Starting a small business in South Africa is a challenge. There are so many decisions to make as well as obstacles to overcome. What kind of business would you like to start? Would you like to provide a service or sell a product? What products would you like to sell and is it worth your while to register barcodes for these products?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of investing in barcodes for your small business? And what kinds of codes are available and how many would one need? Starting a new business is a financial investment and investing in barcodes is one way of ensuring that this investment pays dividends.
Advantages of Barcodes
Investing in barcodes is the most important decision you can make for your small business. Barcoding your products will open new frontiers for your products. Most retailers will only stock products with codes. Therefore, not barcoding your products will limit your whole business.
In addition, initiating codes within your small business will streamline the entire sales process, saving you both time and money. They result in less mistakes being made and boost your control over your inventory. Barcodes will raise your business to the next level and ensure that you make a financial profit.
What barcodes to choose?
There is a wide range of codes to choose from. Barcodes are divided into two main types. One dimensional codes are very simple codes that are able to be scanned by any barcode scanner and are used mostly in the retailers in order to control the sales process from start to finish. The two most popular one dimensional codes are the UPC and EAN barcodes.
These American codes are essentially the same code, except that the EAN code has an extra 0 in front of it, making it one digit longer than the UPC code. Most retailers prefer the EAN code as it is more versatile within the retail setting. These codes give you complete control over your entire inventory and will allow your products to be stocked in retailers worldwide.
If you are aiming to supply your products to your retailers in bulk, it may be necessary to invest in the fourteen digit box or case barcode, also called the ITF-14 code. This code is linked to the product’s individual EAN code and tells the retailer that this is a case of 6 bottles.
It makes it easier for retailers to accept your products into their inventory. Some retailers will require these unique codes in addition to the normal retail barcodes. Other retailers will be happy with the EAN or UPC code only.
Other codes to choose from are the more complex two dimensional codes. These codes are able to store information as well as being able to be scanned by any Smartphone. Quick Response codes are taking the world by storm. They are being used within businesses to allow clients to pay for their purchases simply by scanning a QR code and following the prompts.
There are many payment applications that are available to businesses today. For example, Snapscan and Zapper. This is revolutionising the sales process by making it as smooth and hassle free as possible. QR codes are also being used to promote businesses within the wider community by making sure that more clients are aware of the business and what it offers.
How many barcodes to buy?
For every size and variation of your product, you will require a separate and unique code. For example,if you are selling dog bowls in two different sizes and two different variations, you will need four codes. If your retailer requires box codes as well, this will be an additional investment you will need to make.
If you have decided to initiate Snapscan in your business or if you have chosen to promote your business using a QR code, you have to invest in this code. Your QR code will be linked to your business website so that clients can find out all that they need to know to make informed decisions about your products.
How to register barcodes for your small business?
There are two routes to register barcodes for your business. One way is to register barcodes with the GS1 South Africa. This is the regulating authority that governs the issuing of registered codes.
This route can be quite costly, as there are yearly renewal fees on top of the once off payment. It can also take up to two or three weeks for you to receive your barcodes.
The easier and most cost effective route to take is to buy barcodes through a barcode reseller. SA Barcodes is one of the most popular barcode resellers in South Africa. We have invested in unused codes in bulk and are reselling them within South Africa.
These codes are fully legal and will be registered under your business or personal name. We do not require any yearly renewal fees, only a once of payment. After this, the codes will be yours for life. Our service is quick and efficient and we will send out your barcode package in no time at all.
Our codes come with a certificate of authentication that guarantees that they are legitimate codes and are fully usable on the international barcodes database.
Investing in barcodes for your small business does not have to break the bank or wear out your patience. Making the right decision about barcodes can make or break your business. Buying codes will ensure that your business thrives and becomes a sustainable financial concern.
Codes will enhance your professional reputation and ensure that both clients and retailers will take you seriously. Your products will be available at more retailers and awareness of your products will increase. Initiating codes within your small business will give you the wings that you need to fly.
