Prioritize warehouse footprint, clear yard and trailer parking, dock capacity, cross-dock throughput, and available racking. Also assess inventory management systems, EDI/WMS integrations, SLA targets for pick/pack/ship, and the 3PL's carrier network to ensure alignment with service and scalability needs.

Transit times and carrier coverage directly influence delivery windows and shipping cost. Local 3PLs with strong regional carrier ties can reduce last-mile transit, enable lower zone-based rates, and improve on-time delivery—critical for fast eCommerce promise dates and predictable B2B replenishment cycles.

Model landed cost components including per-sq-ft rent, labor productivity and wages, fuel surcharges, local taxes, and inbound/outbound carrier rates. Include handling fees, storage density impacts, and potential value-added service charges to compare true landed and fulfillment unit costs.

Require a WMS with real-time inventory visibility, API/EDI connectivity for order orchestration, barcode scanning, and reporting. Value-added services to look for include kitting, returns processing, temperature-controlled storage if needed, and scalable labor pools to manage seasonality and promotional peaks.