Getting freight from point A to B is not always easy. There are many factors you have to consider and ensure that the freight company handling the delivery can cope with. Even a small failure along the way can be costly and result in serious delays. You never want to disappoint customers who you rely on for repeat business. Here are some of the key factors you should ponder when making your choice of freight shipping company for your business.
Services
Different freight companies offer different types and levels of service. Some can undertake international orders while others work within a specific geographical zone. If your business involves shipping to many foreign destinations, you will want to focus on freight companies that can accommodate this. If your goods require special accommodations like temperature-controlled trucks, then you also need to find a shipper that offers this service.
Pricing
The cost of shipping is always a key factor as it can affect your bottom line. But you cannot always go for just the cheapest option. When sourcing quotes from the best freight shipping companies, ensure you also factor in the services you are getting, how reliable their service is, and the delivery times you can expect. This quality of service is very important as disappointments can likely affect the image of your business.
Reputation
You need to conduct some due diligence in establishing the reputation of the freight shipping company you choose to work with. As said, the quality of their service will have an impact on your business reputation. Delays and damaged shipments can make customers drop you in favor of competitors. Get references from other businesses that have used the freight companies you are considering. Find out if they deliver on promises made. Also, do an online lookup. You may find helpful reviews and even links to any litigation they may be facing related to their services.
Capacity
The larger your business is and the more e-commerce you are engaged in, the more capacity your freight shipping company should have. if you expect to have to ship freight into the long term, you will want to secure a contract with your provider early on. This is because the industry is facing a shortage of drivers that may make securing reliable freight services tougher in the future.
Safety Measures
Look into what kind of safety measures the freight companies you are considering use. This can range anywhere from tracking cargo to the use of forklifts to move heavy shipments. The more investment and effort they put into ensuring the safety of their employees and that of the freight, the more secure you will feel.