How to Choose the Best Warehouse Management System for Small Businesses

Every dollar, every minute, and every resource counts — especially when you’re running a small 3PL warehouse business. So let’s take a few minutes to look at how to keep more money in your pocket, while setting your team and business up for growth! 

If you’re feeling the pinch of increasing operational costs, you’re not alone. In fact, 38% of logistics businesses agree that rising operational costs are one of the biggest challenges they will face in the next 12 months (check out our 2025 outlook report for more industry insights!). 

But with the right tools for your 3PL, you can boost operational efficiency, scale for growth, and unlock new revenue. 

Best WMS software for growth (boost your small 3PL team!)

To stay competitive and maximize the resources you already have, you need to be efficient and flexible, with the ability to navigate changing industry trends. This agility starts with finding the right Warehouse Management system for your small business, to save you time, boost accuracy and let you open the doors to new customers.

“I would absolutely recommend CartonCloud to anybody looking for a 3PL or a WMS system. They are always growing, always innovating. 

There's always new features coming. I really believe in CartonCloud, and they have been so helpful for us as we grow our business.” - Cass Strunk, Founder of Core Logistic Services

To get the most from your small team you need to be looking for a Warehouse Management system for small business that delivers time-saving workflows and is fully equipped with new WMS features so your small business can streamline operations, attract new customers, and expand your services.

To choose the best WMS for your small business, you should consider if the solution offers:

• Access to 24/7 expert support to keep operations running smoothly
• Cutting-edge industry features to optimize your growth
• Automating your admin tasks to save time and boost efficiency
• Security features for added peace of mind, and;
• Enhancing service offerings to build loyal client relationships.

Finding the best Warehouse Management system for small businesses is one of the most important investments you can make to ensure your 3PL can grow. Here’s how to choose the best Warehouse Management system for small businesses like yours!

In your small warehouse, your WMS software is one of your greatest assets!

When you’re just starting out, it can be tempting to reduce costs wherever possible — like opting for a free warehouse management system for small businesses, because it’s free! And who doesn’t like free things?

While it may seem like a budget-friendly choice at first, relying on free software often comes with hidden risks and limitations that could cost your business more in the long run.

Watch out for false promises — if it’s free, it will lack the benefits that come with a supported, cloud-based WMS system. Free small warehouse WMS software will lack ongoing feature updates and the customer support you need, meaning if something goes wrong, you’re left troubleshooting on your own. And with limited tools and features, offering new services to your customers becomes a challenge, stunting your ability to grow.

On top of that, you need to consider security – where is your data stored with free software and how secure is it? Many free tools lack the robust encryption and compliance measures your customers want, leaving your business vulnerable to data breaches, cyber threats, and unexpected downtime — a risk no small business can afford.

For the best ROI, you need to weigh up the actual value-add of your 3PL software for your small business. Your WMS is like another team member — one who can optimize workflows, automate data, offer new customer services — and comes with an actual dedicated team of experts who can help you to navigate options and get the most from your software. That’s real value. 

CartonCloud’s Warehouse Management System is loved by small businesses, giving small teams the tools they need to boost daily output, automate admin, and say yes to new business.

You’re not alone! Get expert support, 24/7

Running a small 3PL business can come with its challenges, and when issues arise, having a team of local experts by your side can make all the difference. For those new to the 3PL space, having access to a knowledgeable and friendly support team is vital. 

Whether it’s for troubleshooting, discovering new tips and tricks, or simply getting the most from your system, a great support team acts like an extra set of hands in your warehouse — guiding you at every step!

“Whenever I have a question, the answer is never no! [The support team] always finds a way! They have just been so incredibly helpful, I couldn't ask for more.” - Cass Strunk, Founder of Core Logistic Services

Confidently navigate your small warehouse WMS and focus on growing your business with the right support by your side.

At CartonCloud, we’re with you every step of the way — from your initial discovery and scoping calls to software demonstrations, onboarding support, and beyond.

Our extensive CartonCloud Help is packed with video tutorials and step-by-step guides to help you navigate each feature with ease. Plus, with our online CartonCloud Academy, you can unlock the full potential of your system even further with trails to master your small warehouse WMS software.

“When you’re starting off with a new WMS software, it can be really complicated to learn all of the steps, systems and what it’s really capable of! The CartonCloud team were really helpful, but it was nice to be able to go online to CartonCloud Academy to search for the answers myself. They have step-by-step walk throughs, and video guides to help you understand exactly what it is you’re looking to do.” - Cass Strunk

And the support doesn’t stop there! To ensure you're always getting the most from your investment, our team provides regular Health checks, keeping you up to date with the latest new features and system updates — so your business can continue to scale and stay optimized.

Powerful features to optimize your growth

When choosing your Warehouse Management system for small business, it’s important to make sure that it’s equipped with the latest tech features so you can continue to scale as you grow.

Growing your business is all about ensuring you have the right features to scale and take on new business as it comes. There are two top features that logistics businesses agree are a value-add for their business according to CartonCloud’s 2024 Logistics Index — and that’s order automation and the ability to scan barcodes for verification!

Pro Tip: When looking for the best WMS for small businesses, be sure it has this top feature:

• Mobile barcode scanning - Unlock greater accuracy, automated data entry, and tracking right from the palm of your hand using CartonCloud’s mobile app. Just connect your phone to a Bluetooth scanner and you’re ready to start streamlining your operations from end-to-end. Learn more about using your phone for mobile barcode scanning here.

Check out this #WarehouseHack to boost your inventory accuracy using barcode scanning!

At CartonCloud, we’re always updating our system with new features to keep your operations running smoothly. In 2024, we released over 57 new features and enhancements, including Pick-to-Tote for e-commerce, opening up the door for 3PLs to enter new markets and diversifying their revenue stream. 

Maximize your resources with automated invoicing

Running a small 3PL business means sometimes wearing multiple hats and getting all hands on deck to keep every aspect of your business running smoothly, from invoicing and admin work, to fulfilling orders accurately and on-time. 

Warehouse Management System for small businesses like CartonCloud can help boost your daily output while slashing admin overheads with automated invoicing so you can do more and keep more money in your pocket.

Hear it from Ryan Thompson, Operations Manager of Liquex who used CartonCloud’s small warehouse WMS software to grow their business and save valuable time.

“Just from a simple cost perspective, we've been able to redistribute our staff and what they do in different areas. We're saving between 40 and 60 hours a week on admin, but we're doing 30 to 50% more work.”

You have the time and money you've saved there, plus the ability to invoice our clients in a more timely fashion. Our staff is satisfied, our clients are really happy. And looking back, I don't think we'd be able to achieve what we've been able to achieve the last 12 months without having the software there.” - Ryan Thompson

Get more time back in your day without lifting a finger with the best WMS for small businesses. CartonCloud’s WMS automates your rate calculations by capturing charges for your everyday 3PL services — from stock storage and handling to order fulfillment, dispatch, and more! 

And then with CartonCloud’s seamless integrations, you can easily connect with your accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or MYOB, and have your invoices automatically generated and sent out (depending on when a trigger is completed, such as if an order is sent for dispatch). It’s that easy! 

Top-notch security to keep your data safe

The best Warehouse Management System for small businesses should do more than help optimize your operations — it should secure your data and give you the confidence to scale your business without worry. Not to mention give your clients peace of mind that their data is safe (which is something clients often ask about when selecting their 3PL partner!).

CartonCloud is built with multiple layers of security to keep your system, business, and customer data protected at all times.

• Our Secure User Groups feature allows you to provide different access levels to different users in your business, such as keeping access levels for warehouse pickers and packers, separate from your admin staff. 
• Using Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), you can add an extra layer of security to your system by requiring your staff to provide an authentication code when they log-in. 
• CartonCloud’s system is fully SSL encrypted, meaning your data is fully protected and unreadable to any unauthorized parties. 

Learn more about data security and why it matters in the logistics industry here.

Give more to your customers

Many small 3PL’s were born out of seeing a gap in the market that larger logistics companies just couldn’t fill — and that is giving your customers a better experience with specialized services and extra customer care. Your customers are at the heart of what you do, so why not give them even more to love?

The best Warehouse Management system for small business software by your side can help you to offer more, differentiate your services from the competition, and build loyal client relationships.

CartonCloud’s Warehouse Management System for small businesses is built with your customers in mind. Our client dashboard is an online portal where customers can place orders online, track stocked in real-time, and generate their own reports to see current or historical stock levels, giving them the visibility they need into your operations!

Start scaling today!

Get a small warehouse WMS built to grow with you! Our friendly team is ready to guide you through the features and tools you need to hit the ground running. Whether you're just starting your 3PL business or looking to scale, we're here to answer your questions every step of the way. Book your free demo with us to get started!