5 Things to Consider When Choosing a 3PL
Choosing the right third-party logistics (3PL) provider can make or break your business. Whether you’re a growing e-commerce brand or an established company ready to scale, your logistics partner becomes an extension of your team — one that directly impacts your customer experience, reputation, and bottom line.
Here are five key things to consider before you hand over your orders and inventory.
1. Reliability and Transparency
Your 3PL should feel like a trusted partner, not a mystery. Look for clear communication, reliable systems, and visibility at every step — from receiving stock to final delivery. Real-time tracking, scanning systems, and transparent reporting are essential for accuracy and peace of mind.
Tip: Ask potential providers how they track parcels, handle errors, and report performance metrics.
2. Scalability and Flexibility
Your logistics needs will change as your business grows. A good 3PL can flex with you — scaling up for seasonal peaks, product launches, or sudden growth without missing a beat.
Tip: Choose a partner that offers flexible storage and staffing options so you’re not locked into a rigid model.
3. Alignment with Your Brand Values
Your 3PL isn’t just about boxes and shipping labels — they represent your brand every time an order goes out. If sustainability, ethics, or social impact are important to you, make sure your provider shares those values.
At NextShip, for example, every parcel helps create local youth employment opportunities in the Northern Rivers. When your logistics partner’s values align with yours, every shipment contributes to a bigger purpose.
4. Technology and Integration
Seamless systems matter. Your 3PL should integrate smoothly with your e-commerce platform or order management system — whether that’s Shopify, WooCommerce, or something custom. Modern 3PLs use automation to minimise manual errors and ensure your customers receive fast, accurate updates.
Tip: Ask for a demo of their software to see how orders are tracked and fulfilled.
5. Customer Service and Communication
Even the best systems need great people behind them. A responsive, locally-based team that genuinely cares about your business can make all the difference. When something goes wrong (because sometimes it will), you want a partner who picks up the phone, takes ownership, and fixes it quickly.
Final Thoughts
The best 3PL isn’t just the cheapest or the biggest — it’s the one that understands your brand, your goals, and your customers.
If you’re ready to work with a logistics partner that values purpose as much as performance, we’d love to chat.
