Request measurable KPIs: order accuracy, perfect order rate, average pick-to-ship time, on-time carrier handoffs, and inventory accuracy. Also ask for SLA remedies, reporting cadence, and examples of continuous improvement initiatives to ensure transparency and operational accountability.

Warehouse proximity to arterial roads and carrier hubs reduces FTL/LTL mileage and last-mile surcharges, lowering landed cost. Consider lead times to major customer clusters, frequency of scheduled pickups, and multi-carrier capability—these factors directly impact transit cost and service reliability.

Prioritize WMS integration, real-time inventory visibility, barcode/RFID capability, scalable racking, and cross-dock capacity. If selling temperature-sensitive items, require validated cold-chain systems. Evaluate integration APIs for your storefront and shipping carriers to maintain seamless order flow and reduce exceptions.