Prioritize location relative to ports and major corridors, WMS capabilities and integration, throughput and storage scalability, temperature control if required, pick-pack accuracy, defined SLAs with penalties, labor availability and training, and transparent cost-per-order modeling. Verify references and run a technology integration test before committing.

Transportation costs and carrier density impact both average transit times and variability. Greater carrier frequency and multimodal options reduce safety-stock needs and landed cost; limited carrier options raise freight premiums and extend lead times. Model landed cost using local freight rates, transit-time distributions, and inventory carrying costs to quantify impact.

Evaluate scalable racking and floor layouts, segmented temperature-controlled zones, cross-dock and rapid-receive lanes, automation or semi-automation for pick/pack, kitting and returns handling, labeling and custom packaging, and integrated last-mile partnerships to maintain service levels across channels.

Use KPI scorecards (on-time delivery, order accuracy, dock-to-stock times), request historical SLA performance and penalties, conduct site visits and audits, run pilot volumes or test orders, review contingency plans for peak seasons and disruptions, and validate API connectivity and reporting cadence.