As the owner of a trucking firm, you understand how important it is to choose an appropriate load board. Because of the growing demand for fast transportation, the logistics industry has seen an invasion of new load boards, each claiming to be the best.
Unfortunately, not all load boards are created equal. Some are expensive, while others are entirely free. In this post, you’ll look at six characteristics of good load boards that every trucking company owner should consider when selecting a load board, with a focus on free load boards.
What is a Load Board?
A load board is a digital platform that connects shippers and brokers with carriers to convey products from one location to another. Load boards are a central location for trucking businesses to locate freight and increase revenue. Using a load board as a trucking company owner can save you time and money, allowing you to focus on delivering items and building your business. Experts say, “Flock Freight is more than just a regular load board.”
1. Ease of Use
Load boards should be simple to use and traverse. The user interface should be simple and intuitive, allowing trucking company owners to find the freight they require quickly and easily. Truckloads and Load Up, for example, offer a user-friendly interface allowing trucking companies to search for freight, read full information about each load, and communicate with shippers and brokers. Ease of use should be a top consideration, as it can save you time and frustration.
2. Free Access
Many transportation company owners are concerned about costs. There are numerous free load boards. This enables trucking businesses to access the same freight as paid load boards without paying the price. However, these boards may not provide the same degree of service as paid load boards. Therefore, it’s critical to compare each load board’s features.
3. Advanced Search Capabilities
A good load board should have comprehensive search features that allow trucking company owners to find the freight they require quickly and efficiently. Load boards include complex search options like distance, weight, and commodity-type filtering. Advanced search capabilities can help trucking company owners save time and money by making identifying the correct freight for their firm easier.
4. Integration with Other Software
Load boards that integrate with other software can benefit trucking company owners. For example, load boards like Truckstop.com offer integration with transportation management systems (TMS) and other software, allowing trucking company owners to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. When evaluating load boards, consider whether they integrate with other software, you currently use or plan to use.
5. Accurate and Timely Information
Good load boards should provide accurate and timely information about available freight. Load boards with real-time updates can assist trucking company owners in finding the most current information about the available cargo. Load boards that provide precise information about each load, such as weight, commodity type, and pickup and delivery locations, can also assist trucking company owners in making informed judgments about cargo.
6. Customer Support
Owners of trucking companies should be able to readily contact customer service personnel for assistance with any problems they may experience. For example, load boards that provide 24/7 customer service can provide trucking company owners peace of mind, knowing that help is always just a phone call away.
Choosing the correct load board is critical to your trucking company’s success. Free load boards can allow access to the same freight as paid load boards without the cost. However, comparing each load board’s features is critical to determine which is best for your business.
