Buying A GTIN Number
Getting your anchor product registered with a GTIN before advertising:
One of the biggest problems I have seen with small artists and small businesses selling products is the need for more exposure online due to missing product information. A missing SKU (stock-keeping unit) number or an invalid number will cause your product to disappear online. When e-commerce websites first started becoming popular, having a registered SKU number was not always necessary. Still, as time went on, it became essential to have an organized system to track products globally. This gave rise to Global Trade Item Numbers.
The Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is a unique identifier for products in the global marketplace. It is commonly used in barcodes to facilitate the tracking and management of products. There are different types of GTINs, such as GTIN-12 (UPC), GTIN-13 (EAN-13), and GTIN-14.
When it comes to purchasing GTINs, there are various pricing models available. Some providers offer individual GTINs at a lower cost, typically around $30, while others provide bulk packages at discounted rates for larger quantities, such as ten or more.
If you are just starting with GTIN, you will be using the GTIN-12, the basic identification for a single product. These can be purchased one at a time or in bulk, as mentioned above. Below, I have listed descriptions of how each type is used.
But, if you are starting, just buy one GTIN for the $30 amount.
Here is a breakdown of the GTIN types.
- GTIN-12 (UPC): This 12-digit number is commonly known as the Universal Product Code (UPC). It is widely used in North America for retail and identifies a specific product, usually associated with a barcode on products sold in stores.
- GTIN-13 (EAN-13): The EAN-13 is a 13-digit number and is the European Article Number (EAN). It is used globally and is similar to the UPC. EAN-13 barcodes are found on products worldwide, allowing for international identification.
- GTIN-14 (ITF-14): The GTIN-14 is a 14-digit number also known as the ITF-14 (Interleaved 2 of 5). It’s often used for cartons, cases, or pallets of products, providing a way to identify and track groupings of items in the supply chain.
Benefits of Buying a Single GTIN at $30:
- Affordability for Small Businesses: Purchasing a single GTIN at a lower cost is more affordable for small businesses or individuals who may not need a large quantity of identifiers.
- Flexibility: Buying individual GTINs allows for flexibility, as you can acquire only the number of codes you currently need without committing to a larger quantity.
- Immediate Access: Single GTIN purchases usually provide immediate access to the code, which can be advantageous if you need to list your product quickly.
Shortcomings of Buying a Single GTIN at $30:
- Limited Cost Savings: While the upfront cost is lower, the per-unit cost of a single GTIN is higher than that of a bulk purchase. If you plan to list multiple products, the cost can add up.
- Scaling Challenges: If your business expands and you need more GTINs for additional products, purchasing individual codes can become inefficient and more expensive in the long run.
Benefits of Buying ten or More GTINs:
- Cost Efficiency: Purchasing GTINs in bulk often comes with a discounted per-unit cost, providing savings for businesses planning to list multiple products.
- Scalability: Bulk purchases are suitable for businesses with plans for expansion. You have a pool of GTINs to allocate to new products as your inventory grows.
- Consistency: Using the same type of GTIN across your product line provides a consistent and professional image, making it easier for customers to recognize your brand.
Shortcomings of Buying Ten or More GTINs:
- Higher Initial Investment: The upfront cost of buying in bulk is higher, which may pose a challenge for small businesses with limited budgets.
- Unused GTINs: If your business doesn’t expand as anticipated, you may end up with unused GTINs, resulting in wasted resources.
In conclusion, the decision between purchasing a single GTIN at $30 or buying ten or more depends on the specific needs and plans of your business. Consider factors such as your budget, the number of products you plan to list, and your growth projections when making this decision.
Here is the GTIN website link where you can buy your first GTIN. https://www.gs1.org/
Adding the GTIN to your product website information:
When you are ready to add your GTIN to your product information, you will need to add it to the proper section. Look under the inventory section of your e-commerce website. You should see a spot to add it labeled GTIN. Spotify and a few other e-commerce providers have added this section for you.
If you are using Woocommerce, you will need to install a new plugin to display the GTIN number. I am using a plugin called EAN For Woocommerce or Customer Reviews for WooCommerce.
You can configure the settings under the Woocommerce tab. Open the EAN tab and change the Type section from EAN to UPC-A. Then change the Title from EAN to GTIN and press save at the bottom of the page.
Now, when you add a new product, you will see a place to add your GTIN number. Add it, and you should be good to go.
If you have problems adding the GTIN, check with your website hosting provider for guidance.