3PL for Shopify brands: what to know before you outsource.

You built your Shopify store, your products are selling, and now you're spending more time packing boxes than growing your brand. That's the inflection point where most Shopify sellers start looking at a 3PL. Here's what you need to know before you make the switch.

How a 3PL works with Shopify.

Your Shopify store connects to the 3PL's warehouse management system (WMS) via API or app integration. When a customer places an order, it automatically flows to the 3PL. They pick, pack, and ship it. Tracking info pushes back to Shopify and your customer gets a shipping notification.

From the customer's perspective, nothing changes — the package still arrives with your branding.

When it makes sense.

• You're shipping 100+ orders per month and it's eating your time
• You're storing inventory in your garage, spare room, or a storage unit you're outgrowing
• You want to offer faster shipping without managing it yourself
• You're running ads and need to scale fulfillment without it becoming a bottleneck
• You sell on multiple channels (Shopify + Amazon + Walmart) and want one fulfillment source

What to look for in a Shopify 3PL.

• Native Shopify integration — Not just a CSV upload. Real-time sync of orders, inventory, and tracking. Ask if they support Shopify's API or use an app like ShipStation, ShipHero, or a custom integration.
• Multi-channel support — If you also sell on Amazon, Walmart, TikTok Shop, or wholesale, your 3PL should handle all of it from one warehouse.
• Transparent pricing — You should know exactly what pick & pack, storage, and shipping costs before you commit. No "contact us for pricing" black boxes.
• Location — A centrally located 3PL (like Central Mississippi) means lower average shipping zones to most US addresses vs. a coastal warehouse.
• No crazy minimums — Some 3PLs require 1,000+ orders/month. If you're at 200-500 and growing, find a partner that scales with you.

Common mistakes Shopify sellers make.

• Waiting too long to outsource — By the time you're drowning in shipments, you're also too busy to properly onboard with a 3PL. Start the conversation at 100+ orders/month, not 1,000.
• Choosing based on price alone — The cheapest 3PL often means slow shipping, poor communication, and inventory errors. Your 3PL is your customer's last touchpoint — it matters.
• Not planning for returns — Make sure your 3PL handles returns processing. Shopify returns need to flow back into sellable inventory quickly.
• Ignoring location — Shipping from LA to serve a national customer base means half your orders cross 4+ zones. A central location saves money on every single order.

What the switch looks like.

Typical onboarding process:

• Send your product catalog and SKU list to the 3PL
• Ship initial inventory to their warehouse (or they arrange freight pickup)
• Connect your Shopify store via integration
• Test with a batch of orders to verify accuracy
• Go live — orders flow automatically from that point forward

Most 3PLs can have you fully onboarded in 1-2 weeks.