What Should I Look for in an eCommerce 3PL?

Look What to look for in an eCommerce 3PL partner

If you’re ready to scale and grow your e-commerce business, finding the right eCommerce 3pl partner to support your needs and increasing demands is the next step. If in-house logistics, shipping, and supply chain management are no longer feasible, it may be time to start working with a trusted partner. Direct-to-consumer fulfillment can be challenging so it is important to work with partners with experience

So, where do you begin? 

While your search for a 3PL provider takes off, selecting the right vendor can significantly impact the future success of your business. We’re sharing some key things to consider and look for when choosing the best e-commerce 3PL provider and order fulfillment services for your business.

How to Find the Best eCommerce 3PL Provider

Experience

Experience is everything when it comes to the right eCommerce 3PL provider. A partner with a good reputation and extensive industry experience will bring more value and better solutions to their partners like you. 

Learning about the experience of the 3PL’s leadership team can tell you a lot about the company, its values, and the mission of its operation. You’ll want to select a partner familiar with your industry and who understands how to serve your clients best. While every eCommerce company is different, the nuances of each vertical can help a provider better understand your unique needs. 

Organization and Safety

An unorganized warehouse facility leads to delays, mistakes, and ultimately an inadequate representation of your business. When searching for an eCommerce 3PL partner, consider the partner’s organization and safety

Be sure to ask about their processes for picking, packing, shipping, and tracking orders. Their facility’s organization can directly tie in with how reliable and efficient they will be. Your 3PL provider should also follow safety guidelines to protect client inventory, warehouse workers, and consumers. You can even ask for a wide variety of photos, videos, or a tour of the facility to see what goes on behind the scenes. 

Customer Service

For any eCommerce business, reputation is everything, and your customers’ experiences are no doubt top priority. Handling returns, exchanges, and refunds are as important as selling a product and processing orders. 

Even if your small business may not offer 24/7 support, a third-party logistics partner may be able to on your behalf. Be sure to ask about each provider’s approach to customer service and how they represent the brand on your behalf. 

Multiple warehousing locations

To get the job done quickly and efficiently, you will want to work with a fulfillment partner that offers multiple warehousing locations, so products ship out fast. Ecommerce transportation and fulfillment solutions that run efficiently create a substantial positive impact on the business and their customers. 

At BR Williams, we can get the job done quickly and efficiently with our network of fulfillment centers and distribution warehouses in Alabama, including one facility located just 10 minutes from the Port of Mobile that spans over 1.7 million square feet. 

Scalability

For many startups and small eCommerce companies, logistics get handled in-house initially. Still, as the companies grow and expand, physical space and experience can become an issue for fulfilling orders. In addition, shipping delays, disappointed customers, and inventory management can be big headaches as businesses scale in-house. 

By choosing to work with an experienced 3PL provider, they can handle fulfillment promptly, regardless of the number of orders. They can also help reduce inventory in your space by using their warehouses and even cut your costs for slower months.  

Reliability and Proven results

Sure, any 3PL provider can say all the right answers and look great from the outside, but reliability and proven results are key. You’ll want to work with a partner who can back up what they say with a portfolio of happy customers, positive data, and proven reliability. 

At BR Williams, we understand how critical the eCommerce warehousing and order fulfillment service we provide is to our customers – and our customers’ customers. While some companies only talk the talk, our eCommerce fulfillment services are backed up by reliability and proven results that keep your customers happy. 

Find the Best eCommerce 3pl Partner for Your Business

Ready to scale your eCommerce business and get to work with a partner you can trust? BR Williams is always here to help you grow. Our 100% USA eCommerce fulfillment services are ready to help you succeed and get your product to the right place at the right time. 

Learn more about our eCommerce 3PL services or get a free quote today!

Get in Touch with Us

Have questions or ready to streamline your logistics? Reach out to us now, and our experts will provide personalized solutions to optimize your supply chain.

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(256) 831-5580