Prioritize operational fit: available cubic feet and clear height, dock and cross‑dock throughput, WMS capabilities and integration options, SLA commitments (lead times, pick accuracy), labor flexibility for peaks, value‑added services (kitting, returns), and carrier connectivity for your primary lanes.

Carrier density and proximity to highways, rail, and air gateways reduce zone counts and LTL charges, shorten transit times, and enable zone‑skipping. That lowers last‑mile costs and improves consistency of delivery promises—critical for two‑day eCommerce and time‑sensitive B2B shipments.

Require a modern WMS with real‑time inventory visibility, standardized APIs or EDI for order flows, barcode/RFID traceability, event notifications for shipment milestones, and reporting dashboards. Confirm support for your OMS and marketplaces to minimize reconciliation effort.

Pricing often mixes per‑pick, storage per cubic foot, inbound handling, and monthly minimums. Understand how surge labor, seasonal storage, and returns handling escalate costs. Model cost‑to‑serve by SKU velocity and peak demand to compare total landed fulfillment expense across providers.