A 3PL integration is the direct connection between your ecommerce store and a third-party logistics provider's warehouse software. It moves orders from your store to the warehouse, sends tracking and confirmation back to your store, and keeps inventory counts in sync between the two. The result is that orders ship and update without anyone copying data by hand.
How do I connect my Shopify store to a 3PL?
With a native Shopify integration, you authorize the connection from your Shopify admin, map your products to the warehouse, and run a test order to confirm orders and tracking flow correctly. From then on, new orders route to the 3PL automatically and tracking writes back to Shopify. With Simpl, Shopify is a native integration, so the connection is built and maintained on our side.
Do I need a developer to set up a 3PL integration?
For natively supported platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Squarespace, you don't need a developer. Connecting is an account-level setup: authorize the integration, map your products, and test an order. A developer only enters the picture if you're on a custom or uncommon platform that connects through an API. Simpl supports those native platforms directly and offers an open API for custom stacks.
What happens to my inventory during the switch to a 3PL?
You move inventory to the 3PL's warehouse, where it's received, counted, and logged into the warehouse system before you go live. You keep shipping from your current setup until the 3PL confirms stock is received and the integration is tested, so there's no gap where orders can't ship. With Simpl, receiving typically takes 1 to 3 days, and full onboarding runs 5 to 7 days.
How does WooCommerce work with a 3PL?
A 3PL connects to WooCommerce to read new orders and write tracking back, the same as any other platform, but because WooCommerce is self-hosted, the connection depends on your specific store setup and plugins. A native integration is maintained by the 3PL rather than relying on a connector you have to update yourself. Simpl integrates with WooCommerce natively, so orders sync to the warehouse and inventory updates without a third-party middleman.
Can a 3PL fulfill orders from multiple sales channels at once?
Yes. A 3PL with multi-channel support pulls orders from your store and your marketplaces into one warehouse and ships them from a single inventory pool, with stock counts that update across every channel as items leave. That keeps you from overselling the same unit on two channels. Simpl integrates with Shopify and marketplaces including Amazon, Walmart, eBay, Etsy, and TikTok Shop, with real-time inventory visibility across channels.
How much does 3PL integration cost?
Integration itself usually isn't a separate line item. You pay for fulfillment, and the connection to your store is part of the service. Watch for setup or onboarding fees, which some 3PLs charge on top of per-order rates. Simpl's fulfillment starts at $7/order and includes picking, packing, postage, and packaging, with no separate onboarding fee to connect your store.
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