Scaling Up: When Is It Time to Move to a 3PL?
You’ve outgrown your spare room. Your packing station has taken over the kitchen table. Courier pickups are a daily source of stress. Sound familiar?
If you’re starting to feel stretched, it might be time to partner with a third-party logistics (3PL) provider. But how do you know when you’re really ready?
Here’s a practical checklist to help you decide:
Signs You’re Ready for a 3PL
- You’re spending most of your day packing orders
If fulfilment is taking over your day and keeping you from growing your business, it might be time to pass it on. A 3PL frees up your time so you can focus on strategy, sales, and everything else that matters. - You’re running out of space.
When stock takes over the spare room, the hallway, or even the kitchen table, it’s a sign you’re ready for something more scalable. A 3PL gives you space to grow without the pressure of your own warehouse. - You’re feeling the pressure to deliver faster
Customers expect next-day delivery, but staying on top of it is tough. A 3PL can help you speed things up through same-day dispatch and strong courier partnerships. - You’re starting to notice mistakes
Missed items, late returns or packing errors can damage trust. A 3PL is built for accuracy, with trained teams and systems that help your brand stay reliable and trustworthy. - You’re ready to expand your business
You’re exploring new products, wholesale opportunities or international markets. A 3PL gives you the flexibility to scale without having to build a fulfilment setup from scratch. - You want to offer a better customer experience.
You want every order to reflect the care you put into your brand. From branded packaging to faster delivery and easier returns, a 3PL helps you deliver a standout customer experience.
🚀 Bonus: Our Incubator Warehouse
At Wonderpack, we know that handing over fulfilment can feel like a big step. That’s why we offer our Incubator Warehouse, a flexible and low-risk solution for growing brands taking this leap for the first time.
You’ll get expert support, space to grow, and a partner who’s with you from day one. When the time comes to scale, we’ll help you move to a larger site smoothly and without disruption.
Our thoughtful fulfilment grows with you.
