You’ve worked hard to create your amazing product; you have the perfect packaging and the logistics sorted. When you reach out to a large retailer, they look at you like you’ve lost your marbles. You’ll need a barcode! It’s a cruel truth of the modern world. A barcode is needed to get your product onto the shelves. It allows the billing system to function, tracks your inventory and tells the warehouse where your items are.
There are hundreds of websites offering instant barcodes at rock-bottom prices. However, not all barcodes are the same. If you purchase an incorrectly formatted image, it won’t work on the checkout scanners.
When looking for a trusted barcode supplier India, you’ll want to look past the homepage.
Not All Barcodes Are The Same
Before paying for anything, you’ll want to make sure you know what you’re paying for. There are strict rules in the retail world. If you’re selling physical products in stores, you’ll need a standard retail barcode such as EAN 13 or UPC. If you’re tracking boxes in your own warehouse, or using them for logistics, you’ll want to use a Code 128. QR codes are great for marketing, allowing customers to be sent directly to your website or promotional video.
You’ll also need to make sure you own the prefix or are renting it from a reseller. Make sure the documentation shows clearly that the supplier owns the numbers or has legal rights to use them. If the documentation is not clear, the retailer will reject it.
The Danger Of The Bargain Shop
Many new businesses make the mistake of seeing barcodes as a commodity. They’ll go for the cheapest option online. The problem with cheap barcodes is that they often use shared/used prefixes. This can cause problems when they scan it at the retailers; they may show up as a completely different product or an old product. You may get fined or could even lose your product completely.
Also make sure the barcode is high quality. If it’s been created using a low resolution format it’ll become blurry if you print it onto curved packaging. Ensure that the supplier provides high quality vector files.
How To Check Your Supplier
When you finally decide to buy barcode for your business you may be surprised how complicated it can be. A trustworthy supplier will ask you questions to help you. They’ll ask what you’re selling and where. They’ll help you decide whether you need official registration or a reseller package.
Make sure there are no hidden costs. There shouldn’t be any yearly costs or unexpected costs. They should have a support team to help you. If your barcode gets rejected by the retailer, they should be able to help you troubleshoot. They should have replacement policies and ensure your image files are to the correct specifications.
The Simple Checklist
Before paying, make sure:
- The barcode is in the correct format for your retail partner.
- They have good reviews and a good history in the industry.
- The price includes the image files and documentation.
- They have a genuine support team.
Don’t purchase thousands of barcodes. Only purchase what you need for your current product line. You can always increase the amount later.
The Bottom Line
Whilst getting the right barcode may seem like a small step when building your business, it is an essential step. Don’t try to cut corners by purchasing a cheap barcode. Make sure you’ve checked your supplier, understand what format you need and have the correct documentation. Your barcode is your products identity so make sure it works!
