How a 3PL Can Help
- May 6, 2025
- Retail Fulfillment
Shipping is often the least glamorous aspect of doing business, but it’s also one of the most important! If customers can’t get your product in time, they won’t be customers for long. Too often, businesses underestimate the complexity of the B2B or D2C order fulfillment process and by the time they figure out they don’t have the knowledge or resources to handle the task themselves, it may be too late!
Whether you’re a small startup with no experience navigating the world of ecommerce or an established company attempting to scale your business, chances are you’re juggling a lot of balls in the air on top of the volatility in the market. Handling daily operations as well as sales and marketing, customer service, and human resources, requires great skill and time.
That’s where a third-party logistics (3PL) provider can help. With expertise in logistics, shipping, and order fulfillment, an ecommerce 3PL handles the complexities of inventory management and warehousing for businesses. An advantage to dedicated fulfillment with a fulfillment account manager is business owners free up time and resources so they can focus on growing their business and serving customers.
What is a 3PL?
Third-party logistics (3PL) providers are an essential part of the supply chain. They provide a full range of services including warehousing and inventory management, order fulfillment, packaging and shipping, transportation, and exchange/returns processing. With the ability to customize their services to meet a business’s specific needs, they help companies stand out from the competition, and that usually translates to more customers and increased revenue.
Why Do Companies Hire 3PLs?
Companies that need logistics help turn to 3PLs to take care of outsourcing and distribution. A 3PL comes with infrastructure in place — including warehousing, staff, technology, and transportation – which saves businesses from spending money they would otherwise need to spend on warehouse space and staffing. When you team up with a 3PL for retailers and wholesalers, you are getting logistics outsourcing benefits from an experienced partner knowledgeable with the B2B (business to business) and D2C (direct to consumer) sectors, that can help streamline your operations and ensure supply chain efficiency so you can focus on growing your business.
Experience & Knowledge Are Key When
Choosing a 3PL
Choosing the right 3PL is a critical decision that directly impacts your customer experience, operational efficiency, and bottom line. The right partner can help you scale seamlessly, avoid costly mistakes, and adapt to changing demand. However, a poor fit can lead to fulfillment delays, inventory errors, and lost sales. That’s why it’s important to evaluate not just pricing, but also experience, technology, and ability to grow with your business when choosing a 3PL. An experienced 3PL brings:
1. Industry expertise. A seasoned 3PL will understand your market’s unique challenges and compliance needs. They act as a partner that brings insights to help you avoid costly mistakes and streamline your operations.
2. Proven processes. A 3PL with experience has well-oiled systems in place to ensure inventory accuracy, efficient and accurate order fulfillment, and a smooth returns process. These established workflows provide consistency, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction.
3. Scalable solutions. Knowledgeable providers can adapt quickly as your business grows or changes. They’re equipped to support your ecommerce business whether you're expanding product lines or entering new markets.
4. Tech integration. A good 3PL can seamlessly connect to your ecommerce platforms with integration technology, such as G10’s proprietary ChannelPoint™ system. This is extremely important as it ensures smooth data flow for real-time inventory tracking, order updates, and performance analytics.
5. Problem-solving ability. An experienced 3PL can anticipate inventory or order processing issues and resolve them fast. This proactive approach minimizes disruptions and keeps your supply chain running efficiently.
Who Outsources With 3PL Providers?
Many industries rely on 3PL partners to help reduce costs and scale operations. These include businesses in the manufacturing, retail, medical, and hospitality industries. Outsourcing to third party logistics providers is especially popular with ecommerce sellers, many of whom don’t have a physical storefront and sell strictly over the internet.
Some 3PLs focus mainly on B2B sales while others concentrate on the D2C market. G10 is unique in that we handle both. And if you’re only interested in warehousing, we’re experts in inventory management, thanks to our proprietary in-house Warehouse Management System (WMS). Whatever your logistics needs, contact us today to learn more about our services.
Download our Free E-Book!
If you found this information helpful, click here to download our free e-book! You’ll get the inside scoop on 3PLs, the questions to ask when seeking out a fulfillment partner, and why you should consider working with G10 Fulfillment.
