Given the modern conditions of the e-commerce environment and growing customer demands, order fulfillment is considered to be one of the key performance indicators. Choosing the right third-party logistics company might be the breakthrough your Shopify store needs for its shipping system. This article presents the top 3PL providers that offer reliable and effective logistics services that are suitable for your business.

Through the use of 3PL services, companies can effectively manage the logistics function of their business and at the same reduce the cost. It is now common knowledge that many companies have realized that entering into partnership with the 3PL providers has helped to reduce their overall logistics costs. Explore the options available to improve your e-commerce fulfillment process.

Understanding Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

‍Third-party logistics (3PL) is the process of delegating your logistics and supply chain management operations to other companies. This means that you will not have to worry about the shipping or the warehousing and order fulfillment on your own. This way you can keep your product at their facilities and this will help in faster delivery.

A 3PL partner enables you to address the logistics issues and leverage tools and platforms such as Shopify to focus on other core business operations. This not only helps in the coordination of work but also taps the experience of logistics specialists to improve the flow and reliability of the product delivery.

How 3PL Functions

• Receiving and Storing Inventory: Your inventory is received and stored in a 3PL facility. Every item is identified by SKU and this is the point where logistics responsibility begins.
• Order Notification: If you have integrated your Shopify store with the 3PL, the 3PL gets notified instantly whenever there is an order placed. This integration helps to improve the order processing.
• Order Fulfillment:Warehouse staff is responsible for picking and packing the orders. They utilize various materials such as boxes and labels to ensure clarity for the customer
• Shipping: After orders are ready, they are forwarded to shipping carriers. Most of the third party logistics providers provide a number of carrier options to make it easy for you and your customers.
• Tracking Shipments: When the shipping carrier fulfills the orders, it assigns tracking codes that are integrated into your Shopify store for convenience.
• Handling Returns: Your 3PL partner can help with returns and exchanges, assisting in those functions for your business.

Advantages of Partnering with Top 3PL Providers for Shopify

• Streamlined Logistics: The top 3PL providers improve order fulfillment to help your Shopify store get the most efficient and accurate shipping services.
• Adaptability: These services allow your business to grow without having to worry about how it will manage when the workload increases.
• Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing to 3PLs can reduce costs by streamlining activities and reducing the costs of running overheads.
• Concentrate on Core Activities: The 3PL providers will take care of the inventory management, packing and shipping, which means you can focus on your core business.
• Protection Against Supply Chain Issues: Partnering with a credible 3PL company ensures that your business avoids any risks from global risks that could affect your supply chain operations through stable and pre-negotiated contracts.
• Global Market Entry: It becomes easy to venture into the international markets as the 3PL partner deals with paperwork, storage, and legal issues.
• Enhanced Customer Experience: Efficient and timely order fulfillment enhances customer satisfaction which leads to customer retention and recommendation.
• Efficient Returns Management: Good quality top-tier 3PL services manage returns and exchanges effectively, which enhances your service delivery standards.

Top 11 Best 3PL Providers for Shopify

1) Ship With Mina

Ship With Mina has been in the business of offering innovative logistics solutions for more than two decades. Their cutting-edge, proprietary AI helps in the efficient handling and processing of orders to meet fast and dependable delivery.

Key Features:

• AI-Driven Fulfillment: Their intelligent system enhances order accuracy and expedites processing, even allowing for same-day handling.
• Customized Strategies: You receive focused analysis that corresponds to your objectives to make the right decisions based on the data.
• Cost Efficiency: The key in improving your profitability is to provide excellent service while at the same time not breaking the bank.
• Faster Shipping Options: It also provides exclusive shipping lines for fast and efficient delivery at reasonable shipping costs.
• Seamless Integration with Shopify: Their platform is fully integrated, which does not cause many interferences with the workflow.
• Product Sourcing Expertise: They help in transforming your products from concept to the marketplace through specific sourcing services.
• Global Fulfillment Approach: Provides services for both B2C and B2B transactions.
• Quality Assurance: It underlines ISO 9001 accreditation that demonstrates their adherence to the high standards.

2) DHL

Rating: 4.3/5

DHL is one of the largest logistics companies with its operations in 22 countries and it has 1,400 warehouses. They have a number of shipping services which include air, ocean, road and rail transport.

Key Features:

• Global Reach: DHL has a dependable service delivery network that guarantees delivery of consignments across the globe.
• Advanced Tracking: Latest tracking technologies to give you an immediate report on the location of your shipment. 
• Customized Solutions: Specialized logistics to address individual company’s needs and improve supply chain integrated processes.

3) ShipBob

Rating: 3.6/5

ShipBob specialises in e-commerce logistics and is based in Australia, UK, Canada, the US, and Europe. They have over 30 warehouses as a stepping stone to its effective management.

Key Features:

• Integration: Fully compatible with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce among others.
• Automated Fulfillment: It helps in streamlining the inventory management and shipping procedures which cuts down on manual work.
• Distributed Warehousing: A strategically positioned inventory can lead to quicker delivery.

4) FedEx

Rating: N/A

FedEx has a global logistics network and closely located numerous warehouses to serve the needs of its clients. They offer very convenient shipping services for any business whether small, medium or large size.

Key Features:

• Global Network: Through this, FedEx offer efficient logistic services on an international level.
• Variety of Shipping Options: Serves customers with express, standard and a range of other shipping options.
• Comprehensive Services: It caters to order fulfillment, warehouse, and reverse logistics for a complete e-commerce solution.

5) Omni Logistics

Rating: N/A

Omni Logistics specialises in providing services in the retail, high-tech and medical device industries. They have their network across more than 100 warehouses in the United States, Asia, Mexico, and Europe.

Key Features:

• Targeted Solutions: Services that are targeted at the retail and high tech sectors of the market.
• Custom Warehousing: There are many different storage solutions for individuals depending on the industry they are in.
• Freight Forwarding: Provides efficient transport services in their respective fields of operation.

6) Shipwire

Rating: 4.7/5

Shipwire has over four decades of logistics management, overseeing orders in 164 countries from 30 facilities. They also link well with more than 200 marketplaces.

Key Features:

• International Operations: A good international outreach helps in the smooth running of the logistics.
• Fulfillment Streamlining: Aims at achieving efficiency in its operations right from the time of order placement to delivery.
• Multi-Channel Support: The system easily integrates with several sales channels to provide the optimum in order management flexibility

7) Shipmonk

Rating: 4.⅕

Shipmonk offers fulfillment services in the UK, the US, Canada, and Mexico. It serves different industries such as retail and crowdfunding.

Key Features:

• Smart Fulfillment Processes: Advanced procedures are employed to expedite order and avoid mistakes in the order processing system.
• Channel Integration:Centralizes order management for diverse sales channels
• Flexible Storage Solutions: Flexible warehousing depending on the stock requirements.

8) ShipHype

Rating: 4.8/5

ShipHype is a supply chain management application that connects with more than 100 shopping websites and apps like Shopify and Amazon. It has many distribution centers in the US and Canada.

Key Features:

• Integration Flexibility: Compatible with many shopping carts and also various marketplaces.
• Supply Chain Efficiency: It is used to improve the overall logistics flow.
• Marketplace Connectivity: Offers links to the big market places that play a role in order fulfillment.

9) ShipNetwork

Rating: ⅘

Formerly known as Rakuten, ShipNetwork provides a diverse package of services for online entrepreneurs in need of seamless logistics.

Key Features:

• Marketplace Integration: Effectively link up with the global market and increase your customer base.
• Comprehensive Shipping Services: Covers fulfillment, returns management, and various logistical solutions.
• Commitment to Efficiency: Offers to deliver orders within 1-2 days with a high order completion rate.

10) Total Quality Logistics

Rating: N/A

Total Quality Logistics (TQL) stands out as a valuable partner for Shopify users, specifically for routes within the US and Canada.

Key Features:

• Scaling Support: Provides resources for growing Shopify e-commerce businesses.
• Robust Warehouse Network: Over 1,400 warehouses equipped with modern technologies for efficient fulfillment.
• E-Commerce Integration: Connects with more than 50 platforms for streamlined operations.

11) Red Stag Fulfillment

Rating: 4.5/5

Red Stag Fulfillment is a good choice for new businesses because it has free storage for the first 90 days. They offer quality third party logistics support that is suitable for most of the e-commerce websites.

Key Features:

• Free Storage for New Clients: Attracts first-time businesses with competitive storage offers.
• Streamlined Operations: Helps in the generation of fast and efficient order fulfillment.
• Multi-Platform Compatibility: Fully compatible with a range of other e-commerce platforms, and function effectively with no issues.