Did you know that more than 85 percent of shippers felt that using third-party logistics services helped them with their customer service experience? Third-party logistics can make a world of difference for your business when you’re growing and trying to get your products to the customer in a timely manner.
Supply chains around the world faced massive impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed how important a good third-party logistics provider is to have on your side. If you’re looking to find a good third-party logistics partner to work with then today is your lucky day.
You’ve found the right article to learn about all of the best third-party logistics tips that you’ll need to help your business reach its potential. Keep reading this article to learn more today!
Ask About Their Logistics Capabilities
The first thing that you should ask about is their capabilities when it comes to logistics. If you’re focusing on international shipping then it’s a good idea to find a 3PL provider that can help in that area. You won’t see a noticeable benefit if you’re hiring a logistics service to help you with something that they don’t specialize in.
A 3PL provider might be amazing in truck shipping but terrible with international shipping. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they’re great across the board. You also need to make sure that they can meet your present and future shipping requirements.
Find out if their shipping times are time-sensitive. It’s also wise to check into whether they use repetitive truck lanes. Little things like that will make all of the difference for third-party logistics.
Check Out Reviews
Another helpful third-party logistics tip to use is the customer reviews for the provider. You can learn a lot about the experience that other customers have had working with third-party logistics services by reading online reviews. Look for a service that has plenty of positive reviews.
Don’t write off companies that have some negative reviews, though recurring negative reviews should be seen as a red flag. Make sure that they have strong communication skills. They should also have reviews that rave about their ability to solve problems.
No company will claim that they have poor customer service. Reviews will give you a true insight into what you can expect should something go wrong. Look for a provider that has a reputation for top-notch customer service.
Use of Technology
Handling third-party logistics is almost impossible without help from technology. What is third-party logistics without tracking and documentation software? You can view here for more to see the ways in which technology benefits your business.
The goal of using this technology is to streamline your processes and ensure that your goods arrive on time and at the right location. The software that they’re using should connect to your online store without any issues. It should also help you use the available data to the benefit of your company.
The best software programs make use of cloud-based servers. This is essential because it allows them to access your data from anywhere and keeps everyone on the same page. You’ll have a much easier time tracking the orders that are getting sent to customers around the globe.
Adaptability
It’s important to remember that the third-party logistics services that you’re using are helping businesses in a wide range of industries. They’re going to offer a wide range of services to your business, most of which will provide little value. It’s best to find a provider that can adapt to the needs of your business in order to help you with your shipping and logistics needs.
They shouldn’t have any trouble creating a custom setup for your business that will allow you to function at a higher level. Communicate with them as your needs change, as they should be more than happy to adapt with you and scale up as your business grows.
Stability
An overlooked component of a good third-party logistics company is stability. You don’t want to rely on a company that can’t sustain or support itself. No matter how complex or simple your supply chain is, stability is one of the most important things to look for in a 3PL service.
Working with an unstable logistics company could result in major issues for your shipping and logistics needs. The quality could drop off in a big way as the company starts to become less and less stable. You also need to remember that all it might take for the company to dissolve is one high liability issue.
Reputation
Reputation for a business is something that is earned rather than given. It’s best to seek out the 3PL services with the best reputation in order to create a shortlist of companies that you’re interested in. Having a list will make it easier to compare all of your options and look at which one fits your needs the best.
It’s great to look at how they treat their employees as well as their suppliers. Another thing to look at is the level of activity that they provide in their own community and the ways in which they’re helping people. Reading their online reviews will also tell you a lot about what it is like to work with them.
Location
The location of the 3PL service could benefit or hamper the growth of your business. You need to determine whether you want your business to be a force in your region or if you’d like to expand. Consider the location before you hire a third-party logistics service to work with.
Hire Third-Party Logistics Services Today
Choosing to hire third-party logistics services is a great step toward growing your own e-commerce business and ensuring that you have a stable supply chain. Take the location of the 3PL service into consideration, and always read the online reviews to get a better idea of its reputation. You should also look at how adaptable they are and the ways in which they treat their employees.
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