My name is Joppe Klaver, and I work as a Backend Software Developer at Belsimpel | Gomibo. At Belsimpel, known internationally under the Gomibo domain name, we continuously strive to enhance the customer experience. When the implementation of a new Irish postcode system landed on my desk, it seemed like a straightforward task at first. In practice, however, it turned into a fascinating challenge full of decisions and insights.

From informal addresses to unique codes

Imagine writing a letter to “John Murphy, Main Street, Ballybeg,” and having it arrive effortlessly, despite the lack of precise details. Until 2015, this was the reality in Ireland. Postmen knew their towns and communities intimately, ensuring accurate deliveries with minimal address information. This charming system, rooted in personal connections and local knowledge, became increasingly unsustainable as Ireland grew and international delivery services entered the scene.

Introducing: Eircode

In 2015, Ireland launched its first national postcode system. Developed by the Irish government in collaboration with An Post, the national postal service, Eircode was built from scratch. It introduced a unique seven-character alphanumeric code for every address in the country. For example, D6W PV38: the first part, the routing key, identifies the area (e.g., Dublin 6W). The second part is a unique identifier for a specific address.

Unlike Dutch postcodes, where four digits and two letters denote a street or part of a neighbourhood, Eircodes provide a unique code for each address. This eliminates reliance on local knowledge and equips international couriers like DHL, DPD, and UPS with the tools to deliver efficiently and accurately. For e-commerce businesses, Eircode was a game-changer, ensuring complete addresses and reducing delivery errors.

The challenge: to mandate or not?

As a developer overseeing our shipping implementation, I faced a key question: should we require customers on Gomibo.ie to provide an Eircode?
Mandating Eircodes offered clear advantages: complete addresses reduce delivery failures and delays, especially crucial in Ireland, where vague addresses were common. Requiring Eircodes at checkout seemed logical from a logistical perspective.

However, this approach also posed risks. Mandatory fields could frustrate customers, potentially causing them to abandon the checkout process. We also wanted to avoid customers inputting random codes just to proceed, which could compromise address accuracy.

Research revealed that many Irish consumers had already adapted to Eircodes. A 2019 Amárach Research study for the Eircode Institute found that over 70% of consumers used them. Ultimately, we decided to make Eircodes mandatory at Gomibo.ie’s checkout. While this requires a minor adjustment for some customers, the benefits of improved delivery precision and reduced delays outweigh the potential drawbacks.

Could a Dutch Eircode work?

The Eircode system made me wonder: could the Netherlands benefit from something similar? A unique code for each address could enhance delivery accuracy, particularly for complex addresses like 21B¹. Yet, the Dutch situation differs significantly.

Our detailed postcode system already meets modern delivery needs. While Ireland transitioned from informal addressing to structured codes, Dutch postcodes have long combined four digits, two letters, and a house number for precision. Adding a unique code for every address would offer minimal extra value.

Implementing such a system would also be a massive undertaking, requiring updates to addresses, systems, and logistics for companies like PostNL and UPS. The costs and complexities would far outweigh the benefits in an already optimised system.

More than a field: A functional challenge with impact

Implementing Eircodes went beyond adding a new field to our checkout. The project centred on functional decisions: how to ensure mandatory fields enhance rather than hinder the customer experience? How to balance logistical precision with a seamless user journey?

It’s fascinating to realise how much thought goes into the smallest details of a webshop. As a customer, you rarely notice the analysis behind every field—each tailored to the unique requirements of different countries. For developers, this project highlights a key lesson: every system exists for a reason, even if it’s not immediately visible.

Does this sound like the kind of challenge you’d enjoy? Check out our vacancies – and then we might be working on exciting projects together at Gomibo soon!