3PL stands for Third-Party Logistics. When we talk about 3PL companies for small business, we’re talking about professional logistics partners that help handle everything from storing your products to shipping them out to your customers.
As the president of Tri-Link FTZ, I’ve seen firsthand how outsourcing logistics transforms small businesses. You don’t need to rent a warehouse or run to the post office 20 times a day.
A good 3PL takes that stress off your plate. At its core, a 3PL company becomes an extension of your business.
You focus on your product, and we handle the rest—warehousing, inventory tracking, packing, shipping, and even returns. With the right partner, you can compete with larger companies without needing a massive team or infrastructure.
When I started out in this industry more than three decades ago, logistics was something only large enterprises could afford to outsource. Today, that’s no longer the case.
3PL companies for small business are more common and more necessary than ever. One of the first things I tell new clients is this: if you’re fulfilling more than 100 orders a month, it’s time to seriously consider a 3PL.
Here’s why: scaling up is hard. Doing it without burning out is even harder.
We’ve had clients come to us because they were shipping orders out of their garage and couldn’t keep up. Others came to us after missing deliveries during holiday rushes.
With a 3PL in place, those issues vanish. We streamline operations, give you back your time, and help your business appear as professional as the giants in your industry.
The first major benefit is speed. At Tri-Link FTZ, we average 1–2 business days for fulfillment across the country.
That’s thanks to our network of strategically located warehouses and our fulfillment technology. Fast shipping isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—customers expect it.
With Amazon setting the bar for next-day delivery, smaller businesses can’t afford delays. Second, we help reduce shipping and storage costs.
Because we work with a variety of small businesses, we pool resources to get better rates from freight providers. That means your costs go down, your margins improve, and you stay competitive.
You’re not just saving money—you’re gaining leverage. Another huge win?
Better inventory control. With our integrated software, you can view your stock in real time, prevent overselling, and stay on top of low inventory alerts.
If you’ve ever had a customer upset because an item was out of stock after they purchased it, you’ll know how valuable this is. Lastly, there’s the customer experience.
We make sure packages go out fast, tracking numbers are shared, and returns are processed efficiently. This all leads to more five-star reviews and fewer customer complaints. Read more here.
I get this question a lot. Small businesses often wait too long to get help with logistics.
If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to talk to a 3PL provider like us:
When these start to happen, it’s not a matter of if you need a 3PL—it’s a matter of how fast you can make the switch.
When clients ask me what exactly a 3PL can do, I tell them it’s more than just shipping. A real logistics partner offers a full suite of services that cover every step of the supply chain.
At Tri-Link FTZ, we provide warehousing, pick and pack, order fulfillment, returns management, and more. We also help with international shipping, labeling, custom packaging, and even assembly if your product requires it.
Our warehouse team works alongside technology that integrates with your online store, so orders flow directly into our system. This reduces errors and saves time.
For example, if you’re on Shopify or WooCommerce, your customer orders instantly show up in our fulfillment queue. That means no manual entry, no shipping delays, and no guesswork.
We also manage inventory across multiple warehouse locations. This allows us to fulfill orders faster by shipping from the closest location to your customer.
It saves time, reduces shipping costs, and improves your customer’s experience. Read more here.
Cost is often the biggest question when small businesses consider working with 3PL companies. And it’s a fair one.
You’re running lean, and every dollar counts. But here’s what I tell our clients: working with a 3PL isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in efficiency.
Most 3PLs, including ours, use a pricing model based on volume. That means you’re paying for what you use: storage space, number of orders shipped, pick and pack services, etc.
There are no giant upfront costs or long-term leases. We’ve worked with businesses that started with just a couple pallets of inventory, and we’ve scaled with them as they grew into full container loads.
Here’s a general pricing breakdown that reflects average industry ranges:
Service | Typical Cost Range |
Storage per pallet | $15–$40/month |
Pick & Pack (per order) | $1.50–$4.00 |
Packaging materials | $0.50–$2.00 per shipment |
Shipping (varies) | Based on size/weight/zone |
Receiving (per pallet) | $25–$50 |
With smart forecasting and batch shipping, small businesses can save hundreds—sometimes thousands—each month by outsourcing instead of trying to handle logistics in-house.
In my 35+ years in this industry, I’ve seen small businesses thrive and I’ve seen them sink because of the wrong logistics partner. Choosing the right 3PL isn’t about who’s cheapest—it’s about who understands your business.
Look for a 3PL company that offers clear communication and transparency. You should know exactly what you’re being billed for, and why.
Tech integration is also key. If your logistics partner can’t sync with your sales platform or offer real-time tracking, they’re not the right fit for today’s fast-paced market.
Also, find a partner who has experience working with businesses your size. We work with small businesses every day, and we know how to provide just the right amount of support without overwhelming you.
Dedicated account managers make a huge difference too. It’s comforting to know that when you call, you’re speaking to someone who knows your name and understands your goals.
Absolutely. One of my favorite success stories involves a startup that began shipping just 50 orders a month.
Within a year of working with us, they were handing over 1,000 monthly orders across two countries. That kind of growth would have been impossible if they were still running fulfillment out of a storage unit.
3PL companies for small business offer the flexibility to grow without needing to invest in infrastructure. You don’t need to lease a warehouse, buy equipment, or hire and train staff.
We already have all of that—and we put it to work for you. As your business grows, we adapt.
Whether it’s seasonal spikes during holidays or sudden surges from a viral campaign, we scale up without hesitation. And when things slow down?
You’re not locked into expensive contracts or unused space.
Before signing on with any 3PL, I recommend asking a few key questions:
These questions help ensure the 3PL understands your needs and has the flexibility to grow with you. At Tri-Link FTZ, we answer all of these upfront because we want you to feel confident from day one.
If you’re a small business owner trying to juggle growth, logistics, and customer satisfaction, you’re not alone. I’ve been in this industry long enough to know how challenging it can be—but also how rewarding it is when everything clicks.
Working with 3PL companies for small business is more than just outsourcing. It’s about building a reliable foundation so you can scale your business, improve your margins, and keep your customers happy.
At Tri-Link FTZ, we’ve built our reputation on helping businesses like yours thrive. If you’re ready to make logistics the least of your worries, let’s talk.
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