Prioritize carrier connectivity, transit times to core markets, bonded or temperature-controlled capability, WMS/TMS integration, SLA performance metrics, and cost-per-order analysis. Also review seasonal flexibility, value-added services (kitting/returns), and security/compliance credentials relevant to your product mix.

Build a cost-to-serve model that includes landed shipping rates, pick-and-pack labor, storage per pallet/sku, inbound receiving costs, returns handling, and platform fees. Compare scenario-based throughput, peak-season labor surcharges, and average order profile to estimate true unit economics across providers.

Look for WMS with real-time inventory visibility, API-based order and shipment connectivity, EDI or marketplace integrations, batch/ASN handling, and reporting dashboards. Confirm ability to support inventory segmentation, lot/serial tracking, and automated carrier rate shopping for multichannel flows.

Assess single-point-of-failure exposures, labor stability, disaster resilience, carrier concentration, and customs clearance performance. Mitigate via multi-node inventory strategies, contractual SLAs with penalties, contingency plans for peak demand, and regular operational audits or site visits.