So. For whatever reason, you're thinking of switching to a new 3PL – one that will take care of logistics while you stay focused on building your brand.

Before you fall for the first partner you meet, there are a few things to keep in mind. Join us for a quick guide to successful 3PL hunting.

Do they specialise in your industry?

This might sound super-obvious – but your 3PL needs to be suitable to your sector.

Goods from all sectors need to be stored in a clean, safe environment – so look out for CCTV and any other safety measures in place.

But the needs of an organic veg subscription company are clearly going to be different from those of an exercise bike manufacturer. These needs should be reflected in your choice of warehouse space.

Do you need a variety of shelf sizes? How about environmental controls over temperature or light?

Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure your new logistics partner has got your industry-specific needs covered.

Are they scalable?

If you're looking to switch 3PLs, you're clearly no spring chicken. Whether you started in your spare room or with seed capital to invest in your own warehouse space, you've reached the conclusion that outsourcing storage and fulfilment is the right move for you.

And with any luck, you'll continue to grow. If that's the case, you need a logistics partner who can grow with you.

A 3PL that's tight on space isn't going to be able to respond to your storage needs as you expand – so make sure you work with someone with a spacious warehouse and the flexibility to scale up.

Is its WMS up to snuff?

A key advantage of outsourcing logistics is reaping the benefits of a warehouse management system (WMS). There are two sides to this – keeping lines of communication open between you, the warehouse and your customers, and furnishing you with juicy data and analytics that can help drive your decisions.

First, there's communication. You don't need us to tell you that dispatching an order when you're out of stock is a logistical headache that will probably lose you a customer. That's why you need access to a WMS that can give you real-time updates on stock levels.

On top of that, online shoppers have high standards – really high standards. They've been spoiled by the Age of Amazon and expect seamless delivery as the default.

A 3PL with a decent WMS will be able to notify customers automatically at every stage of their journey – so no one gets let down.

The other reason to make sure your 3PL has a state-of-the-art WMS is to give you access to all that lovely data they're storing. Not sure whether to keep going with a product or alter stock levels? Good analytics will help you to decide.

And you're not just outsourcing warehouse management and data analysis – you're also outsourcing IT. No late nights updating software for you – your 3PL will take care of that.

Do they offer custom packaging options?

Your packaging is part of your brand. It's one of the things that can make you stand out in a sea of competitors. So you need a 3PL that can be flexible about packaging.

Whatever your aesthetic, you shouldn't have to make compromises. And the same applies to kitting – those BOGOFs and bundles that keep customers coming back for more.

You also want a provider who can print flyers, custom inserts, coupons, thank you notes – all those little touches that help forge a relationship with your customers.

Don't let your brand down with standardised packaging – make sure you choose a 3PL that has the flexibility and resources to help you realise your vision.

Do they offer same-day dispatch?

There are many things about modern life that seem too good to be true (AirDrop, anyone?) but we've come to expect. One of these is same-day dispatch, largely thanks to Amazon's domination of online retail.

Whatever level you're at, you need to meet these expectations. One way to do this is by ensuring that the customer journey is as close to the big league as possible, regardless of your market share.

Pairing up with a 3PL that offers same-day dispatch can give you the edge over other SMEs and keep your customers coming back for more – so check that this is a service your logistics partner provides before you seal the deal.

Do they handle returns?

Returns – or "reverse logistics" – can be an undervalued part of retail. You might think that a customer return is a dead sale – but a smooth returns policy can mean you don't necessarily lose them for good.

A good logistics partner should be able to handle returns for you – and that includes keeping everyone in the loop via automated emails. You, the customer and the warehouse all need to be on the same page to keep the possibility of customer dissatisfaction to a bare minimum.

On top of this, a returns policy demonstrates that sustainability is a priority for you – and at a time when around a third of consumers opt for sustainable brands, you'd be crazy not to.

Do they integrate smoothly with your eCommerce platform?

Partnering with a 3PL is about outsourcing a service – not making a wholesale change to your day-to-day operations.

So before you choose your new partner, check that they can integrate with your eCommerce platform of choice. At the very least, they should be able to do so with the most popular platforms – Shopify, WooCommerce and the rest.

But a really good 3PL will offer something more – an API that allows you to create an integration.

Don't waste valuable time switching platforms just to meet the limitations of your 3PL – choose one that's ready to take you on, whatever webstore you use.

At Stowsafe Fulfilment, we provide all the above services – and more. If you're looking for an online fulfilment service, please don't hesitate to get in touch.