Zip Codes Documentation¶

Menu Location: Settings > Zip Codes (admin-edit.php?table=zip_codes)

Access Level: Manager / Administrator

Last Updated: 2026-03-01

Overview¶

The Zip Codes page manages service area definitions by assigning postal codes to delivery routes. Control where you deliver and what day customers in each area receive orders.

Primary Functions:

Assign zip codes to delivery routes
Define service areas
Control delivery day by location
Mark in-range vs shipping areas
Manage auto-routing during signup

Zip Code Configuration¶

Adding Zip Codes¶

Fields:

Zip Code: Postal code (5-digit or postal code format)
Route: Which route serves this zip
In Range: Can be delivered (vs shipped)
Use Shipping: Requires shipping instead of local delivery
Active: Currently serviceable

Service Area Definition¶

In Range = Delivery:

Local delivery area
Assigned to specific route/day
Lower cost
Fresh delivery

Use Shipping = Ships:

Outside delivery radius
Ships via carrier
Higher cost
May limit product selection

Route Assignment¶

Assigning Zips to Routes¶

Method:

Edit zip code entry
Select route from dropdown
Set In Range = Yes
Save

Result:

Customers in that zip auto-assigned to route
Determines delivery day
Sets up for local delivery

Auto-Routing System¶

How It Works¶

When customer signs up:

System captures zip code
Looks up zip in table
Returns assigned route
Customer sees delivery day
Subscription created with route

If Zip Not Found:

Customer may see "outside area" message
Goes to pending route
Manual review required

Managing Service Areas¶

Expanding Service Area¶

Add New Zip:

Go to Zip Codes page
Add New
Enter zip code
Select route for area
Set In Range = Yes
Save
New signups in that zip now accepted

Limiting Service¶

Remove Zip from Service:

Edit zip entry
Set Active = No or In Range = No
Save
New signups blocked in that zip
Existing customers unaffected

Common Use Cases¶

Use Case 1: Add New Service Zip¶

Goal: Expand to new neighborhood

Steps:

Determine new zip codes to serve
Decide which delivery day (route)
Go to Zip Codes page
Add each new zip
Assign to appropriate route
Set In Range = Yes, Active = Yes
Save entries
Update website service area map
Begin marketing in new area

Use Case 2: Rebalance Route Load¶

Goal: Move zip to different day due to capacity

Steps:

Find overloaded route
Identify zips that could move
Edit zip entries
Change route assignment to less busy day
Save changes
New signups go to new route
Optionally migrate existing customers

Bulk Management¶

CSV Import/Export¶

Some systems support:

Export zip list to CSV
Edit in spreadsheet
Bulk import changes
Mass route reassignment

(Check if your system has this feature)

Troubleshooting¶

Zip Code Not Working¶

Customer sees "outside service area":

Check zip exists in table
Verify In Range = Yes
Confirm Active = Yes
Check route is active
Verify spelling/format

Wrong Delivery Day¶

Customer assigned wrong route:

Check zip's route assignment
Verify route's day is correct
Look for duplicate zip entries
Check suburb field (some systems)

Routes (admin-edit.php?table=routes) - Route configuration
Customers - View customer zip assignments
Service Area Map - Visual service area display

Quick Reference¶

Task	Action
Add new zip	Add New > Enter zip > Assign route > Save
Change zip's route	Edit zip > Select new route > Save
Enable delivery	Edit zip > In Range = Yes > Save
Disable zip	Edit zip > Active = No > Save
Find zip's route	Search zip code in table
View route's zips	Filter by route

FAQs¶

Can one zip have multiple routes?¶

Generally no, each zip assigned to one route. Some systems support suburbs for this scenario.

What about ZIP+4 codes?¶

Most systems use 5-digit zip codes. ZIP+4 granularity requires custom configuration.

How do we handle border areas?¶

Assign to closest/most efficient route. Consider drive time over pure distance.

Can we change zip's route after customers signed up?¶

Yes, but existing customers keep their route unless manually changed. Only affects new signups.

End of Documentation