The Best Third-Party Logistics Providers

In the business world, it is essential to have trustworthy third-party logistics providers. These providers should help you with your shipping needs. These providers can help you with everything. They can provide storage and logistics services. Also, they can handle your shipping paperwork and processing. This article will show some of the best third-party logistics providers of 2023.

What Is A Third-Party Logistics Company?

You may outsource order fulfillment and other supply chain services to 3PL businesses.These are better options than picking, packing, and shipping orders. E-commerce companies may concentrate on expanding their operations. They do so by keeping merchandise in the warehouse(s) of a 3PL. It is rather than having to make investments in machinery, property, and buildings. Also, investments in supplies, personnel, and technology are required to self-fulfill orders.

What Are Third-Party Logistics Uses?

The term third-party logistics (or 3PL) describes the outsourcing of eCommerce logistical operations.These operations include inventory management, warehousing, and fulfillment, to a third-party company. 3PL providers enable them to achieve more. They do so by providing eCommerce retailers with the needed infrastructure and tools. These tools enable them to automate retail order fulfillment.

The phrase “third-party logistics” may not have been used in the 1970s and 1980s. Businesses started to outsource their incoming and outbound logistical needs to outside parties. The term 3PL has become commonplace. The reason is the development and growth of eCommerce in the 1990s and 2000s. And 3PLs have increased the scope of their offerings. Third-party logistics describes the supply chain integration of warehouse operations and transportation services.

How To Choose The Right Third-Party Logistics For Your Needs

By this point, working with a 3PL provider may seem like a no-brainer. The reason is that it may help your firm save time and money. It does so while devoting resources to product development, marketing, and company expansion.

The alternatives, however, might appear limitless when selecting a 3PL firm. They should manage order fulfillment for your online business.

It is crucial to choose a fulfillment firm you can rely on. They should be able to manage your inventory. And can offer a satisfying client experience. And they must assist you in expanding your business.

Here are three inquiries to ensure choosing the right integrated freight management services.

Do your needs require more than basics?

Pick a solution when outsourcing order fulfillment. This solution should be beyond the conventional pick, pack, and ship paradigm. It indicates that 3PL collaborates with every component of the retail supply chain. It is rather than just assisting one discrete step in the fulfillment process.

This is a cutting-edge method of fulfillment.

It may help your company decide on supply and demand more intelligently.

And it can provide your clients with a better overall experience.

How does their technology work?

Find technology that works for you. Also, one that works for you. Doing so is one of the most crucial factors in selecting a fulfillment solution.

Two technological components need to be on the lookout for:

1. How is your online business will be connected to the 3PL technology?
2. How the 3PL software assists you in using data

What we refer to as a tech-enabled 3PL composes of these two components. Tech-enabled 3PL is a technology company. It has created efficient, integrated shipping and fulfillment solutions. It does so for online enterprises.

The 3PL technology assists with everything. And it includes automation and order and inventory management.

They also help in monitoring orders and manage e-commerce returns.

These features are in addition to traditional fulfillment services.

These services include warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping.

Where are their 3PL fulfillment centers?

We are referring to the location of 3PL headquarters when discussing location considerations. Additionally, you should know how many fulfillment facilities the 3PL owns and manages. Also, you should know their locations.

Using this data, you may decide whether you can provide your consumers with 3PL shipping solutions.

These solutions include the quickest delivery times and lowest costs.

As was already noted, your shipping strategy can influence the location of 3PL warehouses.

They incorporate distributed inventory and a two-day shipment.

The Best Third-Party Logistics Providers Of 2023

ShipBob

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment specialist ShipBob works with e-commerce companies of all sizes. ShipBob assists retailers with managing inventory, anticipating demand, and packing orders. They also help by cutting down on delivery times and meeting consumer expectations.

We own and manage a nationwide network of fulfillment locations. Our unique software is incredibly user-friendly and straightforward. It interfaces with popular e-commerce sites.

Warehouses: Your packages may reach clients more quickly than ever. Because of the coast-to-coast warehouses located both domestically and internationally. ShipBob has an extensive network of fulfillment centers. They allow you to disperse your merchandise while lowering your shipping costs. The reason is that more warehouse sites are coming every year. Starting in one warehouse, you may grow into several as your order volume rises or as you enter new markets.

Software and Analytics: The software from ShipBob has been lauded for being straightforward. This feature makes it simple to assess business and logistics performance. Advanced reporting enables you to analyze your supply chain management. Also, you may analyze fulfillment processes in-depth. Doing so enables you to learn more about how quickly goods are selling, and the number of inventory days on hand. You will also learn the average cart value by the shipping method chosen and other factors.

Partners: ShipBob offers partners in marketing services, taxes, freight forwarders, finance, and returns. It also offers partners in customer support, packaging, and much more. Doing so assist your eCommerce business in growing, expanding, and improving everything. You can improve your business from your website to your customer experience.

Discounts: ShipBob has negotiated shipping discounts with USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL. By doing this, they can satisfy all of your shipping needs, both domestically and internationally. In comparison to shipping through these carriers on your own, working with ShipBob will result in lower overall shipping costs.

Integrations: All leading e-commerce platforms are compatible with ShipBob. These platforms include Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Squarespace, and many more. We provide custom integrations through our Developer API.

Customer Service: ShipBob offers thorough implementation. It is along with phone and email assistance. Doing so assists them with problem-solving and provides information. Businesses at ShipBob can also benefit from a dedicated account manager. They offer better strategic direction.

Red Stag

Red Stag is a US-based company. It offers order fulfillment services for online stores. They are experts in transporting bulky objects that need special treatment.

Warehouses: In the heart of the US, Red Stag operates two warehousing facilities.

Software: Like the bulk of leading 3PL systems, Red Stag makes use of cloud-based technology. By doing this, you may access your data and reports at any time from any device.

Partners: Red Stag collaborates with several top e-commerce sites. To marginally lower the cost of shipping bigger things, they also have a partnership with FedEx.

Discounts: Red Stag offers shipping rates for several carriers specializing in large delivery.

Integrations: The Red Stag platform interfaces with top e-commerce platforms. These platforms include eBay, Amazon, and Shopify, among others. An API is available to access custom integrations.

Customer Service: Red Stag provides minimal email help along with phone service.

FedEx

The biggest corporation on this list is FedEx. They own and run a network of warehouses as one of the leading shipping carriers in the US to assist you in delivering goods to clients fast. As a result of the magnitude of their network, they mostly work with major corporations. Small and medium-sized enterprises generally won’t operate with FedEx.

Warehouses: The most varied US warehouse network is that of FedEx. FedEx makes use of both its warehouses and carrier sorting facilities to its advantage because they have a wide variety of warehouses dispersed around the nation.

Software: The software from FedEx is more suited for large enterprises and is pretty simple to use.

Partners: In addition to its transportation services, FedEx offers a wide range of partners.

Discounts: FedEx provides savings for shipments carried out via its network. There are no savings offered for using different delivery companies.

Integrations: Only a few FedEx connections are accessible to online retailers. To integrate FedEx’s API with your e-commerce platform, you will need to enlist the aid of a developer.

Customer Service: FedEx only offers phone help during certain business hours. Email assistance is offered, however, there are restrictions on how they may assist you. In general, calling FedEx’s phone assistance is essentially your only choice if you want customer care.

Rakuten

An inventory management solution that is cloud-based is provided by Rakuten Super Logistics. Most places in the US can receive it in one to two days.

Warehouses: In the US, Rakuten has five warehouses located from coast to coast.

Software: Rakuten’s software is really easy to use, much like the majority of the 3PLs on our list. Your data is cloud-based, so you can access it from any device.

Partners: For your company, Rakuten has a wide network of partners. The Rakuten Marketplace also provides additional partner options. These options are for e-commerce companies looking to expand their sales channels.

Discounts: Different carriers are eligible for discounts. Shipping reductions have been arranged by Rakuten with USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Integrations: The majority of e-commerce platforms are compatible with Rakuten. It includes Shopify, eBay, Amazon, BigCommerce, and others 

Customer Service: Rakuten offers minimal email assistance and phone help.

Fulfyld

A more recent 3PL that focuses on e-commerce fulfillment, Fulfyld, may assist you in efficiently filling orders.

Warehouses: Alabama is the only US site for Fulfyld.

Software: The program interfaces with your e-commerce site and is generally simple to use, like most third-party logistics companies.

Partners: Because Fulfyld is still a young company, they have a small number of partners. They still need time to work with possible partners because they concentrate on small businesses..

Discounts: Discounts are offered for several carriers, including FedEx, UPS, USPS, and a few more.

Integrations: The majority of the leading e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, eBay, and others, are compatible with Fulfyld.

Customer Service: The primary method of help is through the phone. Additionally, some email help is offered.

Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA)

For marketplace sellers, Amazon also provides a fulfillment service. It aids in the shipment of goods as they are sold.

Warehouses: Amazon has the largest warehouse space network in the US. And it is expanding annually, with over 70 fulfillment centers.

Software: Utilizing Amazon’s fulfillment software is not too difficult.

Partners: To collaborate with, Amazon has a sizable partner network. For their delivery network, they recently severed their relations with FedEx. And they are currently establishing their shipping service that depends on contract drivers. Since the drivers may not be held to the same high standards as the other carriers. Expect some growing pains with this business.

Discounts: Discounts are offered for a variety of carriers, such as FedEx, USPS, UPS, DHL, and others. In addition, Amazon’s carrier network ought to result in future shipping cost savings.

Integrations: Some businesses have developed connectors for the FBA platform. Doing so makes it simpler to handle because of Amazon’s extensive partner network.

Customer Service: Amazon provides live chat, email, and phone assistance.

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