The Ultimate Guide to 3PL Shipping Options for Small Businesses

Operating a little venture involves making hard decisions daily. The biggest? What will be the shipping method? If you are considering 3PL shipping options for your small business, you are not alone. More and more businesses are relying on third-party logistics partners to do the hard work for them.

What Makes 3PL Shipping So Important for Small Businesses Today?

The demand for online shopping is on the rise, and customers are expecting nothing less than fast delivery and perfectly accurate tracking. Small businesses are experiencing the same pressure from every direction. You are in direct competition with those companies that operate with complete warehouses and shipping departments.

Why Are Small Businesses Turning to 3PLs Earlier Than Ever?

The total cost of executing everything in-house is becoming too heavy for small businesses to bear. Space, personnel, and time for negotiating with carriers are among the resources you need to allocate. 3PLs handle storage, packing, and shipping. You get to use their systems without making the initial investment.

What Problems Does a 3PL Actually Solve Day to Day?

Consider the daily shipping troubles that drive you crazy. You run out of boxes, spend hours comparing carrier rates, have no clear system, and returns are piling up. An efficient 3PL partner will relieve you and give you opportunities to expand your business.

What Are the Core 3PL Shipping Options Available Right Now?

Not all 3PL services are similar.

• Full-Service Fulfillment: The vendor stores your products in his/her warehouse. They also handle the entire process, from picking to shipping, for the products.

• Hybrid Models: The vendor handles some sales, whereas the owner keeps a portion of the stock in-house and ships the rest to the third-party logistics provider (3PL).

• Technology-Only Solutions: While some platforms offer you discounted carrier rates, your products are not in their storage.

Which 3PL Services Matter Most When You're Just Starting Out?

New businesses need the flexibility offered by small vendors. Thus, they should engage in constant rate shopping in various markets. Every cent saved is invested back into the company. The shipping options 3PL providers offer to small businesses should include real-time carrier comparisons.

How Do Carriers, Integrations, and Rate Shopping Fit Together?

Your e-commerce store must be in constant communication with your logistics partner. Good integrations allow orders to flow automatically. No manual entry of data. Just efficient transfers from sale to shipping.

How to Determine the 3PL Shipping Model That Best Suits Your Business?

The volume of your orders narrates the tale. If you are shipping 10 orders each week, full-service may not be necessary. If orders exceed 100, it is time to consider outsourcing.

At What Point Should a Company Transition from In-House Shipping to 3PL?

Your order volume tells the story.  You will have to store the extra goods outside your premises soon. The shipping process consumes most of your working hours. You miss out on wholesale orders because of your logistics limitations.

Which Features Should You Emphasize for Future Growth?

Consider the next two years. Is your current arrangement capable of managing 5 times the volume? Search for small business 3PL shipping solutions that can grow with you. Learning how warehouse management systems support growth becomes essential as your operation matures.

Why Is Technology Still the Major Advantage in 3PL Shipping Today?

In eCommerce, speed and accuracy are the winning factors. Fulfillment processes today depend on software that not only automates the monotonous but also detects errors before they become issues.

What Is the Function of a Smart Rate-Shopping System Behind the Scenes?

There are several carriers for each shipment. The intelligent system that checks for all these options gathers small businesses using 3PL shipping. It selects the lowest-priced option that meets your delivery commitment.

How Do APIs and Integrations Help Small Teams with Less Manual Work?

APIs are the connection between the different software systems. Your store is communicating with your fulfillment software. The syncing is done automatically. One person is able to handle what would have required three people previously.

How Can a Platform Like Ours Streamline 3PL Shipping for Small Businesses?

The idea of ShipGenius arose from our personal experiences. We had tried running ecommerce businesses along with warehouse management.

• ShipGenius Lite is quick in label creation. No more monthly fees and discounted rates from the major carriers.

• Integration Manager bridges your store, carriers, and systems. Say goodbye to switching between tabs.

• The OMS will make ordering easier for you across all the platforms. One dashboard for Amazon, your website, Etsy, etc.

• The Cartonization API will determine the right box size. It will help to save on shipping and materials.

What Makes Centralized Shipping Tools Valuable for Growing Brands?

Improvement of such a nature can be justified only by good, accurate decision-making, which is always the case when everything is consolidated in one place. You are getting the information about the most frequently shipped products. Also, you are learning about the best-performing carriers. Thus, the entire process of enhancing your business is supported by that transparency.

How Does Our Platform Support 3PLs Handling Multiple Clients?

The WMS we plan to implement will allow 3PLs to manage multiple clients through a single interface. Our small-business shipping 3PL options also include warehouse management.

What Should Small Businesses Consider When Selecting a 3PL Partner?

3PL companies differ from one another in many aspects. First, think about your business's needs. Same-day delivery? Global distribution? Returns processing?

What Queries Should Be Raised Before Entering Into A Contract With Any 3PL?

Be exact in terms of features and services. Find out the accuracy percentage. What is the procedure for handling errors? What is their capacity during busy seasons? Is your platform integrated? 

How Do You Assess Pricing Options and Unseen Expenses?

Be wary of pricing that is too good to be true. Some 3PLs promote low costs but end up with a long list of additional charges. The shipping options for small businesses via 3PL partners should be clear.

What Do Small Businesses Looking at 3PL Shipping Options Have in Common?

Besides the fact that there are more options now than ever before, it is technology that has driven up fulfillment quality and positively impacted costs as well.

• Find the perfect method that suits your needs exactly. Not every business requires full-service 3PL from the very beginning. Others, however, only require better rates and tools.

• Take it from your current position. Use rate-shopping tools. Utilize automated label creation. Link your store to shipping software.

If you are looking for modern, flexible shipping tools with no commitment, we are here for you. ShipGenius provides all services, including simple label printing and complete warehouse management.

Would you like to find out how much you can save? Start with the free ShipGenius Lite or contact us to discuss your needs.

FAQs

Q: What is a 3PL, and how does it work for small businesses?

A: A 3PL (third-party logistics provider) handles shipping and fulfillment for your business. They store your products, pack orders when customers buy, and ship them out. You focus on sales while they handle the logistics.

Q: How much does 3PL shipping cost for small businesses?

A: Costs vary based on storage space, order volume, and services needed. Most 3PLs charge per-order fees (usually $3-8), monthly storage fees, and receiving fees. Always ask for a complete breakdown to avoid hidden charges.

Q: When should I switch from in-house shipping to a 3PL?

A: Consider a 3PL when you're shipping 100+ orders monthly, running out of storage space, or spending more time packing than growing your business. If fulfillment is taking over your day, it's time to explore options.

Q: Can I use a 3PL if I only ship a few orders per week?

A: Yes. Many 3PLs now work with low-volume shippers. You can also use technology-only platforms like ShipGenius Lite to get discounted shipping rates without warehousing your products.

Q: What's the difference between full-service 3PL and shipping software?

A: Full-service 3PLs store and ship your products for you. Shipping software gives you tools and discounted rates, but you still handle packing and shipping yourself. Choose based on your volume and available time.