A postal code is a unique identifier of a specific location. It's used to label mailings and documents, and it's an easy way to group addresses together in a systematic manner. In the US, a postal code starts with the first digit, which represents the region of the country. Each of the remaining eight digits then indicates the county or state in which the address is located. The postal code system may vary between countries.
It's also important for businesses. For example, a postal code can differentiate rural areas from urban areas, and a business owner can use this information to improve their services. Many companies use postal codes to target their advertising campaigns to customers based on their zip code. A postal code can also help them determine the most effective way to market to them. The wrong postal code can affect sales and customer satisfaction. In addition, postal codes help companies make sure that addresses are accurate and deliverable.
Postal codes have become a standard for mail delivery. While first introduced in London, they have spread to other European cities. The US postal code system was introduced in the 1920s. Since then, the postal delivery system has undergone several improvements and optimizations, but the origin of the postal code is thought to be London. In London, there were ten districts. These were referred to as "postal districts," and later on, "postal zones" were created.