Q: When purchasing an ISBN, I’m always asked if I also want to purchase a barcode for my self-published book. Do I need to buy one?

The answer generally is no. Most print-on-demand companies, such as KindleDP, provide a barcode for free. About the only time you’d want to purchase a barcode is if you are plan to print the book at a place that does not offer a barcode (such as the local printshop) and will distribute the book solely by yourself.

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