Say you run an online store selling water bottles. You have the same bottle in three different sizes. One day, a customer orders a 1-litre bottle but receives a 750 ml one instead. Now you have an unhappy customer, a return request and extra work.
Mistakes like these happen quite easily when you have hundreds of products to manage. That’s why having a proper way to identify each product matters. A GTIN helps sellers keep product details clear and avoid confusion.
What Is a GTIN and How Does It Work?
A GTIN, or Global Trade Item Number, is a number that helps identify a particular product. You may have seen numbers printed below barcodes on shampoo bottles, biscuit packets or other everyday items.
Each product variation generally needs its own number. For example, a 200 ml shampoo bottle will have a different number from the 400 ml bottle of the same shampoo.
In India, businesses can get GS1 identification numbers through GS1 India. These numbers help sellers and marketplaces recognise products correctly.
Why Is It Important for Online Sellers?
Selling online involves much more than uploading photographs and waiting for orders. You need to manage stock, update product details and make sure customers receive exactly what they ordered.
Here’s how product identification makes these tasks easier.
1. Keeps Product Listings Clear
Let’s say you sell bedsheets in five different sizes. While adding the products, you accidentally enter the wrong measurements for one size.
Such mistakes can confuse customers and lead to returns.
A proper product number helps you keep each variation separate. It also helps marketplaces identify matching products without creating unnecessary duplicate listings.
2. Makes Stock Management Easier
Managing ten products is fairly simple. But what happens when your store grows to 200 or 500 products?
Keeping track of every size, colour and quantity becomes difficult.
For example, if you sell kitchen containers in different sizes, a product number helps you identify which one is running low.
You can update your stock records without mixing up similar items. This becomes especially helpful during busy festive sales.
3. Helps Customers Find the Right Products
Customers usually know what they want. Someone looking for a 500 ml water bottle doesn’t want to receive a 750 ml version.
Correct product identification helps marketplaces match listings with accurate product information.
This can make products easier to find when customers search for particular sizes, models or quantities.
Of course, good photographs, clear titles and reasonable prices still matter. A product number alone cannot guarantee better search rankings.
4. Saves Time on Everyday Tasks
Think about the number of small tasks involved in running an online store.
You have orders to pack, stock to check and returns to handle.
When every product has a clear identity, finding the correct item becomes easier. Your staff can check records without having to guess between similar products.
If you manage your business through online selling portal like Flipkart Seller Hub, keeping product records accurate can make everyday order handling more organised.
How Can Indian Sellers Avoid Product Listing Mistakes?
You don’t need to check your entire catalogue in one day. Start with the products that receive the most orders.
Here are a few things worth checking:
- Look for the barcode number already printed on the product packaging.
- Make sure the number matches the correct size, colour and quantity.
- Check GS1 India’s registration process if your business needs new product numbers.
- Keep product names, descriptions and stock details updated.
- Avoid entering random numbers just to complete a listing.
Also, remember that different marketplaces may have different product listing requirements. It’s worth checking these rules before adding new items.
Start Getting Your Product Details Right
Running an online business becomes easier when your product records are in order. Even a small mistake in a listing can lead to unnecessary returns or confused customers.
With platforms like Flipkart Seller Hub, sellers can manage their listings and orders while reaching customers to up to 50+ crore. Also, Delivery can be possible to 19000+ Pincodes PAN India.
So, take another look at your catalogue. Check your busiest products first, correct any mismatched details and make sure each item has the right GTIN. A little extra care today can save you plenty of trouble as your business grows.
