Evaluate location relative to feeder ports and end customers, WMS integration and API capabilities, throughput and peak capacity, SLA for order cycle times and accuracy, value-added services (kitting, returns, labeling), insurance and liability terms, and client references in similar verticals.

Prioritize proximity to coastal shipping lanes and regional port feeders, quality of road links for last-mile delivery, availability of intermodal transfer points, in-warehouse handling equipment and dock capacity, and established relationships with domestic carriers and LTL networks.

Smaller brands leverage shared warehousing to access tiered pricing, reduce fixed overhead, and scale capacity on demand. Look for 3PLs with transparent billing, low minimums, consolidated shipping options and the ability to provide near-real-time inventory visibility to control working capital.

Include measurable KPIs such as order lead time, picking accuracy, inventory reconciliation cadence, chargeback structures for SLA breaches, audit rights, data access and reporting frequency, insurance coverage and clear termination and transition clauses to avoid operational disruption.