certain products are back in stock. That’s how some retailers are scaling up without burning out.
The Benefits from BigCommerce Lightspeed POS Integrations
This integration isn’t just about syncing data. It’s about making retail smoother, faster, and less stressful. This is especially helpful when things get busy.
- Eliminate Double Data Entry and Sync Inventory in Real Time
Manually entering product info in two systems is a quick way to waste time and create errors. With Bigcommerce Lightspeed POS integrations, changes made in Lightspeed reflect instantly in BigCommerce. Price updates, new SKUs, stock levels. It all syncs without double work.
For context, Forbes notes that retailers deploying automated inventory-scanning robots recover 30 to 100 staff hours per week, time that was previously lost to manual checks. Simple data sync multiplies that time savings across the team.
- Handle Online and In-Store Orders Without Separate Systems
Every sale is recorded in the same system, regardless of where it occurs. Your POS system team doesn’t need to dig through BigCommerce. Your eCom manager doesn’t need to call the store for order updates. It’s one clean pipeline for orders. Start to finish.
- Avoid Overselling with Accurate Stock Levels
Lightspeed tracks inventory across all your stores. When a customer buys online, the system updates in real time. No delays. No guesswork. That accuracy helps plug a costly leak. NielsenIQ estimates U.S. retailers forfeit roughly $48 billion in annual sales because items show as available when they’re actually out of stock.
And when paired with BackOrder by GritGlobal, you can keep selling even when stock runs out. Customers still get to buy. The POS updates as soon as new stock arrives.
We’ve also outlined additional back order solutions if you need more options
- Merge Customer Profiles for Better Service and Marketing
Forget scattered data. This setup combines customer activity from your site and stores into one profile. That means smarter marketing. Better service. Loyalty programs that actually make sense. You know who your customers are. You know what they buy. You know how often they shop. It doesn’t matter where the purchase happens.
- Save Time on Product Management by Syncing Updates Once
Change a description or update a price in Lightspeed. BigCommerce shows it automatically. Launching a sale? No need to copy-paste across platforms. That saves time. It cuts mistakes. It keeps the online store aligned with what’s happening in-store.
- Sell More, Faster by Pushing Inventory to BigCommerce Instantly
New stock arrives. You log it into Lightspeed. It appears on BigCommerce in minutes. That speed matters. This is especially true when you’re restocking trending items or running flash sales. Faster uploads mean more chances to sell before your competitors do.
- Stay Scalable with Growing Catalogs, Multiple Stores, or Busy Seasons
Whether you’re adding new products, opening more locations, or prepping for Black Friday, Bigcommerce Lightspeed POS integrations hold up. This setup’s built to scale with your business. It won’t slow you down.
And with GritGlobal’s BigCommerce BackOrder, that scalability gets an extra push. Out-of-stock items no longer block sales. You keep the orders coming. You update customers on expected delivery. Everything syncs back to Lightspeed. It’s a safety net. It keeps the revenue flowing when demand outpaces supply.
Setting BigCommerce – Lighspeed POS Integrations: Steps and Requirements
Before diving in, make sure both platforms are compatible. You’ll need a Lightspeed Retail POS plan that supports integrations. You’ll also need a BigCommerce Standard plan or higher.
You can start by following this quick checklist:
- Make sure SKUs match across both systems.
- Back up your product and customer data.
- Set up your POS registers correctly. Clean up any test data.
Once you’re ready, you can connect Lightspeed to BigCommerce through the Lightspeed backend. Or you can use third-party tools like SKUPlugs. Most retailers go with an integration partner for a smoother setup. This is especially useful if they want real-time sync and custom mapping.
For stores already juggling BackOrder, these tactics to handle items on backorder are handy references.
Integration Tools: Modern Retail, SKUPlugs & Others
There are a few solid tools on the market to bridge Lightspeed and BigCommerce.
Modern Retail offers a polished solution. But it comes with a steeper price tag. Expect a one-time setup fee around $2,000 and a monthly cost of $150. You’ll get solid support. But setup can take longer if your catalog is large or complex.
SKUPlugs, on the other hand, is faster and more budget-friendly. Setup is simple. No code needed. Syncs run in real time. You can map products, orders, and inventory between both systems without touching the backend. Most small to mid-sized stores prefer SKUPlugs for its speed and ease of use.
Need advanced features or scalable options? Modern Retail might be the better fit. But if you want to get going fast and stay under budget, SKUPlugs delivers the essentials.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
Even with the best tools, things can go sideways. Most problems come from small setup mistakes. These issues quietly break the sync. Catch them early and you’ll avoid hours of cleanup later. That’s why getting BigCommerce Lightspeed POS integrations right from the start is so important.
You’ll want to watch out for the following issues:
- SKU mismatches. Products won’t sync unless SKUs match across both platforms.
- Register setup issues. Misconfigured POS registers can throw off reports and order routing.
- Composite and variant product errors. Bundles or items with size and color options need extra setup care to sync correctly.
- Manual edits in BigCommerce. Direct changes to products or stock levels can disrupt the flow from Lightspeed.
To keep things running smoothly, many retailers rely on Atom8, a BigCommerce Automation app by GritGlobal, to handle critical workflows automatically.
It syncs inventory updates from Lightspeed to BigCommerce. It tags high-value or custom online orders for quick staff action. It also manages product visibility based on stock or promotions. And it sends notifications to customers when popular items are back.
This behind-the-scenes automation helps prevent small setup issues from growing into costly problems.
Final Thoughts
A proper BigCommerce Lightspeed POS integrations turn two platforms into one powerful system. It saves time. It protects your margins. It keeps your team sane. Pair it with tools like SKUPlugs and Atom8. You’ll have a setup that not only works but grows with you.
Need help with automation or backorder setup? Contact us and we’ll walk you through it.
