As an Amazon seller, you need to create and use barcodes for your products to sell them on the platform. Barcodes are unique identifiers that help Amazon track your inventory and manage your sales. In this guide, we will explore the different types of barcodes and how you can create and use them on Amazon.
What Are Barcodes?
Barcodes are a series of vertical bars and spaces that represent a unique sequence of numbers or letters. They can be scanned by a barcode reader to quickly and accurately identify a product. Barcodes are used in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, and logistics, to track inventory and manage sales.
Types of Barcodes
There are several types of barcodes, but the most commonly used types in retail are UPC and EAN barcodes.
UPC Barcodes:
Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes are used primarily in North America and are 12 digits long. They are used to identify products at the point of sale and are required by most retailers, including Amazon.
Click here to know more about Amazon UPC codes.
EAN Barcodes:
European Article Number (EAN) barcodes are used primarily in Europe and are 13 digits long. They are similar to UPC barcodes and are used to identify products at the point of sale.
Creating Barcodes for Your Products
To create barcodes for your products, you will need to obtain a unique identifier from a GS1 or other approved barcode provider. The unique identifier is a sequence of numbers that is assigned to your product and is encoded in the barcode. Once you have obtained a unique identifier, you can create the barcode using a barcode generator software or hire a graphic designer to create it for you.
Using Barcodes on Amazon
To sell products on Amazon, you will need to use a barcode to identify each product. When you create a product listing on Amazon, you will be prompted to enter a barcode for the product. You can enter the barcode manually or use Amazon’s barcode scanning service to scan the barcode. Once the barcode is entered, Amazon will use it to track your inventory and manage your sales.
Benefits of Using Barcodes on Amazon
Barcodes are an essential tool for online retailers who sell products on Amazon. They provide a quick and efficient way to track inventory, manage stock levels, and speed up the fulfillment process. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using barcodes on Amazon.
Accurate Inventory Management
One of the most significant benefits of using barcodes on Amazon is accurate inventory management. Each barcode represents a unique product code that can be scanned and tracked throughout the entire supply chain. This means that you can easily track inventory levels, monitor stock levels, and quickly identify any discrepancies. Accurate inventory management is crucial for any e-commerce business, as it helps to prevent stockouts and overstocking, which can result in lost sales or excess inventory costs.
Faster Fulfillment Process
Barcodes also help to speed up the fulfillment process on Amazon. When a product is scanned, the barcode provides all the necessary information about the product, including its price, quantity, and location. This means that the pick and pack process can be completed quickly and accurately, reducing the time it takes to fulfill orders and increasing customer satisfaction.
Reduced Human Error
Barcodes also help to reduce human error. When products are manually entered into a system, there is always the risk of typos and errors. Barcodes eliminate this risk, as the information is scanned and automatically entered into the system. This means that you can be confident that the product information is accurate, reducing the risk of errors and the associated costs.
Improved Productivity
Barcodes can also improve productivity. With barcode scanning, products can be located and tracked quickly, reducing the time it takes to locate and retrieve items. This means that staff can be more productive and focus on other tasks, such as order processing, which can increase overall efficiency and profitability.
Better Data Management
Barcodes also provide better data management. By tracking products at every stage of the supply chain, you can gather valuable data that can be used to improve business processes. For example, you can use data to identify slow-moving products or to determine which products are most popular. This data can be used to inform pricing decisions, inventory management, and marketing strategies, helping to increase profitability and drive growth.
Tips for Using Barcodes on Amazon
Barcodes play a crucial role in managing inventory and ensuring smooth order processing on Amazon. They are used to identify products, track inventory levels, and fulfill orders quickly and efficiently. Here are some tips for using barcodes effectively on Amazon:
Use Standard Product Identifiers
Amazon requires all products to have a standard product identifier (SPI), such as a Universal Product Code (UPC), European Article Number (EAN), or International Standard Book Number (ISBN). These identifiers must be unique and match the product you are listing. When creating a product listing on Amazon, you will be asked to enter the SPI for your product. Amazon will use this SPI to create a barcode for your product, which can be used to manage inventory and fulfill orders.
Consider Using Amazon’s Barcode Service
Amazon offers a barcode service called Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Label Service, which generates and prints barcodes for your products. This service ensures that your products are labeled accurately and are ready to be sent to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. With FBA Label Service, you can save time and reduce errors associated with labeling products yourself.
Ensure Barcodes are Printed Correctly
Barcodes must be printed clearly and accurately for them to be scanned correctly. When printing barcodes, ensure that the barcode is not stretched, skewed, or distorted in any way. Use high-quality printers and print on labels that are compatible with the printer. If the barcode is not printed correctly, it may not be scannable, which can result in delays in order processing and fulfillment.
Test Barcodes Before Using Them
Before using barcodes on your products, it is important to test them to ensure that they are scannable. Use a barcode scanner to test the barcode and ensure that it can be read accurately. If the barcode cannot be read, you may need to adjust the printing settings or use a different label.
Monitor Inventory Levels
Barcodes are essential for tracking inventory levels and ensuring that you have enough stock to fulfill orders. Monitor your inventory levels regularly and replenish stock when necessary. Using barcodes to track inventory levels can help you avoid stockouts and delays in order processing.
Conclusion
Barcodes are an essential component of selling products on Amazon. They help Amazon track your inventory and manage your sales more efficiently. By understanding the different types of barcodes and how to create and use them on Amazon, you can ensure that your products are properly identified and tracked on the platform, which can help you improve your sales and grow your business.
