Choosing the right fulfillment partner is one of the most important decisions an e-commerce brand can make—and one of the hardest. With thousands of 3PLs (third-party logistics providers) across the country offering different services, rates, and capabilities, finding the right fit isn’t simple.
That’s where 3PL consultants come in.
Whether you’re scaling your first fulfillment operation or replacing a provider that can’t keep up, working with a knowledgeable advisor can save you time, money, and a lot of second-guessing.
In this post, we’ll break down what 3PL consultants actually do—and how eHub helps brands find the right fulfillment partner without the traditional consulting fees.
What Is a 3PL Consultant?
A 3PL consultant is an expert who helps ecommerce brands and retailers select, evaluate, and optimize their fulfillment strategy.
Typically, a consultant will:
- Assess your current fulfillment operations
- Recommend 3PL providers based on your needs (location, order volume, industry focus)
- Help negotiate contracts or service terms
- Identify opportunities to streamline workflows and reduce costs
- Support long-term fulfillment and shipping strategy improvements
Some 3PL consultants work independently and charge hourly or project-based fees. Others partner with fulfillment networks to make introductions.
No matter the model, the goal is the same: to help brands make better decisions about how, where, and with whom they fulfill orders.
When Should You Consider Working With a 3PL Consultant?
Not every brand needs a consultant on Day 1—but specific inflection points make expert guidance extremely valuable:
- You’re outgrowing in-house fulfillment
Your garage, office, or self-run warehouse can’t keep up with order volume. - You’re unhappy with your current 3PL
Poor service levels, high error rates, slow shipping times, and rising costs force you to reconsider. - You’re expanding into new markets
Adding locations, launching international shipping, or going omnichannel requires a more sophisticated fulfillment strategy. - You need better cost control
Shipping expenses are eating into margins, and you need more innovative ways to rate shop, optimize packing, and choose warehouses.
If any of these sound familiar, getting expert advice can save months (or years) of trial and error.
How eHub Serves as Your 3PL Matchmaker
At eHub, we don’t call ourselves traditional 3PL consultants—but for many brands, we play a very similar role.
Here’s how we help:
We Connect You to the Right 3PLs
Through our vetted network, we match you with fulfillment providers that fit your order volume, product type, service level needs, and growth plans.
No endless vetting. No wasted time chasing warehouses that aren’t a fit. We’ve already done the heavy lifting for you.
We Don’t Charge Consulting Fees
Unlike traditional consultants, we don’t bill you by the hour. Our business model is built around successful long-term partnerships—not upfront advisory fees.
We Optimize Your Shipping Costs
Beyond finding a 3PL, we layer in our intelligent shipping platform:
- Rate shop across multiple carriers automatically
- Optimize packing and box selection
- Simplify label generation and tracking
- Provide real-time visibility from order to doorstep
We Focus on Scale, Not Just Survival
Our goal isn’t just to plug a hole—it’s to help you build a foundation that supports long-term growth, better customer experiences, and healthier margins.
eHub acts like your fulfillment consultant—without the consulting price tag.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Fulfillment Partner Is Worth It
Finding the right 3PL isn’t just about faster shipping or cheaper rates. It’s about building a logistics engine that supports your brand’s next stage of growth.
Whether you’re navigating fulfillment for the first time or reworking a duct-taped system, having a knowledgeable partner in your corner can make all the difference.
And at eHub, we’re ready to help.
