If you’re building an online shop with WooCommerce, you may be wondering whether you need product barcodes. The answer depends on how and where you sell your products.
WooCommerce itself does not require products to have barcodes. However, if you intend to sell your products on marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay or Google Shopping, or you want to improve your inventory management, having unique product barcodes is highly recommended.
At Get A Barcode, we supply genuine EAN barcode numbers that are ideal for WooCommerce stores, helping businesses sell both online and through multiple sales channels.
Do You Need Barcodes for WooCommerce?
For a standard WooCommerce store, you can create products using:
- Product name
- SKU
- Product description
- Images
- Price
A barcode is not mandatory for listing products within WooCommerce itself.
However, adding a unique barcode to each product provides several important advantages, particularly if you plan to grow your business.
Why Use Barcodes with WooCommerce?
Using EAN barcodes with WooCommerce makes it much easier to manage products as your business expands.
Benefits include:
- Unique identification for every product
- Easier inventory management
- Faster warehouse picking and packing
- Compatibility with barcode scanners
- Simpler integration with inventory software
- Easier expansion to online marketplaces
- Reduced risk of duplicate product identifiers
A barcode becomes your product’s universal identifier and remains the same regardless of where you sell it.
WooCommerce Does Not Generate Official Product Barcodes
Although WooCommerce can work alongside barcode plugins and inventory systems, it does not issue official retail barcode numbers. Barcode plugins typically generate barcode images from existing product data or SKUs, rather than assigning globally unique retail identifiers.
If you want products that can be sold across multiple marketplaces and retail channels, you should obtain proper EAN barcode numbers before creating your listings.
When You Definitely Need Barcodes
If you only sell directly from your WooCommerce website, barcodes may not be essential.
However, you’ll almost certainly need them if you intend to sell on:
- Amazon
- eBay
- TikTok Shop
- Shopify
- Retail stores
- Wholesalers
- Point of Sale (POS) systems
Many selling platforms either require or strongly encourage the use of globally recognised product identifiers.
Selling on Multiple Platforms
One of WooCommerce’s greatest strengths is its ability to integrate with other sales channels.
Many businesses start with WooCommerce before expanding onto:
- Amazon
- eBay
- Google Shopping
- Facebook Shop
- TikTok Shop
Using the same barcode number across every platform helps ensure that your products remain consistent and easy to manage.
WooCommerce Barcode Plugins
There are numerous WooCommerce plugins available that can display or generate barcode images for products, labels or warehouse workflows. These are useful for inventory management, order processing and printing labels, but they generally rely on an existing product identifier such as a SKU or EAN rather than creating an official retail barcode for marketplace use.
Think of these plugins as tools that display or print your barcode—they do not replace obtaining a unique barcode number.
Choosing the Correct Barcode
Most WooCommerce sellers in the UK should use EAN-13 barcode numbers.
EAN barcodes are recognised worldwide and are suitable for:
- Retail products
- Online marketplaces
- Warehouses
- Distribution
- Wholesale
- International sales
If you’re unsure which barcode type you require, our guide How to Buy a Barcode for a Product explains the process from start to finish.
One Barcode Per Product
Each product should have its own unique barcode.
If you sell several different products, each requires a separate barcode.
For example:
| Product | Barcode Required |
|---|---|
| Blue Mug | Yes |
| Red Mug | Yes |
| Green Mug | Yes |
| Large T-Shirt | Yes |
| Medium T-Shirt | Yes |
| Small T-Shirt | Yes |
Different product variations often require their own barcode because each variation is treated as a separate product by many marketplaces.
Can I Use My SKU Instead?
A SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is an internal stock reference that you create yourself.
An EAN barcode is an internationally recognised product identifier.
They serve different purposes.
Many WooCommerce stores use both:
- SKU for internal stock management
- EAN barcode for selling products externally
How to Add Barcodes to WooCommerce
The exact method depends on your setup, but the typical process is:
- Purchase your barcode numbers.
- Create your WooCommerce product.
- Enter the barcode number into the appropriate product field or compatible plugin.
- Save the product.
- Use the same barcode wherever the product is sold.
This approach keeps your inventory consistent across multiple sales channels.
Buying Barcodes for WooCommerce
At Get A Barcode, purchasing barcode numbers is quick and straightforward.
Our barcode numbers are suitable for:
- WooCommerce
- Amazon
- eBay
- Shopify
- TikTok Shop
- Retail products
- Warehouses
- Wholesale businesses
Once purchased, your barcode numbers can be assigned to your products and used as your catalogue grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WooCommerce require barcodes?
No. WooCommerce allows you to create products without barcodes.
Can I sell products on WooCommerce without barcodes?
Yes. If you only sell through your own website, barcodes are optional.
Will I need barcodes for Amazon?
In many cases, yes. Amazon often requires products to have valid product identifiers.
Can I use the same barcode everywhere?
Yes. Once assigned, the same barcode should remain with that product wherever it is sold.
Can WooCommerce generate retail barcodes?
WooCommerce extensions can generate barcode images from product data or SKUs, but they do not create official retail product identifiers on their own.
Order Your WooCommerce Barcodes Today
Whether you’re launching your first WooCommerce store or expanding into Amazon, eBay or retail, having the correct barcode numbers from the beginning makes managing your products much easier.
Get A Barcode supplies barcode numbers with instant delivery, making it simple to prepare your WooCommerce catalogue for future growth.