Nov 11, 2022
In this episode of the Ecwid Ecommerce Show, we meet with Shane Morris and Megan Baumer from GS1 US.
GS1 US is the official issuer and administrator of the UPC barcode, which is the cornerstone of the global supply chain.
Listen to our podcast to learn more about barcodes and the differences between product identifiers such as UPC and GTIN.
You’ll learn how these identifiers help with inventory management and contribute to expanding your online business.
Understanding barcodes
The Universal Product Code, or UPC, is a barcode symbology used
worldwide to track trade items in stores.
A Global Trade Item Number, or GTIN, is the number below a barcode.
GTINs and UPCs are often used interchangeably, but they are different. The UPC is the barcode that carries and identifies the Global Trade Item Number.
Key benefits of GTIN for online sellers
GTIN bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds. They
can be used to boost search engine optimization, prove a brand's
authenticity online, and be used to create unified analytics across
multiple channels.
Shane Morris highlights four key benefits in the ecommerce space where the GTIN serves a purpose:
Improved SEO
Assigning GTINs to your products when listing on Google Shopping or
your website can significantly improve search results, impressions,
and conversions.
Better logistics process
You will likely need to use third-party logistics providers as you
expand your business to get help with managing the supply chain.
These partners will want a way to identify your products. Providing
them with GTINs prevents disorganization when you have a huge
inventory.
Verifying a business on online marketplaces
Marketplaces want to ensure that their customers only interact with
legitimate brands selling legitimate products. There are standards
in place to ensure that legitimacy—one of these is the GTIN.
Essential for omnichannel strategy
Most businesses want to be everywhere their customers are. Having a
GS1 GTIN for your products will open up countless doors to the
numerous retailers and marketplaces that require them.
Getting GTINs for your products
To get GTINs for your products, visit the GS websites:
If you sell in US: https://www.gs1us.org/
If you are a non-US brand: https://www.gs1.org/
Also, check out the following resources that Shane and Megan
mention in the episode:
GS1 Company Database:
https://www.gs1us.org/tools/gs1-company-database-gepir
Barcode Estimator:
https://www.gs1us.org/tools/barcode-estimator/home
The Next Level Supply Chain with GS1 US podcast:
https://next-level-supply-chain-with-gs1us.podcastpage.io/
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