Last year was huge for LTL freight, with a high demand primarily driven by the rapid growth of e-commerce. In 2020, experts forecast a steady growth with more balanced demand, the significant impact of technology, more small companies and startups entering the market, the rise of mobile tech, and the increase of freight rates. Let’s take a deeper dive into 2020 LTL shipping trends and see what will influence the LTL industry in the nearest future.

## 2020 LTL shipping trends: what to watch for?

### Rates are going up

With a spike in e-commerce projects, the demand and popularity of LTL freight shipping have drastically grown. Also, more and more individual shippers are becoming aware of the mode. Essentially, increased demand and not so much capacity have led to a steady increase in [LTL freight rates](https://www.goship.com/blog/factors-determine-ltl-shipping-rates/) over the last couple of years, and 2020 won’t be an exception. Recently, UPS [announced](https://www.shipware.com/ups-2020-rate-increases/) the 2020 General Rate Increase (GRI) and stated LTL freight rates will rise by 4,9%.

### More capacity, balanced demand

While in the few previous years [LTL carriers](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-ltl-carriers/) were put under huge pressure of supplying shippers with necessary capacity and equipment, things will become more balanced in 2020. Overall demand is settling towards more consistent and steady growth while carriers and shipping providers are now more prepared for a busy season. Essentially, market moderation is grounded by secure pricing changes that will keep supply and demand balanced throughout the year.

### Impact of technology

There’s no surprise that technology is reshaping the entire logistics and transportation industry. Apparently, it changes LTL as well, in its own way. Since LTL freight is commonly used by individual shippers, retailers, and small businesses, the tech emphasis will be on better connectivity. There’s an expected spike in [mobile apps](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-best-shipping-app/) and tools to book, monitor, and manage LTL shipments for both shippers and carriers in a better way. In terms of automation and freight spend control, advanced software like TMSs, EDIs, APIs, and other tools will be required to manage the business. Essentially, advanced tracking will be a must-have throughout the future years to keep customers updated.

## LTL Freight with GoShip.com

Looking for a simple and fast LTL shipping? Check out our [LTL freight services](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping/)! [](https://www.goship.com/)

In 2020, the supply chain and logistics industry will be influenced by a number of trends which affect shipping operations and rates.

Key LTL Freight Shipping Trends of 2020 to Watch For

You may have noticed that the logistics and supply chain industry is going through a metamorphosis.

It’s not all in your head –– rising 3PL prices are caused by extraordinary demand, while capacity, infrastructure, and staff can barely keep up with the growth.

While the changes are overwhelming, it’s critical that companies learn about 3PL trends to adapt their logistics and supply chain strategies.

Learn about the top 2022 3PL industry trends to stay competitive!

## Key 3PL and logistics trends

### Capacity shortage will continue in 2022

3PL demand has been steadily increasing over the years, and the sad truth is that capacity still hasn’t caught up. With the overwhelming rise in shipping demand due to COVID-19, the race for capacity to catch up with demand isn’t looking too great.

Companies should expect to pay more to move packages –– with more and more companies scrambling to get a spot on air freight.

To stay competitive, companies need to prioritize shipments and review how assets are being used.

![3PL and logistics trends ]()

### Plan for a talent shortage

In 2022, expect 3PL to start hiring more logistics professionals to keep up with the latest logistics and supply chain technologies. 

Aside from demand from supply chain professionals, there’s also a huge demand for drivers. 

With the talent shortage, expect 3PL companies to start outsourcing logistics jobs. According to analysts, companies are likely to outsource these 3PL services:

* Warehousing
* Domestic transportation
* International transportation
* Freight forwarding
* Reverse logistics
* Customs brokerage
* Freight bill auditing and payment
* Transportation planning and management

### Carrier merging and acquisitions will intensify

The shortage in capacity and talent has encouraged global shipping carriers to acquire smaller companies to diversify their portfolio. At the same time, large shipping companies see M&S as a sustainable way to manage growth and increase efficiency and asset utilization.

With M&A activity, companies can mitigate risks and successfully optimize supply chain networks in light of rising demand. Businesses that deal with carriers interested in M&A should expect to see more diverse services and better supply chain management.

### The Amazon effect

Thanks to Amazon’s comprehensive infrastructure and large-scale outsourcing efforts, it’s now possible to receive online orders in a short amount of time and at a minimal price.

With the rise in online shopping, more and more retailers and businesses are catching up on the Amazon Effect. To keep your business competitive, it’s critical to not only maintain an online presence but to adjust logistics and sales strategies to keep up with new buyer habits.

Expect to see eCommerce making big moves in improving delivery speed, capacity, and efficiency while reducing overall costs with the help of 3PLs.

![3PL and logistics trends ]()

### Amazon alternatives

With the rise of online shopping amidst the pandemic, Amazon set up some new restrictions for sellers, including reduced inventory storage.

Because of this, many online sellers and eCommerce businesses had to find an alternative platform to stay competitive. 

Expect more sellers to join other online platforms and marketplaces in 2022. More businesses may also consider setting up their online store. Because of this, more industries will be looking to outsource fulfillment services from 3PL companies.

### Last-mile logistics and micro warehouses

With increased demand, companies need to look for efficient strategies to get orders faster to customers.

Micro warehouses will start to pop up in 2022. These are small dedicated warehouses that are located close to customers, often in densely populated urban locations.

With micro warehouses, businesses can keep up with the rising demand for same-day and next-day deliveries. Ideal products for micro warehouses require minimal handlings, such as apparel or common consumer goods.

![3PL and logistics trends ]()

### Rise of crowdsourcing and gig economy

To keep up with the massive demand for logistics services, more business owners are booking independent contractors and vehicle owners to make their deliveries. 

Crowdsourcing is a fast and cheap solution to getting products to customers fast. With fewer supply chain services to choose from, it’s often the go-to last-mile logistics solution.

While this allows businesses more flexibility in increasing fulfillment capacity and speeding up services, there are downsides to hiring independent delivery drivers. 

For one, businesses will have less quality control in shipment management. It may also be difficult to find contractors with tracking or insurance.

### Green logistics

The green movement has also made its way into the logistics industry. In 2022, expect to see 3PL companies adopting more green logistics practices.

These include technologies that track and monitor the use of gas, heat, water, and electricity in facilities and warehouses. More companies may also look into software that will calculate the carbon footprint.

In terms of delivery, more 3PL will look into electric and solar-powered vehicles. Carriers and sellers will also be more interested in biodegradable packaging.

### Technology integration

With the overwhelming rise in demand, 3PLs are looking into innovative technologies and systems that will improve scalability, efficiency, and overall productivity.

One of the most significant integrations 3PLs are warehouse management systems (WMS) that support real-time tracking and management of inventory.

![3P]()

Blockchain is another exciting technology that 3PLs are looking into. It involves integrating transaction information from multiple systems into a single platform. This will allow the different stages of the supply chain (carriers, logistics providers, shipping lines, and customers) to enhance visibility across the entire system.

Aside from increased visibility, the system will allow all parties to mitigate issues and risks before they happen.

With Blockchain technology, businesses don’t need to worry about giving customers real-time and transparent tracking updates. More than that, business owners will have the peace of mind that their products are protected and traceable.

Other necessary innovations include transportation management and scheduling, web portals, and electronic data interchange.

### Rise of self-service platforms

As we’ve said, there is a rising trend in outsourcing with shippers and 3PL users.

With the increasing need for freight forwarding and domestic shipping, more businesses will trust freight shipping marketplaces as a convenient and cost-effective freight solution.

Online self-service platforms allow users to get a comprehensive overview of the most affordable carriers in their area.

Get in touch with GoShip.com for a [free quote.](https://www.goship.com/)

Start getting ready to ship and manage your supply chain in 2022 by learning more about the fresh logistics trends.

Top 10 Supply Chain and Logistics Trends For 2022 and Beyond

It is sometimes hard to calculate your shipping expenses before moving goods, but popular business practices can help you lower the overall costs and minimize the risks of unnecessary charges.

# What factors affect transportation costs?



The cost of transportation services depends on various aspects of the supply chain organization. Some of them are out of your control - you can’t influence the fuel prices, or the tax amounts that the governmental institutions regulate. But you can indeed adjust many factors that depend on you as a business owner, thus reducing the final delivery costs. For example, you can improve your planning skills to book a shipment at better rates, provide the carriers with exact load information to avoid calculation mistakes, and try road mapping to detect optimal shipping routes.



## How to reduce freight shipping costs?

Shipping can be a [](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-avoid-unwanted-shipping-costs/) costly task that may exceed your planned budget, but there are ways to make sure you keep your expenses in check. Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time delivering goods, we have compiled a list to help you reduce shipping costs to a minimum.



### Understand your freight class

[Freight class](https://www.goship.com/posts/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class) helps the carrier understand the load better. It provides information about the weight and density of your items, which influences the way you ship them. If the item is dense and light, you will have a lower cost because it is easier to handle and harder to damage. Besides, understanding the freight class identifies the most suitable transport means for your shipment.



### Record accurate measurements

Knowing your freight's exact size and weight is essential to facilitate the shipping process. The more [](https://www.goship.com/blog/factors-determine-ltl-shipping-rates/) accurate are dimensions, the better you can evaluate the required shipping capacity and the possibility of using additional services. If your measurements are incorrect or missing, your carrier will have to do calculations independently, which would incur extra costs. 



### Package efficiently

Packing your item with less bulk is an excellent way to remain cost-efficient. If you can reduce the volume of packaging materials in your shipment, it could allow the allocation of more items. However, it is vital to ensure you [pack the cargo safely](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-safely-prepare-your-ltl-freight-shipment). Many packaging suppliers today offer compressed packages that retain all their protective features.



### Palletize and stack your freight

Placing your freight on a pallet makes loading and unloading operations easier. Efficiency in handling cargo will help keep your costs low and save the carrier time – a win for both parties. Besides, [palletizing](https://www.goship.com/posts/palletizing-ltl-freight-everything-you-need-to-know) is one of the best ways to secure your cargo during transportation. If your freight can be stacked, you can reduce the unused space within the trailer, thus increasing the number of added boxes.



### Collect required paperwork

[Shipping documentation](https://www.goship.com/posts/shipping-paperwork-what-documents-do-you-need-for-your-shipment) provides evidence of delivery and guarantees the uninterrupted flow of financial operations. These documents typically contain the items' descriptions and general cargo characteristics. An improper or incomplete paperwork pack can cause many legal charges or block you from receiving the payment. Verify you’ve prepared the Bill of Lading, got an invoice from the carrier, and requested other additional documents. 



### Ship closer, not further

Shipping to remote locations naturally results in higher costs. Still, it doesn’t mean you have to cut or change your shipping routes to spend less. Consider mowing your goods from a more central spot or a hub to speed up the delivery and save your transportation funds. Try to cooperate with a strategically located storage space, so the carrier can pick up the ordered items straight from the warehouse and complete the shipment much faster.



### Plan to ship on peak days

Peak shipping days are typically the start of the week (Mondays and Tuesdays). Businesses like to receive their products by Wednesday and Friday to ensure they have everything in place for the weekend. It gives you a helpful hint to plan your shipments early and avoid long tailbacks and possible disruptions. You can book the carrier service in advance, which promises better choices and lower rates.



### Only use what you need

Some shipping situations entail additional fees that are often unexpected. Investigate the question of [accessorial charges](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-avoid-accessorial-charges-in-freight-shipping) to see whether you need them or can perform specific tasks by your means. If you’re still looking to add accessorials, try to keep them at a minimum since they will increase your shipping costs. 



### Research carriers

It is always best to understand your carrier preferences to accommodate the freight appropriately. When looking for professional shipping services, pay attention to the main criteria, such as their operational area and suggested transport options. To make the right choice of carrier, stick to your budget and shipment timelines.



### Choose your shipping provider

Using a [](https://www.goship.com/blog/questions-to-ask-your-ltl-shipping-provider/) reliable provider for your freight transportation is crucial to reducing shipping costs. A good provider would have an extensive list of carriers across their service region. They will also advise you on the shipping mode that suits your cargo to prevent you from overpaying for the excessive trailer space. At GoShip, we prioritize shipping efficiency and affordability. We will connect you to many experienced carriers and help you plan your shipment with our [online tools](https://www.goship.com/).

Learn about the most effective ways to reduce your shipping costs without losing shipment quality and customer satisfaction.

Top 10 Ways to Reduce Your Freight Shipping Costs

At GoShip.com, we believe in closely watching the shipping industry and staying up to date with freight transportation and shipping trends to be able to provide our customers with the best tools for their shipping needs.

According to DAT, which is a US-based freight exchange and provider of transportation information serving North America, there are [reports](https://www.dat.com/blog/post/year-ends-with-record-rates-and-ratios) that 2017 was a particularly robust year in shipping, especially in the second half.

Based on what we have seen in the industry during that time, and with 2018 almost ½ way through already, here are some trends to watch for in the freight transportation industry for the remainder of 2018.

## Key freight shipping trends in 2018 and beyond

### **Tightened Capacity**

It’s no secret that this year the market is battling with low truck supply and high freight demand. One of the reasons for this crunch is the ongoing shortage of drivers. This shortage is caused by older drivers continuously retiring, and very few younger drivers filling in those empty spots.

Also, the job is difficult and not appealing to many - it involves working extremely long hours, driving long distances, being away from family for long periods of time, and for many, less than ideal pay. Consequently, because there are fewer drivers and fewer trucks on the road, the increase in freight has nowhere to go. This, in turn, drives up the shipping rates because of the premium placed on securing a truck.

### **Rising Rates**

Spot rates were on the rise for much of 2017 and the beginning of 2018 and could continue to do so throughout 2018. This trend goes hand in hand with the tightened capacity. As freight demand rises and the supply of available trucks falls, rates increase.

There are typically two types of rates in the transportation industry-spot market rates and contract rates. Spot rates are those that are quoted on the spot and are typically done for freight that is ready to move. Contract rates are those that are locked in with a carrier via a contract with the shipper and are usually based on a year-long estimate of freight volume. The likely outcome of increased truck rates will be the transition from highway transport to rail freight.

Intermodal or rail is typically less expensive than truck due to the nature of the mode, and we are already seeing shippers switch to intermodal to find a way around the capacity and rate issues of the highway.

### **Technological Disruptors**

More and more frequently, we are seeing new technologies break into the freight transportation scene. For example, Uber Freight launched last spring and is an app for freight that operates similarly to Uber’s well-known ride-sharing service.

Also, Amazon has an app that targets on-demand freight, which operates by matching trucking companies with shippers who have freight to move. A different type of potential disruptor is the autonomous vehicle boom. Tesla has unveiled its electric semi-truck, which has a range of 500 miles on one charge. No longer having to pay for diesel fuel or the upkeep of maintaining a combustion engine, while having increased visibility from the streamlined cabin of this truck, are all alluring factors to many drivers.

### **Regulations**

The electronic logging device (ELD) mandate is causing major changes to the industry and is making drivers want to leave the transportation industry rather than adapt to the ELD. This mandate is frustrating truck drivers and causing the capacity to tighten even more. Before the mandate, truck drivers were concerned about bad weather, accidents, or long detention times because of the potential to miss their next delivery.

Now, with the mandate, any form of unexpected delay would put that driver over his/her hours of service mark and force them to stop for the night. This hurts the productivity and profit margins for drivers being paid by the trip, which in turn is causing many drivers to leave and contributes to the shortage of drivers in the market today.

Also, the planned US Infrastructure Reform has had some noticeable effects on the shipping and logistics industry. One of Trump’s top campaign promises was to refocus government spending on American infrastructure, and it has created a positive impact on the trucking industry, as it means improvements for highways, bridges, junctions, etc.

Undoubtedly, Donald Trump has a strong commitment to infrastructure and this reform is exciting news for most industries that rely on domestic transportation, but he also made it clear that he will not increase the deficit to fund these projects.

Therefore, the industry will have to pay for the improvements, either through higher fuel taxes or tolls. However, not much has been done to move forward with this reform as of now.

These rapidly changing trends may seem like a lot to remember when shipping your goods, but GoShip is here to help you stay on track! If you have LTL shipping needs and want to make sure that you are not overpaying on your shipments, [get a quote](https://www.goship.com/) through GoShip.com today.


Certain supply chain and logistics trends of 2018 will remain relevant and affect your business in the future.

Biggest Supply Chain and Logistics Trends in 2018

This year was challenging for everyone, especially small business owners. COVID-19 and the economic fallout have highlighted the weak points in companies’ [strategy](https://www.goship.com/blog/optimizing-your-truckload-shipping-strategy/), inventory, marketing, and transportation. [Anticipating future trends](https://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaard/2020/07/09/the-business-trends-that-will-emerge-out-of-covid-19/?sh=6c7bcb9b3cf8) in the face of so much uncertainty is more vital than ever. Here's a rundown of what your business can focus on heading into 2021.

## Key small business trends in 2021

### Local cooperation

One important issue that business owners and retailers have faced is a disruption in the delivery of supplies. A lot of companies get their materials or products from remote destinations; often from China or other locations. The pandemic has shown that with no flexibility and additional vendors, it is complicated to manage your normal sales flow. Additionally, many local businesses have been struggling with staying in the market because of the competition with larger players. These circumstances have created the need to collaborate on the local level. This way you can support the community and diversify your network of suppliers and partners.

### Going online

While it has been an ongoing trend for the last several years, in 2020, the need to go digital skyrocketed. The e-commerce market is [anticipated to grow](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-long-term-trends-will-emerge-in-retail-industry/) more than ever, so establishing a robust digital presence is a must for small businesses. Essentially, it is beneficial to use as many channels as possible, but the key focus will still remain on web presence.

### More flexibility

Supply chains are [getting more flexible](https://www.goship.com/blog/make-your-supply-chain-management-more-efficient/), short-cycled, and regional. This means small businesses should put more focus on their stock and inventory management. During the pandemic, it was hard to predict demand. So many companies were left with tons of stock, or on the contrary - couldn’t sustain a demand. Staying sensitive and reactive to customer demand will help businesses stay flexible.

It is important to get ready for the new shipping season in advance and update your logistics strategy according to the latest transportation trends.

Main Logistics Trends of 2021: Small Business Expectations

The shipping industry is constantly being changed by new technology, ranging from the ELD mandate to the idea of autonomous trucks. Technology is almost unavoidable in today’s society and has changed the way people ship. Consumers become more and more conventional to technology, and many businesses focus on staying ahead of technology to provide customers with a seamless shopping and shipping experience. One way businesses are utilizing new technology is with shipment tracking. Shipment tracking is a new feature that many shipping services are implementing to [give customers full visibility](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-customers-experience-through-shipping/) of their shipment. Today we will be covering the top reasons why tracking is not only important to customers, but to businesses as well.

## **Enhances the Shipping Experience**

Being able to track a shipment allows businesses to keep track of and avoid lost shipments. Cargo tracking can also let shippers know of any issues that occurred on the package's journey from origin to destination. Companies that offer load tracking can better satisfy their customers and give them peace-of-mind during the shipping process.

## **Reduces Unwanted Fees and Delays**

Tracking a shipment’s journey can help companies track fees that might occur during the shipping process. When shippers can see problems occurring during their shipment, they can make the necessary changes to avoid unwanted costs due to delays or changing pick up times. Without shipment tracking, fees could be unavoidable.

## **Keeps Customers Coming Back**

Many customers can become very stressed when arranging a shipment. Especially, if the items are important and valuable. Many shippers prefer to use a service that offers shipment tracking. That way, they can have control over their shipment and reduce stress. Shipment tracking can help build a better relationship between the customer and the company. As you can see, there are many benefits to shipment tracking for both businesses and customers. GoShip.com offers customers the ability to track their shipments, view past and upcoming shipments, and create user profiles to deliver a more beneficial shipping experience. To get started with GoShip.com, [get a quote today](https://www.goship.com/)!

Shipment tracking has proved its effectiveness and ability to grow customer satisfaction. You will definitely benefit from applying shipment tracking technologies.

3 Benefits of Shipment Tracking

The trucking industry accounts for almost 70% of freight tonnage moved throughout the U.S. Altogether, the truck market in the U.S. alone is worth [more than $700 billion](https://medium.com/@sambokher/segments-of-u-s-trucking-industry-d872b5fca913). Speaking facts, full truckload freight generates 85% of the entire trucking industry revenue. \
\
Both private and for-hire fleets keep the transportation industry running, and serve as the main transportation mode for thousands of companies. 

Nothing to wonder about, as truckload shipping benefits shippers regardless of the industry and company size. [Truckload freight shipping](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-truckload-shipping-and-how-does-it-work/) refers to moving full containers of freight. 

Full truckload can best benefit shippers who have more than 10,000 pounds, or more than 10 pallets of freight to transport. There is a rule of thumb in FTL: the bigger the freight volume, the more cost-efficient it becomes.

## What are the benefits of full truckload shipping?

### Speed

In full truckload, the entire truck capacity, and the driver, are committed to your freight. This means there are no extra stops during transportation, which makes truckload transit time shorter than other methods. Also, truckload shipping deadlines are usually more precise that in LTL. If your shipments are time-sensitive or headed to only one destination, truckload shipping will work for you.

### Cost-efficient

Since truckload pricing is mostly based on mileage, it can be cost-efficient. The more you ship, the lower the cost per pound is, regardless of the freight type. Often, FTL can even become more economical than [LTL shipping](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping).

### Safety

There are no in-between stops while the truck is on the road, which means less freight handling. This significantly reduces the chances of freight damage, loss or theft, which often happens while unloading at intermediate docks.

## When to use full truckload freight shipping?

Despite truckload freight shipping being the most common and in-demand transportation mode, it is not perfect for every shipper. Before leveraging all the benefits of FTL, make sure it is the right option for you. Full truckload freight will benefit you in the following cases:

* You have more than 10,000 pounds of goods to ship
* Your freight is time-sensitive
* Your shipment goes long-distance

## Truckload freight with GoShip.com

Need to ship a truck? Get an instant free truckload quote!

Shippers who move large amounts of freight can significantly benefit from full truckload shipping services. 

3 Key Benefits of Truckload Freight Shipping

Supply chains in the US have been widely stretched around the globe for decades. Outsourcing and offshoring manufacturing has been a gold standard in the industry until 2020. Then, the pandemic happened, accompanied by many other economic and political factors like the US-China trade contest and Brexit. Considering these factors, the time has come to shorten the supply chains. 



Many retailers and businesses in the US are trying to develop a better local supply chain, use regional freight carriers, and take other steps to make their supply chain more flexible and prone to disruptions. Are the new times coming? Maybe. Regardless, it’s better to be prepared. Here are a few best practices for building a strong local supply chain to complement your [shipping strategy](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-tips-for-shipping-strategy-success-in-2021/).

# What are the benefits of developing a local supply chain?

The cost has always been the greatest obstacle for businesses when considering developing or optimizing their local supply chains. Outsourcing and offshoring are common because remote areas offer much cheaper services and products. The increase in global consumer demand has driven remote suppliers to become more versatile and flexible in their service offerings. This made outsourcing more desirable than local supply chains. 



Strengthening a [local supply chain](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-local-supply-chain-and-how-it-can-help-your-business/) can provide many benefits and reduce costs if done right. A developed local supply chain fosters trusted relationships with suppliers, provides flexibility and an opportunity to negotiate the terms of your partnerships more successfully. But most importantly, this way you make your supply chain less vulnerable to disruptions and increase chances of on-time deliveries, while also helping local manufacturers' community to grow their businesses.

## 3 best practices for a stronger local supply chain



To upgrade your local supply chain operations, it is recommended to follow a conventional business strategy. If you get well-informed about the market trends, establish relationships with local suppliers, and choose a reliable carrier, your small business will grow significantly.

### Investigating the market

It is important to conduct thorough market research to figure out if there are any manufacturers in your area related to your business. Firstly, it would be insightful to look at what your local competitors are doing. Do they work with local suppliers and manufacturers? How successful are they with their efforts? At first sight, it might seem that a selection of suppliers in your area doesn’t provide solutions that directly meet your needs. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they lack skills or expertise. Local manufacturers can turn out to be surprisingly flexible and open to discussing new services or solutions to offer.

### Partnering with local suppliers

Establishing relationships with [regional manufacturers](https://www.goship.com/blog/manufacturing-challenges-in-business-and-shipping/) unlocks many possibilities for business development and profit while presenting your business as a responsible company. With more businesses trying to strengthen their supply chains with local partners, there is an emerging tendency - merging. In the business world, it’s called insourcing and implies acquiring a manufacturer to become a part of your business. This warrants superior transparency and integrity. However, if you are not able to invest in developing your local suppliers, it’s still plenty of opportunities to build trusted and flexible relationships that will benefit both parties.

### Using regional carriers

Apart from production, there is another vital part of any supply chain - transportation. Larger carriers are much more common than regional ones, but regional carriers can close the most challenging gaps across your supply chain, like [last-mile deliveries](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-ways-to-master-your-last-mile-delivery/). Additionally, having a diverse network of regional carriers ensures better expedited and overnight on-time delivery rates, as well as having personalized customer service.

## Optimize your local supply chain with GoShip

GoShip can help you build a reliable network of regional carriers with our shipping platform. Compare rates from different freight carriers in your area or across the country. [Get a quote](https://www.goship.com/) today!

Learn how to create a stable local supply chain business and establish trusted relationships with other local business owners.

How to Build A Strong Local Supply Chain: Top Practices

Navigating the full truckload freight management may be challenging in today’s tight market. Shippers want to maintain a high customer satisfaction level, increase performance, and stick to their budget. This is why companies are looking for ways to secure truckload freight capacity and get top-performing carriers. If you are trying to optimize your FTL freight management, there are some best practices that can boost your [truckload freight](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-truckload-shipping-and-how-does-it-work/) performance.

## 3 Best Practices for Full Truckload (FTL) Freight Management

### Carrier base

The key to having more opportunities in terms of freight capacity is having a wide pool of reliable, high-service level truckload carriers. It’s more likely to find capacity and carriers for your freights-specific requirements when you have a variety of carriers to choose from. Make sure to maintain a network of carriers to be available for you or partner with logistics providers who can give you access to thousands of regional and national carriers.

### Increase lead time

[Lead times](https://www.plslogistics.com/blog/what-is-truckload-lead-time-in-shipping-why-does-it-matter/) play a crucial role in the performance of your truckload freight. First, a longer lead time increases your opportunity to secure the best transportation option in terms of service, equipment, and costs. Apart from that, having more room to book the truck means you will have more accuracy and certainty on delivery dates. With a lead time of 5-6 days or more, it is possible to decently arrange shipments. But, the longer the time is between an order and the deal, the greater the chance your shipment will be on-time, successfully delivered, and be provided will all the required services.

### Use a TMS or the help of a transportation provider

It’s hardly possible to manage and optimize freight transportation without having properly customized software. Having a robust transportation management system gives you immense opportunities to monitor and analyze past and current shipments, as well as forecast and plan future ones. Your truckload freight can be completely managed within a TMS. 

Using this tool, you can find carriers in your area, schedule shipments, save the data, track and monitor freight performance, and identify gaps and possibilities for optimizing any process that you can find. In general, the key to having high-performing full truckload freight is advanced and well-thought planning. 

While a transportation management system gives you deep insight into your freight transportation process, widening your carrier network and increasing lead time could potentially extend your operational performance and save on costs.

If you are trying to optimize your FTL freight management, there are some best practices that can boost your truckload freight performance.

3 Best Practices for Full Truckload (FTL) Freight Management

Planning temperature-controlled shipments can be extremely complicated because the slightest disruption could lead to spoiled products and lost sales. Reefers, or [refrigerated trucks](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-refrigerated-shipping-and-how-does-it-work/), handle 90% of all food distributed through the U.S. 

Aside from meat, dairy, and fresh produce, frozen equipment is also used to carry medicine, flowers, electronics, fine art, cosmetics, and other products that require climate control during transportation. To keep your cold shipments efficient and profitable, you can use several practices for refrigerated shipping to improve your supply chain performance.

## 3 Best Practices for Refrigerated Freight Shipping

Once you have defined whether your products need to be chilled, frozen, or deep-frozen, you can start utilizing best practices for cold shipping to eliminate disruptions.

### Plan ahead, load fast

For the refrigerated shipping process, advanced planning is the key. This encompasses all aspects of your supply chain, from the inventory to the loading process. First, make sure the items are properly packed and stacked before loading. Once a certain loading time is arranged, make sure to be on time and load your freight quickly. Some products, like food and produce, require a faster delivery than electronics and cosmetics, so consider the unique temperature requirements for your type of freight.

### Have a wide network of carriers

Having an extensive pool of carriers gives you more chances to pick high-service, top-performing reefer carriers to handle your goods. Also, this means that in the case of shipping failure, delay, or disruption, you can quickly switch to another provider without time losses. The variety of carriers helps assure that all the requirements for the different product types are met.

### Use the retail compliance program

The best way to avoid unwanted issues related to shipping is to prearrange all the terms and conditions with your shipping provider. For retailers, the most reliable way to do so is to set up a [retail compliance program](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-a-vendor-compliance-program-retail/). In this mutual agreement, both parties outline the requirements and conditions for partnership, as well as determine an action plan and charges in case of violation of this agreement. Refrigerated shipping is an important part of global supply chains and provides people around the world with food, medicine, and other essential goods. Safety is a primary concern for these shipments, so make sure to properly organize your shipping process.

Learn more about the best refrigerated shipping practices to increase your reefer transportation capability.

3 Best Practices for Refrigerated Freight Shipping

Less than truckload shipping is a great and cost-effective option to move relatively small amounts of freight. However, there is a [high demand](https://www.goship.com/blog/2020-ltl-shipping-trends-3-key-updates-on-the-market/) for LTL capacity, and it is often higher than the supply. Shippers that don’t know how to prepare LTL freight and make it more attractive to the carriers may miss out on the opportunity to land a place in an LTL trailer. There are several practices for LTL shipments that can improve your freight’s status and also affect the price you are paying for LTL shipments.

What are the best practices for LTL shipments?
----------------------------------------------

### Consider freight measurements

To make your freight a top priority for carriers, you should look at the shipping process from their perspective. To plan the load, they need to know exactly how many shipments they need to fit in the trailer. Consequently, the more accurate the [dimensions](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-measure-your-freight-shipment-properly/), weight, and density is of your shipment, the less chance there is to be charged for wrong information. This way carriers can correctly arrange space and deliver all the shipments on time. If you have ever shipped LTL, the importance of [freight class](http://www.nmfta.org/pages/nmfc) is not a secret to you. Shipment density is a huge concern for carriers. Large and lightweight freight is hard to plan, so it costs more to ship these types of freight and it is not the first priority for LTL carriers. Combining your loads is also a good way to save on the per-pound price.

### Discuss special requirements

Often [additional services](https://www.goship.com/blog/types-of-ltl-additional-services/) like shipping to [private locations](https://www.goship.com/blog/limited-access-shipping-location/), liftgate, or other special requirements, lead to poor shipment performance and [extra charges](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-avoid-accessorial-charges-in-freight-shipping/). To avoid paying more and facing any form of shipment disruption, discuss all your freight handling requirements in advance.

### Different carriers, different tariffs

There is a difference in how [various carriers](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-ltl-carriers/) define their pricing for the same loads. Mainly, these tariffs are based around [freight class](https://www.goship.com/blog/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class/), density, weight or dimensions. To see the diversity in pricing, it’s recommended to try different LTL carriers. It gives you more flexibility in terms of shipment planning and certainly increases the chances of getting the necessary capacity. Ultimately, the key to successfully shipping LTL is getting shipment information as accurate as possible, fitting in the carriers’ preferred weight limits, and not making additional requirements a surprise to the driver.


If you are planning to move your freight in LTL shipping mode, learn how to optimize the process and improve your delivery service. 

3 Best Practices For Successful LTL Shipments

In our fast-paced world, we’re getting used to receiving what we want and when we want it. We also like to be in control of what’s going on. In particular, this applies to the shipping experience. Eventually, technology impacts the way we get things done. 

Your customers are getting accustomed to the use of technology and the benefits it offers and that’s why it is crucial to provide shipment tracking. Although it seems like we’re living in the age of technology, many companies still don’t offer shipment tracking to their customers, and sometimes if they do, it is poor and hard to navigate. However, the visibility of shipment is crucial for the customers. In fact, [88% of consumers](https://www.dropoff.com/blog/retail-delivery-consumer-survey-shoptalk-2018) say that real-time order tracking is important. If you are aware of what is going on within your supply chain, you can analyze the information to define gaps and increase efficiency. The greatest reason to use shipment tracking is that it [makes your customers satisfied](https://www.goship.com/posts/3-benefits-of-shipment-tracking), enhancing their overall experience. Shipment visibility is a major contributor to the general impression you are giving to your client. Here are the few compelling reasons why shipment tracking can make customers get back to you:

## **Customer satisfaction**

Imagine ordering expensive or valuable stuff online, and not getting a single update during a certain period of time. Most likely, you’ll be stressed out wondering where your package is and whether the order has been processed at all. Not a situation you’d like to be in, right? When customers order something online, they expect to track the package from the start to the end. Even if any delays occur, the customer can see it and at least will have the information before something happens.

## **Insights for the shipper**

Essentially, shipment tracking is a valuable feature for your customers. But few think how valuable it can be for the sender. Firstly, it lets you keep track of the orders and information it contains. Additionally, you can use this data to enhance your service and define operational gaps. Without a thorough insight into the supply chain, you can’t make any efficient decisions.

## **Cost-efficiency**

One of the little-known benefits of shipment visibility is that it lets you see additional fees and accessorial charges that can apply during transit. Knowing this information can help eliminate unnecessary spending and better optimize your transportation strategy. Additionally, if you provide satisfying tracking features, customers perceive you as a reliable company. Ultimately, this results in customer retention and loyalty and helps bring in more profit. [GoShip.com](https://uat.app.goship.com/) offers automated and detailed shipment tracking that will benefit both you and your customers. Start shipping with getting a **free quote** and see how the package visibility can help you!

The practice of shipment tracking greatly affects customer experience. Consider applying tracking systems to increase your shipping visibility. 

3 Reasons Why Shipment Tracking Matters To Customers

Small business owners are incredible multitaskers. In most cases, they are extremely involved in every small process that runs within a company. Learning every intricacy at every stage is complicated. One of the largest parts of the small business working process is shipping. Whether it’s shipping materials from suppliers, getting products for retail, or shipping directly to your customers, shipping is an integral part of the small business processes. Many companies underestimate the role of small business shipping, and by extension, the costs it consumes. An undeveloped shipping strategy can result in extra spending, stress, and frustrated customers. Obviously, it is impossible to become a logistics expert with other business needs weighing on your shoulders. But, there are common shipping mistakes small businesses make, and you can learn to avoid them by making your shipping efficient.

## 3 small business shipping mistakes to watch out for:

### 1. Estimating costs by 'eye-balling it'

Shipping [rates](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-freight-rates/) are tricky. To determine the accurate final cost, you need a ton of variable factors starting with precise shipment dimensions, weight to commodity type, and additional services. It’s very easy to miss something. Rates also depend on the season, lane, weather, and even a date. So, the major mistake of small businesses is guessing shipping costs. 

Compare rates from different services and include all the possible information to make your estimate even more accurate. Shipping information is a whole other concern. When it comes to numbers in freight shipping, you can’t assume - you must know. Do the homework and prepare the correct measures for your shipment, learn delivery requirements, etc. Research and preparation will help you significantly save on your shipping costs.

### 2. Planning last minute

Another common mistake small businesses make is not planning their shipment in advance. The thing is, advanced preparation typically means lower costs. It’s in everyone’s best interest to know what the plans are. For you, it means clarity with inventory needs and budgets. For carriers, it means secured shipment for their capacity. Although it is impossible to plan every single shipment ahead, practice makes for more accurate rates.

### 3. Using fewer shipping options

There are plenty of shipping options out there, all offering different services at different prices. It is always better to have a bigger pool of shipping partners to back you up in unpredictable situations. After some time of researching and trying different options, you will find a few reliable shipping services you like utilizing. But, before getting stuck with one carrier and not knowing about other prices, try to explore all the possibilities.

Small business owners are incredible multitaskers. Learn what are the common small business shipping mistakes and how to avoid them to improve your small business supply chain. 

3 Small Business Shipping Mistakes You Should Avoid

COVID-19 and the subsequent economic fallout was a trying time for both businesses and supply chains in 2020. And while uncertainty still hangs over many businesses, others are adopting new practices to shore up their shipping strategies in a post-COVID marketplace. 2020 proved that there are still changes to be made if businesses are going to build shipping strategies designed to withstand any storms that come over the horizon. 

## Preparing a successful shipping strategy for 2021

### 1. Pay attention to market changes

It is easy to get swept away with everyday tasks and become reactive, but it is critical to stay proactive and be aware of the general changes going on in the market that can indicate how small businesses should function moving forward. For example, it is important to stay updated with the latest [NMFC changes](https://info.transportationinsight.com/blog/nmfc-changes-december%22%20/), especially if you are shipping LTL freight, or keep an eye on the [general rate increases](https://www.goship.com/blog/2021-outlook-small-business-trends/) of significant carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS.  

Another trend that would hardly go unnoticed is the surge in digitalization. Of course, this is nothing new to the industry, but the COVID-19 pandemic made companies innovate ways to establish or maintain a strong online presence. A fitting example of such a shift was the grocery industry, where produce shippers and retailers joined forces and discovered new business models to reach their audience and most importantly, keep the sales going. 

It is important to stay focused on general industry trends, but it is equally important to consider the unique experience of your business when developing your 2021 strategy. 

### 2. Plan your transportation budget

For many businesses, a good shipping strategy is the one that ensures staying in line with their budget while still delivering an excellent customer experience. While this is a challenge in the current market, a thorough transportation budget strategy will help set realistic expectations about the operations, further investments, partnerships, etc. 

We recently published a handful of tips on how to successfully [set up a transportation budget](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-tips-for-transportation-budgeting-in-2021/) for a small business in 2021. 

### 3. Diversify your carrier network

After the pandemic and consequential economic shutdown, businesses are striving to make their supply chains more flexible and resilient. One of the best ways to achieve this agility is diversifying your carrier network so you have more choice with rates, service, operation area, and carrier specialty. 

This can be especially beneficial to shippers who use different transportation modes (both LTL and full truckload), and ship regionally, across the state, and even internationally. 

## Bonus: Kick-start 2021 with GoShip

GoShip.com will be a vital tool for small business shipping strategy in 2021.  We can help you access more freight carriers and reach better flexibility with your shipping efforts. We provide an online platform for quick and free comparison of freight rates. Try it out and get a free quote now!

Start working on an effective shipping strategy to stay competitive on the logistics market in 2021.

3 Tips for Building A Successful Shipping Strategy in 2021

It’s mid-September, and the [busy shipping season](https://www.goship.com/blog/moving-season-best-time-to-move/) is in full swing! While this month is more known for back to school and the start of fall, now is the perfect time to book shipments, whether you're moving equipment or from one city to another. But before you start packing up and searching for the best rates, there are some important factors you should consider.

## 3 tips for the busy moving season

### 1. Start by Cleaning!

If you're planning a personal move, the first step isn't packing, it's deciding what to bring with you! We all have plenty of useless trinkets, and it's best to declutter and get rid of these before moving. Not only will reduce your belongings' overall weight and reduce shipping costs, but with less stuff, you'll save time moving too!

### 2. Packaging

Most shipping providers will ask you to pack your things yourself, so it's best to provide secure packaging and avoid any damage during loading and transit. The best tools for packaging are pallets, crates, boxes, and cardboards. Using protective foam, paper and tapes will also help make your load less prone to damage.

### 3. Find a Reliable Shipping Service

For most shipments, doing everything on your own is a bad idea. You'll be able to avoid most of the risk and hassle by [using a shipping service](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-moving-company/)! By tapping into a partner's expertise and resources, your shipment will be easier for you to manage, making moving a breeze. GoShip's innovative shipping platform matches customers with carriers best suited for the job at the best price possible. If you're planning on moving or shipping during this busy transit season, book with GoShip for the best rates!

Busy moving season can be quite challenging for the shippers without a determined logistics strategy. Start preparing for the peak moving season in advance!

3 Tips for the Busy Moving Season

Setting a transportation budget for [2021](https://www.goship.com/blog/2021-outlook-small-business-trends/) seems like a daunting task after the roller coaster that was in 2020. While many companies will surely keep their budgets low, logistics and transportation experts anticipate a rise in short-term contracts, extending existing agreements, and early planning.

## What are 3 key things to consider when planning your transportation budget in 2021?

### 1. Rates will increase

As a direct reflection of conditions created by COVID-19, there has been a dip in pricing across all main [transportation modes](https://www.goship.com/posts/modes-of-transportation-in-logistics): parcel, LTL, and truckload. Parcel and LTL rates recovered from their top positions at the beginning of 2020 while truckload rates continued their descending course that had begun before 2020. Rates are expected to grow, eventually. Parcel giants UPS and FedEx have recently announced a 4.9% General Rate Increase, but the real cost to shippers is expected to be much higher. LTL rates are predicted to grow 2-5%, while contract rates are to climb 3-5%. Expect spot market rates to increase 5-7% range and intermodal rates to rise close to 10%.

### 2. Advanced planning

Open communication and planning ahead will bring more savings potential to companies this year. While fewer businesses will be open to working with new partners and signing long-term deals, it is still essential to stay connected with your existing network of suppliers, carriers, forwarders, etc. Forecasting lanes and volumes can have a massive impact on the ultimate transportation costs. Route optimizations can save great amounts of transit time and consequently reduce overall transportation spending. For example, [DHL saves 10 million gallons](https://www.logistics.dhl/content/dam/dhl/global/core/documents/pdf/glo-artificial-intelligence-in-logistics-trend-report.pdf) of fuel annually from route optimizations alone.

### 3. Investing in technology

While it may seem that it’s not the time for significant investments, many companies plan to invest in process management and technology for the long-term outcome. Transportation flow and operations management appeared to define the entire transportation industry, and businesses will increasingly look for ways to set up a stable and robust fundament. Technology provides better forecasting, risk management, smooth operations, and ultimately, cost savings and higher profits.

Make sure you stay ahead of the game in 2021 with GoShip's transparent rates and qualified carrier network! Get a free quote today and start saving!

Here are 3 key things to consider when calculating your costs and planning your transportation budget in 2021.

3 Tips for Transportation Budgeting in 2021

Since the pandemic began, logistics and transportation have been the catch-22 of all business ventures. 

The rise of small businesses started as a means to earn as everyone stayed home in quarantine. Product-centric companies were less able to deliver goods to customers. While it remains tricky, there are ways to familiarize yourself with its traditional customs and the new normal.   

As a manager, remember to keep your budget as the number one priority. Your transportation budget is often overlooked, but it counts for more than anyone thinks.  

## What is a transportation budget?  

Every dollar you spend on getting your goods from one place to another belongs to your Transportation Budget. All forms of transport, shipment, deliveries, and handling are included within the budget.  

With new protocols in place, added expenses pile on top of the usual costs. Stay up to date on regulations to keep your organization’s transportation strategy current. 

Some specific factors involved in all sectors’ transportation budgets are:  

### Fuel  

Whether you are in a product or service-centric business, fuel plays a role. How much will it take to get your products to the warehouse, and how much will it take to deliver them to your customers? If you are dispatching your services, how much fuel will it take to get your employees where they need to go?   

### Transportation vehicles 

What kind of vehicles do you need for your business? Do you need a van to bring your team or your products around, or can you opt for a more efficient sedan?   

Deliveries include the delivery of your services. You can discern which makes more sense from a financial perspective between allowing your employees to drive themselves, finding their own ride, or providing company transportation services.   

### Insurance  

Insurance always plays a role in business; it is always best to protect your financial and tangible assets.   

While you can’t always predict the risks your business takes on, you can protect yourself against them by availing of the necessary insurance. Insurance is always factored into the budget, but did you know your transportation budget should have its own insurance allocations?  

There is plenty you need to consider in planning your transportation budget, but this is what is most important: 

## 3 key things to consider when planning your transportation budget in 2022 

Below are some tips that will prove helpful in planning your transportation budget. Some may seem to be “common sense,” but here, we will talk about how you can apply it directly to the budgeting of your transportation. One tip might have you thinking, “why didn’t I think of that?”   

Business owners tend to overlook aspects by keeping their perspective more general to supervise each component to work with each other more cohesively. However, keeping an eye on the details will help you manage your budget better in the long run.   

Don’t forget; it’s all in the details. If you need to keep your attention on supervising operations, delegate the gathering of relevant information to someone you can trust. You and that person can evaluate them as a whole and find where you can improve or where you need to dedicate more budgeting.   

### Know your way around  

With newer trends on top of old ones, it’s easy to lose track of the latest fad. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the basics.   

First and foremost, understand your product’s supply-chain operations. This will help orient you on the industry you are in and how to navigate your company’s needs. By understanding its entirety, you will be able to find workarounds better suited for your company.  

At the very least, if you know how the supply chain operates, you can gauge freight volumes and their costs. Being in the know will prevent others from taking advantage using various invalid reasons to kick back more expenses.   

### Fuel your knowledge  

A considerable part of what you need to know is fuel prices. Stay on top of each drop and hike, as fuel prices tend to fluctuate.   

Because one of transportation prices’ most determining factors is fuel, your budget is most likely affected by this component. Usually, couriers base price hikes and dips on the percentage of how much fuel prices go up or down and adjust their prices accordingly.   

Knowing how much prices go up or down will allow you to gauge how much delivery fees might fluctuate and set your prices accordingly. Considering trends are often announced a few days beforehand, you can alter the schedule of your deliveries before hikes and after drops.  

### The volume of your knowledge matters  

Whether you are the sole manager of your business or have various managers handling different departments, you should always be aware of your operations; knowledge of inventory, sales, associated vendors, and any relevant analysis is crucial. 

Knowing different components allow for more accurate projections. It is more beneficial for budget planning and financial forecasts when estimating the volume of freight deliveries in conjunction with past and present market dynamics.   

To put it shortly, predetermining the volume of your deliveries can help you budget better because you will be able to avail services more accurately beforehand, instead of on the spot, which might incur additional costs.   

Luckily, there are freight shipping marketplaces you can go to that help you with the relevant projections.   

## GoShip 

[GoShip](https://www.goship.com/) is a freight shipping marketplace operating nationwide.   

GoShip is a platform small to mid-scale businesses can go to find the services they need. After estimating your freight volume with [GoShip’s quoting assistance](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/quote-ltl) on their website, you are one step closer to moving your products. 

GoShip offers freight shipment services for Less Than Truckload and Full Truckload volumes. We suggest utilizing their free quoting assistance before choosing which service fits your needs better.  

When following your budget, some hesitation is understandable. However, GoShip’s multifaceted services come at affordable prices. Its forty-two thousand certified carriers are also a good solution for small businesses with limited resources.   

While there may be cheaper carriers, you might end up paying for more should it result in damages and delays. GoShip’s cost-effective freight solutions are more reliable than lesser-known freight shippers.   

The platform also provides freight insurance you can factor into your budget for worst-case scenarios. Always keep your long-term budget in mind before deciding who you entrust with handling your products.

Following a few simple tips such as understanding the logistics industry and the volume of your shipments will help you build a transportation budget and successful business.

3 Tips for Transportation Budgeting in 2022

For small business owners who [wear many hats](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-small-business-shipping-mistakes-you-should-avoid/), it may be complicated to navigate the truckload freight shipping process, especially when it comes to finding the best quotes. While it might seem complicated, a good [truckload shipping strategy](https://www.goship.com/blog/optimizing-your-truckload-shipping-strategy/) can improve your customer satisfaction, save costs, and increase business efficiency. Getting accurate truckload quotes is a stepping stone towards more reasonable spending and a smooth shipping process.

## How to get the best truckload quotes

### 1. Learn the basics

To find the best rates for your shipments, it's important to understand how the freight quoting process works. Many different factors [affect truckload rates](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-are-truckload-freight-rates-calculated/) like shipment volume, mileage, lane, seasonality, carrier, etc. It’s also crucial to understand the different [types of rates](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-are-the-different-types-of-freight-rates/): spot and contract rates.  Once you've familiarized yourself with the basics, you'll be able to spot a competitive rate from an outrageous one.

### 2. Know your shipment

Knowing how what you're trying to ship factors into the shipping rate is a crucial part of shipping efficiency. Rates can vary wildly, not only because of what is being shipped, but also because of the mileage, destination, lane, current market capacity, and [seasonality](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-are-the-four-freight-shipping-seasons/) of the shipment. If you're able to figure those details out ahead of time, you can prepare yourself for the quoting process.

### 3. Use professional platforms

Becoming a pro at negotiating the best rates comes with a lot of practice and extensive industry knowledge, which is often an unnecessary hardship for businesses. There are professional services with expertise to find the best truckload quotes for your company. In an online digital platform like GoShip.com, you can find available carriers and compare rates in a matter of seconds. Our convenient online calculator lets you find any option upon your business requests. [](https://www.goship.com/)

Use our short guide to get the best full truckload quote and ship your orders with no disruptions.

3 Tips on How to Get the Best Full Truckload Quotes

The development of the digital world opens up a lot of doors for business owners to secure customers on a global scale. When the right strategies are employed, e-commerce can establish a business' brand globally and lead to skyrocketing sales.  

## Importance of Having a Strong E-commerce Presence 

In today’s digitalized world, having a solid online presence is key to maintaining a flourishing business, even if your business primarily deals in offline transactions. Nowadays, most people look online to compare prices and read customer reviews before making purchasing decisions. An online presence makes it easy for prospective customers worldwide to find your products and services and patronize you. 

Some other reasons why having a strong e-commerce presence is necessary are: 

* **It helps you target customers in a specific niche:** A search engine optimized online presence enables you to target customers searching for the specific products and services you offer.  
* **You reach a wider audience with lower costs:** Digital advertisement through e-commerce costs a lot less than traditional advertising.  

Undoubtedly, e-commerce is a step in the right direction for any forward-thinking business. With this in mind, here are three tips to help you improve e-commerce sales.   

## 1. Update your website frequently 

Frequently updating your website is an easy way to keep your audience informed about changes in the industry and how those changes affect your product offerings. Showing your visitors that you’re conversant with the new developments in your industry assures them of your expertise and builds trust in your prospective customers. This trust makes them more likely to purchase whatever products or services you offer. 

Keeping your website updated goes beyond frequent content updates. It involves changing your website's appearance every few years and introducing captivating visuals to grab visitors' attention. The landing page can also be tweaked from time to time to highlight certain aspects of your business.  

## 2. Be Mobile-friendly 

Because newer mobile devices are now equipped with higher processing and storage power, the digital world is seeing a massive shift of focus from desktop to mobile devices. When creating a website from e-commerce sales, it is crucial to design the website to be mobile-friendly and responsive across different types of devices.  

Being mobile-friendly does a lot more than providing your website with convenience and ease of use. It is a cost-effective way to boost SEO, as accessibility is one of the main things search engine algorithms look for in a website. It also allows prospective customers to switch devices while browsing your site without facing annoying hurdles.  

### More customers are shopping on their mobile devices than ever before  

Studies show that the average American spends between five to six hours daily on their mobile phone. This amounts to over a third of waking hours spent on their smartphone, most likely browsing the internet. Having a mobile-friendly e-commerce presence allows you to take your business straight to the fingertips of potential customers. Research reveals that even people that eventually buy a particular product offline still search for it online to get an idea of the price and the best vendors around.  

### Use social media  

More than half of the world's population of 8 billion people are active on social media sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Thus, social media is a great environment to build your brand and communicate effectively with your audience. The individualized nature of social media also helps to humanize your business. A brand with active social media pages looks authentic and is more likely to be trusted by potential consumers.  

## 3. Transparency with customers  

Transparency involves being honest about your business operations, allowing your customers to hold you accountable, and maintaining integrity in all your communications. The biggest benefit of transparency is that it promotes trust.  

Make sure customers can take your word for it when you give them information about the nature and quality of your products, the prices, and the delivery times. When you lay down a strong legacy of transparency for your e-commerce business, you are setting your business up for growth because customers are more likely to remain loyal to your brand and recommend you to others. 

### FAQ page  

The FAQ page is the go-to section for people who wish to have a better understanding of what your business offers. This page allows you to provide quick and relevant answers to specific questions that potential customers may have concerning your business. A well-integrated FAQ page can increase the volume of high-quality traffic to your site, boost customer experience, and improve sales by providing adequate information to cause a purchasing decision. 

### Include a “Contact Us” page  

A "Contact Us" page comprises all the contact information through which a visitor can reach your business. This page typically includes your business phone number, email address, social media links, and a physical address. Including this page on your website can boost sales and customer retention by ensuring that prospective customers can get in touch with you as soon as they want to.  

## Your e-commerce business can use a reliable logistics partner  

Shipping and logistics services are integral to the success of an e-commerce business. At GoShip, we connect you to efficient and reliable freight carriers without requiring the services of a freight broker. With the help of our [online quotation](https://quotes.goship.com/booking/request-quote) tool, you can get free quotes depending on the shipping information you provide. Visit our [website](https://www.goship.com/) today to get started.

E-commerce is becoming more important daily and if your business isn't ahead of the curve, you're behind. Tactics such as having a professional and relevant website along with communication with customers can improve your e-commerce sales and help you grow your business.

3 Tips to Improve Ecommerce Sales

In today’s customer-centric world, it is critical to meet and even exceed your customer expectations as a small business. Shipping and delivery are vital parts of the picture when it comes to customer satisfaction. Thus, businesses should develop a flexible shipping strategy that will provide enough visibility to enhance the ultimate leg of the supply chain - [last-mile delivery](https://www.goship.com/blog/last-mile-delivery-improve-service/). 

While this is the last step, it is often the most challenging and expensive part. In fact, more than [25% of businesses](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/last-mile-bearing-brunt-ecommerce-boom-danielle-horsnell/?published=t) name delivery efficiency as one of their biggest burdens.

## How to improve your last-mile delivery?

### Better inventory management

Timely order fulfillment and proper inventory management play a key role in the frictionless shipping process. Although inventory may not seem directly connected to the success of the last-mile logistics, it is a primary aspect businesses should take into consideration. 

In [supply chain management](https://www.goship.com/blog/make-your-supply-chain-management-more-efficient/), there is a domino effect: if one part goes wrong, all the following steps are likely to be disrupted as well. Keeping this concept in mind, you can take major steps towards improving your last-mile delivery by ensuring you have enough stock and that orders are fulfilled in an efficient and timely manner.

### Data analysis to improve performance management

Another important step to improving your last-mile delivery is to reduce dwell time in warehouses and facilities. Shippers should define why such bottlenecks happen in the first place, which falls under the category of performance management. 

It is a challenging task, but you can extract valuable insights by analyzing information regarding your shipments and studying delivery records. For example, a certain carrier could be causing delays in freight delivery, or there might be long dwell times on a particular location. 

Insights from your data analysis will help improve performance management and master your last-mile delivery.

### End-to-end visibility with technology

Transparent shipping is equally vital for the customer and shipping experience. From the shipper’s perspective, it enables a proactive approach to shipment management because shippers can see freight movement in real-time. 

The shipper can see and quickly address arising issues, or at least become aware of them and strategize solutions for future shipments. For customers, accessible shipment tracking is a critical option. 

It develops a sense of credibility for the shipper, lets customers have a sense of control over their order and plan the timing if it’s a gift or an urgent purchase. There are many solutions available at the market to provide supply chain visibility and enable shipment tracking, such as email updates or mobile apps where real-time tracking is enabled. 

Many shipping platforms, like GoShip.com, provide applications where you can [track your shipment](https://www.goship.com/resources/app/) in real-time. This way you can be sure that freight has arrived at the facility, warehouse, or the end customer. Ready to try for free? Download our app in [Appstore](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/goship-on-demand-shipment-app/id1474834855) or in [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goship)!

Upgrading last-mile delivery can completely reverse the flow of your supply chain and reduce the risks of shipping disruptions.

3 Ways To Master Your Last-Mile Delivery

Resources are essential because it allows businesses to achieve their target objectives. Having a clear picture of your business resources makes planning and management much more efficient and transparent.

The four main types of small business resources are:

1. Financial Resources
2. Material Resources
3. Human Resources
4. Intellectual Resources

In this article, learn about the four types of small business resources. We'll give you a brief overview of how you can manage these resources to scale your business.



## What is a business resource?

Simply put, business resources are an organization's inputs' or 'assets' used to produce an outcome, whether it's a product or service.

Assets can either be tangible or intangible. Tangible assets include finances, human assets, equipment, real estate, tools, and machinery. Intangible assets include technology, patents, partnerships, databases, software, skills, culture, and expertise.

Businesses need to build strategies to manage and balance available resources to achieve an objective.

Business resources are considered valuable if they ensure a better customer experience than competitors. Availability, depreciation, and appropriability also make resources more valuable for a business.

### Why are business resources important?

Businesses, of course, need assets and resources to produce an output. Business resources are considered the "basic building blocks" of a company. Having a clear picture of your business resources will give you an overview of all the processes that make up your operations. This will help you optimize planning and management strategies to build your brands.



## What is the difference between a Small and Large Business?

Compared to large businesses, [a small business](https://asq.org/quality-resources/small-business) is privately-owned, a sole proprietorship, or a partnership. Generally, small businesses have fewer human resources, fewer financial assets, and less annual revenue.

To give you a better idea, these are the key differences between small vs. large businesses:

* **Structure:** Large businesses have a more rigid hierarchical structure and job profiles. Meanwhile, small businesses have a more flexible environment that allows employees to engage in decision-making.
* **Salary:** Larger companies often offer higher salaries. However, some small employers try to balance the discrepancy by providing substantive benefits.
* **Employees:** Micro-enterprises have fewer than ten employees, while small enterprises have between 10 to 50 employees. Large companies have at least 250 employees.
* **Culture:** Compared to small businesses, large businesses tend to be more conservative when it comes to risk-taking. Meanwhile, large companies also tend to have a standardized and regulated employee culture. Small businesses often have a diverse workforce that encourages change and growth.



## What are the four main types of business resources?

### Financial Resources

Financial assets are used by businesses to buy raw materials and pay salaries; financial resources are the funding a company uses to spend.

[Types of funding](https://www.marketing91.com/four-types-of-business-resources/) include cash and bank assets, venture capital, shares, checks, promissory notes, and checks that can be converted into cash.

Effective financial resource management is critical to achieving a business' target objectives. In case of a shortage of financial business resources, business operations are halted.

Sources of financial assets include:

* Equity shares or share capital
* Preference shares
* Trade credit
* Debenture
* Retained earnings
* Working capital loans
* Bill discounting
* Venture funding
* Factoring services
* Lease finance

### **Material Resources**

Material business resources are physical or tangible assets used to produce an output or improve performance.

Material assets are constantly subject to change and innovation as technology progresses. 

Important material assets include:

* Raw materials 
* Machinery
* Technological tools and equipment
* Real estate
* Furniture and supplies
* Manufactured product

### Human Resources

Employees and their skills are critical assets to an organization. Humans are the foundation of a successful business, regardless of company size. Because of this, human resource management is considered one of the most critical sectors in a business.

Human resources in businesses are responsible for recruiting, screening, and training job applicants to help the organization achieve its goals. Human resource management also deals with company culture, knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Aside from maximizing employee productivity through training and development, the HR department is critical for employee well-being by administering employee benefits and compensation.

### Intellectual Resources

Intellectual resources are intangible assets that can't be seen or touched. Unlike material resources, intellectual resources appreciate with use. These resources are developed through learning and coaching.

Intangible assets include copyrights, partnerships, patents, brands, intellectual properties, customer knowledge, product reputation, customer service reputation, brand reputation, and technologies that make business operations easier and more streamlined. Tech software and customer databases are among the most highly sought out intellectual resources.



## Scale up your business with a logistics partner

Whether you run a small or large business, shipping and logistics services are critical to growing a business. 

The supply chain is a network of companies that produce and distribute goods. Supply chains involve all four types of business resources that need careful management for streamlined operations.

Logistics involves warehousing and transportation, but many small businesses don't have enough resources to improve logistics operations. Thankfully, there are companies that offer logistics resources to small businesses at an affordable price. Now, the only problem is how to find the best logistics partners for your business.

Researching freight services and logistics partners can be complicated. Aside from contacting each company, you also need to engage in tough negotiation battles before comparing prices. Goship.com is different

### GoShip.com for logistics resources

Small to medium-sized business owners should use an online freight shipping marketplace to find affordable and reliable truckload and less-than-truckload freight shipping services. [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) is a self-service platform that makes it easy to find and work with domestic freight carriers. There's no need to talk with a freight broker and negotiate prices.

All you have to do is enter your shipping information for a free, instant quote. GoShip.com also offers easy booking and reliable customer support for small businesses.

All businesses, whatever the scale, need resources to operate. Business resources, or factors of production, allow organizations to create outputs in the form of products or services

4 Types of Small Business Resources

All businesses, whatever the scale, need resources to operate. Business resources or factors of production allow organizations to create outputs, whether these are products or services. Resources are important because it allows businesses to achieve their target objectives. Having a clear picture of your business resources makes planning and management much more efficient and transparent.

The four main types of small business resources are:

1. Financial Resources
2. Material Resources
3. Human Resources
4. Intellectual Resources

In this article, learn about the four types of small business resources. We’ll give you a brief overview of how you can manage these resources to scale your business.

## What is a business resource?

To put it simply, business resources are an organizations ‘inputs’ or ‘assets’ that are used to produce an outcome, whether it’s a product or service. Assets can either be tangible or intangible. Tangible assets include finances, human assets, equipment, real estate, tools, and machinery. Intangible assets include technology, patents, partnerships, databases, software, skills, culture, and expertise.

Businesses need to build strategies to manage and balance available resources to achieve an objective. Business resources are considered valuable if it ensures a better customer experience compared to competitors. Availability, depreciation, and appropriability also make resources more valuable for a business.

### Why are business resources important?

Businesses need assets and resources to produce an output. True enough. Business resources are considered the “basic building blocks” of a company.

Having a clear picture of your business resources will give you an overview of all the processes that make up your operations. This will help you optimize planning and management strategies to build your brand.

## What is the difference between a Small and Large Business?

Compared to large businesses, [a small business](https://asq.org/quality-resources/small-business) is privately-owned, a sole proprietorship, or a partnership. Generally, small businesses have fewer human resources, fewer financial assets, and less annual revenue.

To give you a better idea, these are the key differences between small vs. large businesses:

* Structure: Large businesses have a more rigid hierarchical structure and job profiles. Meanwhile, small businesses have a more flexible environment that allows employees to engage in decision-making.
* Salary: Larger companies often offer higher salaries. However, some small employers try to balance the discrepancy by offering substantive benefits.
* Employees: Micro-enterprises have fewer than 10 employees, while small enterprises have between 10 to 50 employees. Large companies have at least 250 employees.
* Culture: Compared to small businesses, large businesses tend to be more conservative when it comes to risk-taking. Meanwhile,large companies also tend to have a standardized and regulated employee culture. Small businesses often have a diverse workforce that encourages change and growth.

## What are the four main types of business resources?

These are the four types of resources that are critical for business growth.

1. ### Financial Resources

Financial assets are used by businesses to buy raw materials and pay salaries. To put it simply, financial resources are the funding a company uses to spend.

[Types of funding](https://www.marketing91.com/four-types-of-business-resources/) include cash and bank assets, venture capital, shares, checks, promissory notes, and checks that can be converted into cash.

Effective financial resource management is critical to achieving a business’ target objectives. In case of a shortage of financial business resources, operations of the business are halted.

Sources of financial assets include:

* Equity shares or share capital
* Preference shares
* Trade credit
* Debenture
* Retained earnings
* Working capital loans
* Bill discounting
* Venture funding
* Factoring services
* Lease finance

2. ### Material Resources

Material business resources are physical or tangible assets that are used to produce an output or improve performance.

Material assets are constantly subject to change and innovation as technology progresses. 

Important material assets include:

* Raw materials 
* Machinery
* Technological tools and equipment
* Real estate
* Furniture and supplies
* Manufactured product

3. ### Human Resources

Employees and their skills are critical assets to an organization. Humans are considered the foundation of a successful business, regardless of company size. Because of this, human resource management is considered one of the most important sectors in a business.

Human resources in businesses are responsible for recruiting, screening, and training job applicants that will help the organization achieve its goals. Human resource management also deals with company culture, knowledge, skills, and expertise.

Aside from maximizing employee productivity through training and development, the HR department is critical for employee well-being by administering employee benefits and compensation.

4. ### Intellectual Resources

Intellectual resources are intangible assets. This means that they can’t be seen or touched. Unlike material resources, intellectual resources appreciate with use. It is developed through learning and coaching. Intangible assets include copyrights, partnerships, patents, brands, and intellectual properties. These also include customer knowledge, product reputation, customer service reputation, and brand reputation. Intellectual business resources also include technologies that make business operations easier and more streamlined. These include softwares and customer databases.

## Scale-up your business with a logistics partner

Whether you run a small or large business, shipping and logistics services are critical to growing a business. The supply chain is a network of businesses that produce and distribute goods. It involves all four main types of business resources that need careful management for streamlined operations.

Logistics involves warehousing and transportation, but many small businesses don’t have enough resources to improve their logistics operations. Thankfully, there are companies that offer logistics resources to small businesses at an affordable price. Now, the only problem is how to find the best logistics partners to work with.

Researching freight services and logistics partners can be complicated. Aside from contacting each company, you also need to engage in tough negotiation battles before comparing prices. 

### Choose GoShip.com for logistics resources

Small to medium-sized business owners should use an online freight shipping marketplace to find affordable and reliable truckload and less-than-truckload freight shipping services.

[GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) is a self-service platform that makes it easy to find and work with domestic freight carriers. There’s no need to talk with a freight broker and negotiate prices.

All you have to do is enter your shipping information, and you’ll get a free instant quotation. GoShip.com also offers easy booking and reliable customer support for small businesses.

In this article, learn about the four types of small business resources. We’ll give you a brief overview of how you can manage these resources to scale your business.

When you need to ship goods, there are many common shipping challenges that can present themselves. Without the right knowledge, overcoming those challenges can be tough. Luckily, GoShip.com can help alleviate those issues for you.

Let’s take a look at 5 of the most common shipping challenges and how to fix them:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

###  **Manpower**

Your business is only as strong as your people. As the logistics industry expands and becomes more complex, so does the knowledge needed to manage logistics from within. It’s important to build a strong team knowledgeable about industry trends and developing relationships to run your operations. At GoShip.com, we can be that person for you.

### **Carrier Selection**

With so many carrier options, how do you decide which is the best one to use? It’s best to understand your shipment’s requirements first, then research carriers to ensure they’re able to handle your type of shipment. Not all carriers are created equal, some are better than others depending on your freight shipping needs. Also, it’s wise to review past experiences with that carrier so you can have peace of mind when using them for your LTL shipping.

### **Finding the best rate**

There are many factors that contribute to the shipping costs associated with your freight. Your pickup and destination ZIP codes determine the distance, and usually, further distances cost more. The size and weight of your item will vary the cost as well. An item that is light and relatively small will cost less than an item that is large and heavy. Make sure to also factor in any additional services, they [contribute to your total cost](https://www.goship.com/blog/factors-determine-ltl-shipping-rates/).

### **Documentation**

Always make sure you properly fill out any forms required for your shipment. If you’re shipping internationally, it’s crucial to have your customs form filled out correctly. Make sure to secure the bill of lading on your freight and review it to ensure the information is correct before shipping. Additionally, understand what the freight class is for what is being shipped. If you are unsure of your freight class, it will be estimated based on the dimensions and weight provided.

### **Planning ahead**

Understanding when you need your freight delivered is important. It’s important to plan ahead, especially during holidays or when there’s potential for bad weather. Otherwise, you may experience a delay in delivery. Your carrier knows the importance of on-time delivery and they will do their best to stay on schedule. At GoShip.com, we are the middle-man between you and the carriers. Our goal is to make your life easier, and we’re one less person to hire. We are up to date on all industry trends and adjust strategy accordingly, so you don’t have to. GoShip.com reviews carrier qualifications and matches you with only the most qualified carriers for your specific shipment. We make comparing rates easy by pulling from our vast carrier network and showing you hundreds of rates side by side. Ready for your shipment? Get your [Free Quote](https://www.goship.com/) now and start shipping with ease!


Learning about the most common freight shipping challenges will help you avoid potential mistakes and organize the transportation process properly.

The Most Common Freight Shipping Challenges and How to Fix Them

Whether you’re a business owner or an individual shipper, finding the best online shipping company to ship with is a tough call.

If you’re handling a business, the right shipping partner won’t just cut back costs on deliveries. It’ll also make your day-to-day operations smooth and issue-free. Not to mention, offering fast and affordable shipping rates to your clients can mean more sales and a booming business!

With so much at stake, you must evaluate multiple carriers and choose the best fit that will meet your goals and supply chain needs.

## Top five factors to look for in the best shipping company

### Affordability

For many shippers, pricing is the determining factor when choosing the right shipping company. Companies that offer wholesale pricing and promo codes will give you a better chance of getting a higher profit margin.

However, you should know that pricing isn’t the only factor that makes a shipping service affordable –– you should also consider the quality of service and delivery time.

In the end, it still won’t be considered a win if you choose the cheapest carrier that sacrifices the quality of service and delivery time.

With that, you must evaluate potential carriers’ affordability based on pricing, quality, and delivery turnaround times.

### Accessible Services

Finding a shipping carrier that you can rely on 24/7 isn’t going to be easy.

Does the carrier offer the particular shipping services you need? Is customer support readily available?

Reviewing what type of service you need will help you figure out which companies to reach out to. However, it gets more complicated if you’re running a business that requires more than one service. You’ll have to work with multiple shipping companies, which requires a larger investment of your time and money.

The best-case scenario would be to find a [24/7 freight shipping marketplace](https://www.goship.com) that works with multiple carriers so that your business can meet all its needs.

### Simple interface

Whether you’re shipping for business or personal reasons, nobody wants to deal with complicated logistics.

One of the worst things about finding the right shipping company is haggling with multiple brokers. Online shipping companies with a solid online platform wouldn’t require you to get into lengthy back-and-forth negotiations.

The simplest shipping options offer instant quotations and guaranteed freight capacity.

### Reliability

Shipping with a reliable freight carrier means having your goods delivered safely and on time.

Reliable carriers help companies build a good reputation, critical to growing your business and meeting client expectations.

Shipping companies that offer low costs but fail to deliver freight on time will cost you more money due to customer complaints, spoiled or expired loads, and worse, a damaged reputation.

It’s critical to choose a shipping company that ensures transparent tracking and communication, as it keeps them accountable for your shipment’s status.

### Safety

Before working with a carrier, it’s important that you check a company’s safety ratings. This gives an idea of how trustworthy a company is and how well they’ll handle your freight.

Aside from keeping accident rates low, safe freight carriers guarantee that your supply chain is on track. 



## Ship with an Online Freight Marketplace Like GoShip

As you may have realized, analyzing and evaluating multiple shipping companies takes a lot of research, potentially damaging your profits and reputation if you fail to choose the right one. 

Most people don’t have the time, energy, and resources to do a trial and error with different carriers, which is why online freight marketplaces, like GoShip, have got the hard part over with: 

GoShip only works with the most reputable shipping companies that have passed their strict rubric of: affordable, accessible, and simple.

Getting a quote on the 24/7 self-service platform is easy too! All you have to do is enter your shipment details, and you’ll be connected to a dependable freight company that suits your needs.

**Sources**

<https://blog.bisontransport.com/8-tips-for-choosing-the-right-carrier>

<https://www.forbes.com/sites/square/2020/12/10/what-to-consider-when-choosing-a-shipping-company/?sh=233c99833219>


The choice of a suitable online shipping company can be determinant for the whole delivery process. 

5 Considerations in Choosing an Online Shipping Company

543,000 small businesses are founded each month in the United States. While opening a new business is exciting, getting started can be more challenging than expected. In fact, only [50% of small businesses](https://review42.com/resources/small-business-statistics) survive after 5+ years. Meanwhile, only a third will make it past the 10-year mark. 

To successfully manage a small business, be sure to calculate the actual costs of running a business. Too often, small businesses won’t consider the hidden costs of loans, licenses and legal paperwork, insurance, office and retail space, and employee benefits. This article highlights the top 5 hidden costs of running a small business. Find out how you can minimize these expenses to grow your business.  

## Importance of identifying hidden costs  

Starting a small business already has huge outright costs. Most small businesses spend $2,000 to $5,000 before they can take off. 

You’ve already allocated your budget to buy new inventory, hire staff, purchase equipment, set up your website, and/or rent out retail space. However, if you fail to take account of hidden costs, it will be harder for you to pay for necessary expenses. Identifying all hidden costs of running your business will help you calculate your profit margins and pricing. With the odds stacked against the survival of small businesses, it’s critical that you accurately identify the costs of running your business.  

## Loans  

You’ll need funding to launch your business. Most business owners will rely on bank loans to get their money.  

Lenders look at your personal or business credit scores before approving the loan. If your credit score is bad, you’ll get less than favorable repayment options.  

Aside from your outstanding capital, remember that you need to pay for the loan interest at some point. Especially if you cannot make payments on time, your compounded interest will hike up. This will make it even harder for you to launch your business.  

**To reduce loan fees, try these strategies:**  

* Save your own money before launching your business  
* Crowdfund from your friends, family, and supporters  
* Improve your personal and business credit scores to get favorable loan terms  
* Create a list of alternative lenders and compare their rates  
* Settle other high-interest loans and credit cards to reduce your outstanding interest   

### Licenses and legal paperwork  

Different states and cities will require different licenses and permit processes to begin business operations. The required fees will also vary depending on the type of business you plan to operate (partnership, nonprofit, corporation, or limited liability company).  

Depending on local regulations, you may also need additional licenses and fees to sell certain products (such as alcoholic beverages). You may also be required to get a permit for operating an oversized business vehicle. 

Your business may need a lawyer for many business licenses, contracts, and legal disclaimers. Another significant hidden cost is litigation. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, small businesses are often the target of lawsuits. This is because small businesses are more likely to settle than pursue legal action.   

Filing a business report annually or bi-annually will require additional fees. **To reduce the license and compliance costs, try these strategies:**  

* Invest in an online business formation service to minimize the costs of paying for individual professional services  
* Research the required permits and licenses for your state and type of business.  
* Check the requirements, deadlines, and frequency of filing business reports.  

### Insurance  

Consider the multiple types of business insurance you need to get. These include general liability, commercial property, commercial auto, professional liability, and unemployment. In some cases, you may get full business coverage for all of these insurance plans to save money. Always research the required insurance policies for running a business in your state.  

Home-based businesses need to get home-based insurance in addition to their homeowners’ insurance policy. If your small business has employees, you may need workers’ compensation insurance.  

**To reduce insurance hidden costs, try these strategies:**  

* Talk to an insurance agent that specializes in small businesses  
* Get an insurance bundle for businesses  

### Office / retail space  

Renting or purchasing properties for your office or retail space entails several hidden fees. You don’t just pay for the space itself- you are paying for a real estate agent, utility bills (electricity, water, internet access), office equipment, receptionist services, arranging meeting spaces, etc.  

Consider if your business *really* requires an office or retail space. A work-from-home setup or a temporary office space may be enough for your current business operations.  

**To reduce office/retail space hidden costs, try these strategies:**  

* Weigh the pros and cons of a work-from-home setup vs. an office setup  
* Ensure that your leased space covers the cost of utilities  
* Look for utility providers that offer competitive rates and energy-efficient audit programs to reduce costs  

### Employee benefits  

As the employer, you need to look into financing your employee’s salaries, payroll taxes, and benefits. While other employee benefits might seem optional, failing to get these benefits for your employees will result in high employee turnover:  

* Paid sick, vacation, and maternity leaves  
* Office perks and a comfortable work environment  
* Certifications, training programs, classes, and conferences  

High employee turnover means higher expenses for training and hiring. It will also result in productivity and knowledge loss.   

**To reduce employee costs, try these strategies:**  

* Provide regular perks that will boost employee retention  
* Negotiate with your insurance provider  

### Save more with GoShip.com  

**Shipping is another significant expense for small businesses.**   

It can be challenging to look for reliable and affordable carriers. Because of this, most small businesses settle with the high rates of parcel shipping companies. If you want to grow your business,[ GoShip.com](http://goship.com/) can help your small business cut costs with less-than-truckload and full-truckload shipping options.  

With the GoShip.com [online calculator](https://quotes.goship.com/booking/request-quote), all you have to do is enter your delivery details, and you’ll be connected with the best shipping companies in your area.

Hidden costs such as loans, licenses and paperwork, insurance, office and retail space, and employee benefits are important to budget for in order to own a successful business

5 Hidden Costs of Running a Small Business

retail business owners planning LTL shipment

The retail industry is a fast-growing sector that is constantly changing. With an increasing role of quick delivery and customer experience, retailers struggle to find a shipping solution that will match their needs. 

Finding a suitable option that would comply with cost-efficiency and shipping deadlines may be difficult. There are many things retailers have to focus on for their business. Maintaining a consistent logistics process all by yourself can be overwhelming, especially concerning the specifics of retail delivery. 

The volume of goods may not always be that high to cover the whole truck, a company probably doesn’t want to break a bank paying for empty space. 

Here is where [LTL shipping can be a proper solution](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/small-business-shipping). Less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping suggests combining multiple shipments from different companies in one truckload. Sharing the trailer space lets you save costs on transportation, reduces per-parcel cost, and offers many other comprehensive benefits for retail businesses.

## 5 key benefits of LTL shipping for retail

### Saving costs

Let’s face the truth, every small or mid-sized business company considers its budget when looking for a shipping solution. [LTL lets you move goods at a reasonable price](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping/) since you split the overall shipping cost with other shippers. You will not pay a single extra cent, because the price is calculated based on freight weight, dimensions, density, and destination.

### Shipment safety

Regardless of what you are shipping, it’s highly recommended to palletize or crate your freight. LTL freight shipping usually means from 1 to 7 large units (boxes, appliances, furniture, etc.) and to ensure safe handling and delivery, shipping companies advise shippers to properly pack their goods before pickup. The best way to protect cargo is palletizing or crating.

### Tracking and visibility

[Shipment tracking](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-benefits-of-shipment-tracking/) is crucial to retail logistics. LTL freight shipping services usually provide access to 24/7 shipment tracking and give complete visibility into load status. This feature lets businesses always be aware of the situation and focus on their work instead of worrying about freight.

### Additional services

Normally, shipping services that specialize in LTL freight shipping and oversized items shipping offer additional services, apart from transportation. Starting from instant LTL quote comparison from different carriers to freeze protection, you can get a one-stop-shop for all of your shipping needs with the help of LTL shipping services.

### Efficiency and consistency

[Using LTL](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-make-ltl-shipping-easy) for your shipping needs means you’ll fit delivery deadlines, and therefore improve your order fulfillment. The proper transportation strategy lets companies take their performance to an entire level and boost efficiency. Robust shipping ensures satisfied customers, better operations running, and saves the budget. If you are seeking a consistent shipping solution that will match your needs, LTL can be a perfect fit. Learn more about LTL shipping capabilities of GoShip.com or [get a free shipping quote](https://www.goship.com/) now!

LTL shipping is one of the best options for retail businesses who want to effectively ship their items and remain cost-efficient.

5 Key Benefits of LTL Shipping for Retail Businesses

For individual shippers and small businesses, freight shipping terms can be confusing. There is a huge variety of different words and abbreviations, and it's hard to memorize them all. If you are shipping freight, there are a few key terms you should know. Being aware of the correct meaning of these freight shipping terms will help you navigate the industry and avoid shipping mistakes. 

## Freight shipping terms you should know

### Bill of Lading

The bill of lading, or BOL, is the most important document in freight shipping. It is the main contract between the shipper and the carrier that outlines all the arrangements, terms and conditions, addresses, and other additional information about your freight shipment. It is crucial to correctly fill in your BOL in order to avoid extra charges or other issues. 

### LTL/FTL

There are two primary shipping modes in trucking: [less-than-truckload](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping/) (LTL) and [full truckload](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/truckload-freight-shipping/) (FTL). There are many differences between these two modes, but the main one is that in LTL shipping, you only use a part of a trailer’s space, while in full truckload your freight takes the entire capacity. LTL and FTL also have different pricing mechanisms because, in less-than-truckload shipping, the rate is mostly defined by the shipment’s destiny. 

### Freight class

If you are going to ship LTL, [freight class](https://www.goship.com/blog/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class/) should be an essential term in your glossary. A freight class is a specific code assigned to the shipment. There are 18 classes, from 50 to 500, created by the [NMFTA](http://www.nmfta.org/pages/nmfc) (National Motor Freight Trucking Association). This code is mostly defined by a shipment’s density, which means the less dense your freight is, the more it will cost to ship it.

### Delivery appointment

A delivery appointment is an [additional service](https://www.goship.com/blog/types-of-ltl-additional-services/) in LTL shipping, which means there is a specific time set up with the consignee to meet and deliver freight. Since it is considered an additional service, you will have to pay for it. 

### Freight insurance

[Freight insurance](https://www.goship.com/resources/freight-insurance) is an important document that is purchased to protect your goods and cover their value in case of shipment loss or damage. Freight insurance should not be confused with carrier liability, which is usually limited and will not refund the full cost of shipment in most cases.

Sometimes shipping terms and abbreviations can be confusing. Get familiar with the most common freight shipping terms with our short guide.

5 Key Freight Shipping Terms You Should Know

Freight shipping is overwhelming for any business owner. However, if you want to find the best shipping strategy that will work for you and your customers, it’s critical to understand how the process works.

While we don’t expect you to know everything under the sun about freight services, you should at least know the important terms that you will encounter during deliveries.

Adding these shipping terms to your vocabulary is a great way to start taking control of your business shipping strategy.

## Bill of Lading (BOL)

As a business owner, it’s important that you keep track of all documents, including the ones involved with shipping.

Bills of ladings are important for the shipment because they serve as:

- Receipts for shipped goods
- Evidence of a contract between shipper and carrier
- A document of title

The bill of lading serves as the receipt for every shipment –– it’s issued by the carrier upon picking up your package.

This contract between you (the shipper) and the carrier will contain details, including:

- The type of goods being shipped
- The owner of the goods
- Pick-up destination
- Final destination

Any mistake in the bill of lading can cause delays in shipment or even delays in payment for a shipment. Without a correct bill of lading, packages can get lost and it will be difficult to be compensated for the loss.

There are different types of bills of lading forms depending on the method that you transport your goods. The most common are:

- Straight bill of lading: for goods that are already paid for by the end-user
- “To order” bill of lading: negotiable documents for the transfer of ownership of goods outlined in the BOL to another party. This document is endorsed by the party listed as the ultimate consignee.
- Inland bill of lading: first transportation document for international cargo traveling by road or rail
- Ocean bill of lading: for shipment of goods overseas by sea that authorizes other parties to take possession of the package; can be a straight bill of lading or a “to order” bill of lading
- Air bill of lading: the equivalent of an ocean bill of lading by air freight; however, it does not involve negotiable documents
- Multimodal bill of lading: for packages shipped through a variety of shipping methods

## Less than Truckload

Less than truckload or LTL shipment is the transportation of freight that is more than 150 pounds but is less than the capacity of a trailer. In other words, it is used by shippers with more than a parcel shipment but less than a full truckload.

Various shippers will transport goods in one truck, and each will pay only for the space consumed by their goods. Because it’s such a cost-effective option, small businesses usually switch to LTL as an efficient and scalable shipping method over parcel shipping.

When calculating for less than truckload prices, the dimensions of the parcel, freight route, distance traveled, type of goods, and delivery time will be factored into the costing.

To give you an idea of how less than truckload shipments work, carriers will usually collect LTL shipments from different shippers into one container:

This truck will then move through a network of hubs and spokes starting from the collection terminal until the end destination. Basically, hoods are collected at spoke terminals and then to hub terminals where they are sorted and transported.

## Estimated Shipping Time

Estimated shipping time shouldn’t be confused with shipping time.

Just like the name suggests, an estimated shipping time or date is an educated guess on when the delivery will be shipped out. It may not always be accurate due to delays and order fulfillment cutoffs.

Estimated shipping times are given to customers to let them know when they should expect their order to be shipped and delivered.

The shipping time, on the other hand, is the exact date and time that an order is shipped from the seller or warehouse to the customer. If you offer same-day shipping or two-day shipping, then customers will expect their package to arrive at a date based on the actual shipping date.

## Guaranteed Capacity

For regular freight bookings, carriers will try to ensure that a shipment is loaded into a trailer before the estimated shipping date. Since space is not guaranteed, carriers will have to inform the shipper of any delays.

Forwarders will need to look for alternative space by offering premium space, space with a different carrier, or delayed space with the same carrier at an updated price.

Due to the high demand for freight services, carriers are offering “guaranteed capacity” to shippers who want to prepare for the anticipated peak season. Shippers who want to get a degree of certainty with shipping volume will need to pay a premium to lock in that capacity.

With guaranteed capacity, forwarders will pass the booking to the carrier once the booking is confirmed. The vessel and transit details will then be provided by the carrier.

## 24/7 Service

24/7 refers to services that are provided around the clock, from Monday through Sunday.

Some carriers might only accept bookings on weekends until 5 PM, but shipping services that offer 24/7 service will allow convenient quotation, booking, and confirmation any time of the day. This is important for small businesses that need to meet strict deadlines for shipment.

24/7 service is critical for shipping, especially for customer support. Should you need to inquire about the status of your delivery, the carrier will be able to address inquiries about the status of your order.

An [online freight marketplace](https://goship.com) will usually offer 24/7 services to small businesses.

## Shipping with GoShip.com

Understanding small business shipping can be difficult, especially if you’re just starting out. You can trust a convenient and reliable freight marketplace like GoShip.com to assist you through the process!

GoShip.com works with the top freight providers in the US, so you don’t have to break your back looking for affordable and secure shipping services for your business.

**\
All you have to do is enter your cargo details (load type, pick-up date, pick-up destination, and end destination) in our [online calculator](https://www.goship.com/), and we’ll connect you with the best freight companies for you.**

Adding some critical shipping terms to your vocabulary is a great way to start taking control of your business shipping strategy.

5 Shipping Terms Every Business Owner Should Know

When is the right time to change your LTL shipping provider? Building important long-lasting relationships with your LTL provider is an important part of maintaining a strong shipping network, but there are numerous signs that will clearly let you know when the time has come to switch. 

As a shipper, it’s critical for the handling of your freight and your reputation to know when you have a bad carrier and when to get rid of them. 

## 5 signs that it’s time to change LTL shipping providers

### Late Pickup and Delivery

A good carrier will alert the shipper about the delay, provide the shipper with the location of the truck and its latest ETA, and provide a valid reason for the delay. They will then provide a list of all the options that are available to the shipper in order to deliver the freight ASAP. A bad carrier, however, will do none of these things and will continue to operate consistently behind schedule with various excuses and limited communication. 

### **Freight Claims**

It goes without saying that a good carrier delivers loads on time, but more importantly, in one piece. Claims are messy, potentially dangerous, legally confusing, expensive, and bad carriers seem to always be involved in them. Of course, legitimate claims do happen, and most shippers have a specific and efficient process for dealing with them. 

However, bad carriers are typically involved with more avoidable claims than good carriers, and the reason is simple. Good carriers care about the integrity of the freight they deliver. Bad carriers only care about getting the freight off their truck and getting paid as soon as possible. 

### **Communication**

Another well-known fact about good carriers is that they alert their shippers about any delays and provide updates to shippers continuously. [Good LTL providers](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-choose-the-right-ltl-carriers) arrange alternate delivery options in order to recover freight that may have gotten stuck in transit. Bad carriers simply leave shippers in the dark, and they're left wondering about the status and integrity of their freight. 

### **Noncompetitive** **Rates**

If your provider isn’t communicating price increases clearly and regularly, you could be left having to pass some of these costs onto your customers. Remember, a sign of a great partner is one that shares the bad news as well as the good and helps you figure out a solution. 

### **Commitment to Capacity**

Finally, a good carrier will quote their service to a shipper and once it is agreed upon between them and the shipper, the carrier will 100% honor that rate for the agreed period of time, regardless of market shifts or loss of capacity. Bad LTL providers, will provide excuses as to why they need to charge the shipper more than what was previously quoted for their capacity when the market shifts. 

If you’re concerned about any of the issues above, it might be time to reconsider your LTL shipping provider. We here at **GoShip.com** want to help our customers, so reach out or get a quote today!

Know when it is time to change your LTL shipping provider without losing your transportation capacity or breaking the supply chain.

5 Signs It’s Time to Change Your LTL Shipping Provider

Building and maintaining your supply chain is key for running a successful business. After all, you need to get quality supplies in time to satisfy and win over your customers.

You also have to continuously evolve to stay competitive, or else other businesses may disrupt your supply chain. But how do you do this?

Today, we’re diving into 5 supply chain trends that you can use to stay ahead of the game, in 2021, 2022, and beyond.

## Shipping market outlook

The shipping market is currently struggling due to high demand and limited services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has shifted the shipping market so greatly that,  instead of swelling only during holidays and other select dates, the market has been swelling all year long.

This has contributed to severe capacity shortage, which has led to stricter regulations and higher shipping fees.

There has also been an increased demand for direct-to-consumer delivery, which has made shipping less efficient, as well as green logistics, which has established a steep learning curve for businesses.

![supply chain trends ](images/goship-blog-51-.png)

However, automation and digitalization are growing in popularity and look to become the future for the shipping market.

## 5 logistics and shipping trends in 2022 and beyond

There are 5 logistics and shipping trends that will be relevant in 2022 and beyond: capacity shortage, last mile shipping, green logistics, automation and technology, and digital shipping platforms.

### Capacity shortage

The first of our supply chain trends is capacity shortage, which is mainly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal blockage.

Capacity shortage means there isn’t enough space for transporting all the products and supplies that need to be shipped. It has led to a chronic shortage of stocks for businesses around the world and to high traffic at docks and terminals. 

For the foreseeable future, capacity shortage will continue to be a serious problem.

Large businesses have started to charter their own shipping (over air, land, and water) to maintain their supply chain. 

However, medium, small, and micro businesses have suffered majorly since chartering custom shipping is expensive and may lead to a severe decrease in profit. For these businesses, the best way to stay ahead of the game is to plan and order supplies as early as possible.

### Last mile shipping 

The most inefficient part of the shipping process is when it goes from a terminal and directly to either you or your customer.

This is called the last mile shipping problem, since it’s the most inefficient but also the most urgent part of shipping. The last mile can cost up to 53% of a shipment’s total shipping fee, and solving this concern is our second supply chain trend.

The best way to reduce the cost of last-mile shipping is through efficient planning and organization:

* Use a centralized, automated system to organize parcels.
* Set up micro-warehouses in locations that are delivery hubs.
* If you are the one sending the parcel, choose the most efficient delivery route, especially if you’re having several parcels delivered at once.
* Use tracking features to check on the delivery progress and maintain transparency with your customers.
* Task drivers with obtaining proof of delivery for transparency and less work on your part.
* Analyze your last-mile shipping data and determine where you can cut down on time and money.

### Green logistics

Our third supply chain trend is green logistics, a way of planning your logistics to be more environmentally friendly while still making a profit.

You can implement green logistics in various ways:

* Measure the carbon footprint and overall pollution of each logistics area in your business.
* Optimize your supplies and designs accordingly so that they are more eco-friendly.
* Choose suppliers based on their ability to meet environmental regulations.
* Plan shipping so your incoming and outgoing deliveries use less fossil fuel.
* Implement eco-friendly practices and designs in your office and warehouse/s.
* Increase the efficiency of in-house shipment management to avoid damage.
* Encourage customers to engage and do their part by reusing or recycling your packaging.

Green logistics will save you money in the long run by pushing you to be even more efficient. It will also grow your consumer base by attracting customers who factor in a company’s dedication to sustainability.

### Automation and technology

Our fourth supply chain trend is automation, which can be used to make your supply chain more efficient and streamlined. It includes technologies like robotization, improved machine learning, digital processing, and artificial intelligence.

You can use automation in a variety of ways:

* Create a digital platform that organizes and updates information for your employees and customers.
* Automate processes that are needed to meet business regulations and manage risks.
* Utilize robotization for menial tasks.
* Use automated delivery processes to make transportation more efficient.

Automation does currently have limitations due to the availability of the technologies, and more physical automation like robotization can have a steep investment cost.

However, most software automation is free or affordable, and can save you time and money in the long run.

Automation is also going to develop even more in the coming years, and you may soon see automated trucking and augmented reality as everyday tools.

### Digital shipping platforms

Our fifth supply chain trend is digital shipping platforms, which have grown in popularity over the last few years. 

Digital shipping platforms allow users to order and manage shipments all in one site. 

By using a digital shipping platform, you can increase the efficiency and transparency of your shipments. This benefits both you and your customers.

Some digital shipping platforms also let you order from different freight carriers, which helps you access shipment services for land, air, and ocean.

## The easiest way to find the best freight carriers

With all of these supply chain trends in mind, you need good freight carriers that can help you get ahead of the curve.

The easiest way is to [use a freight shipping marketplace like GoShip](https://www.goship.com/), which lets you compare the prices, services, and quality of multiple domestic freight carriers.

Hurry over to [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) and get your delivery quotes now!

Staying competitive in logistics is not an easy task. Check out the top 5 supply chain trends to keep your business updated at all times.

Top 5 Supply Chain Trends for Competitive Shipping

If you’re new to less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping, then there is a good chance that all of the terminology and shipping processes that it comes with are a little confusing. At GoShip.com, we do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible for you. We can offer you a few best practices to use to make LTL freight shipping even easier to understand. Here are some helpful tips that will allow your shipping process to be cool, calm and collected. **1\. Get freight shipping quotes from the right companies** LTL carriers often specialize in certain types of products, geographic areas, and rush orders. Your ideal candidate for expedited freight is an LTL carrier that matches with your job in all three criteria (product, area, expedited service). GoShip.com offers many shipping services to fit your needs, and you can check them out [here](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/). **2\. Communicate with your LTL shipper** If you communicate thoroughly with your LTL shipper on a regular basis, you’ll reduce the possibility of a late delivery as well as other issues that could increase the cost of the job. When getting a quote, tell the shipper as many details as possible. For example, is the item being delivered to a company with an organized receiving dock, or to the tenth floor of an apartment building with no elevator? Also, when a delivery is in progress, check in with the carrier regularly or use any available services to monitor the shipping status to avoid problems before they happen. **3\. Complete all paperwork carefully** You’d be surprised how many deliveries are botched because the shipper wrote the incorrect address on the bill of lading. Details are crucial in freight shipping, especially with expedited freight shipping. Go over your paperwork carefully to make sure all the information is correct and complete. **4\. Be up to date on shipping trends** Having knowledge about current shipping trends, how the industry operates and which carriers can best handle your business enables you to get the best truck for the best price. On the other hand, not understanding the current market can cause you to leave money on the table or set a budget that's unrealistic. **5\. Be cost-efficient** One easy way to minimize costs is to reduce the time it takes to load and unload the freight. Consistently building shipments that are easy to load and unload increases productivity and efficiency and lowers costs, both in time and in the potential for product damage. Some ways that you can optimize the loading and unloading process include more efficient dock scheduling or the use of load planning software. **Let us make shipping easy for you** Whether you’re a small business or an individual needing to ship one item, GoShip.com can take the stress out of your shipping experience. Using our many longstanding relationships with key LTL carriers throughout North America, GoShip.com can arrange for whichever service you need. If you have a shipment that the traditional shipping companies can’t handle, contact us today for a [Free Quote](https://www.goship.com/) on our website and find out how we can help you.


You can make your freight shipping process fast and efficient by following several consequent steps.

5 Tips for a Fast & Efficient Freight Shipping Process

In a perfect world, everything we send in the mail will arrive at its destination in perfect condition, however, accidents can happen when the right precautions aren’t taken. Fragile and valuable items need extra care and attention when it comes to shipping. We have put together 5 essential tips to make sure there are no hiccups when shipping your fragile items!

## How to ship fragile items?

### **Order Packaging in the Right Size**

You can have all the care in the world when packing fragile items, but that may not matter if they’re not placed in a proper box for the move. Ideally, you’ll want to choose boxes that are large enough to fit some protective wrapping around your product, but not so large that the wrapped product will bounce around the inside of the box as it’s being handled.

### **Go with a Box Made of High-Quality Materials**

Cheap materials don’t just look and feel cheap- they also won’t protect your products in transit. Thinner, flimsy boxes are indeed cheaper upfront, but they will result in more customer returns and product replacements due to damaged goods. When you are planning to pack your fragile item for delivery, make sure that you pick a box that is sturdy but still lightweight. Having a strongbox will take the brunt of the force when your parcel is moving from point A to point B. Also, lightweight materials will keep costs down, because weight can make the price go up drastically in the shipping process.

### **Protect Items from the Elements**

When you think about threats to your fragile products, you probably picture your boxes being thrown around, dropped or mishandled in some way. Rough handling isn’t the only way that your fragile items can get damaged in the shipping process. Rain, puddles and many other elements can also threaten a shipments safe delivery. Plastic bags or shrink-wrap can be great in those circumstances to prevent any moisture or other potentially harmful elements from getting to your products and ruining them.

### **Label Your Package**

By stating that your package is fragile, the people who are handling your package are more likely to handle it with care. Write the word ‘fragile’ in big, bold letters on all sides and consider drawing arrows so that couriers know which way up an item needs to be carried.

### **Consider Insurance**

Although it may cost a little more on top of sending the parcel, it is always best to add insurance where you can. If mistakes are made and your package ends up getting damaged, insurance will be cheaper than reimbursing and losing customers in the long run. Preparing fragile items for transit can quickly turn stressful because fragile and valuable items need extra care and attention when it comes to shipping. 

Here at GoShip.com, we want to make the fragile shipping process as easy for you as possible, so today we have put together an infographic with 5 essential tips to help make sure that there are no broken pieces when shipping your fragile items from point A to point B!

Check out the top 5 tips on how to pack and ship your fragile items and eliminate the risks of possible damage.

How to Pack & Ship Fragile Items Properly: Top 5 Tips

Due to its high availability, affordable rates, and versatile operations, many companies and businesses rely on dry van shipping for local and nationwide freight transportation.

However, dry van freight shipping rates vary wildly throughout the year. Failure to learn about dry van shipping rate trends can cause significant damage to potential earnings. With this in mind, businesses need to keep track of the dry van shipping market and know the specific factors that can cause massive rate fluctuations.

You can generate major savings in your logistics operations by planning around the factors that influence dry van rates. Learn about the 6 main factors that influence the dry van rates.

## 1.  Delivery Location and Distance

Shipping to a farther location will drive up dry van rates, but mileage isn’t the only factor determining the delivery distance. Dry van rates are highly dependent on pick-up and delivery location. The trucking lane is the specific route a driver takes from the origin point to destination point of your shipment. The lane used to move your shipment can affect your rates.

In general, dry van rates between major cities with established shipping lanes are cheaper than shipments to and from rural areas. Extra shipping charges are also applied when delivering to non-commercial locations and limited-access locations like military bases.

## 2.  Supply and Demand

Supply in the logistics industry refers to the number of trucks available to make a delivery. The shortage of drivers or trailers may be temporary, in which case you should prepare by establishing a contracted rate with your shipping partners. However, if low capacity is industry-wide, there is not much to be done as everyone will be expected to pay more.

When it comes to demand, it’s mostly affected by the produce season, which starts in spring and lasts until early summer. The food industry will be scrambling to make deliveries during this time, so make sure to plan around this season. Otherwise, you should get a contracted rate with your provider. Another time period that can effect demand is peak shipping season. This season runs from mid-August to October fueled by back-to-school and holiday shipping demands.

## 3.  Freight Class

Freight that requires special handling or special delivery instructions is more complex and time-consuming to handle. Accessorial charges beyond basic shipping freight dock to dock can involve special equipment like forklifts, liftgates, or time-window deliveries.

The type of freight is classified according to [18 different freight classes](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-freight-class/), ranging from Class 50 to Class 500. Freight class is determined by [National Motor Freight Classification](http://www.nmfta.org/pages/nmfc) (NMFC) codes, and it’s based on:

- Storability
- Handling
- Density
- Liability

The higher the freight class, the more expensive your freight rates will be.

## 4.  Fuel Costs

Calculating fuel costs can be complicated as you’ll need to factor in surcharges and taxes, which vary by region and state. Fuel costs and the associated fees and taxes will cause significant changes in dry van rates especially if your freight is crossing state lines.

## 5.  Unexpected Events or Disasters

Unique and unforeseen events (such as natural disasters) that cause factories, warehouses, and roads to close can cause dry van rates to spike. Unfortunately, not much can be done during these situations since it’s physically impossible for most trucks to make pick-ups and deliveries during this period.

## 6.  Choosing the Right Shipping Carrier

Multiple factors affect dry van rates, but the good news is it’s possible to avoid most of them by careful planning and risk mitigation. You’ll need to build an effective strategy based on the right tools, experience, and flexibility.

While it’s possible to get regular updates on the US freight market conditions and regulations [through freight analytics](https://www.dat.com/industry-trends/trendlines/van/national-rates), choosing the right carrier can guarantee that you get the best rates in your area. With a freight shipping marketplace, it’s possible to get an overview of the best domestic freight carriers.

[GoShip.com](https://goship.com) features a self-service online quote calculator that simplifies the process of getting freight quotes, booking, and customer support.


The dry van shipping rates vary throughout the year. Failure to learn about dry van rate features can significantly damage potential earnings.

6 Key Factors That Influence Dry Van Rates

Freight shipping is one of the biggest contributors to pollution today, but it doesn’t have to be that way. New studies on the effects of climate change and green shipping over the last decade have encouraged establishments to take measures for reducing the carbon footprint in all industries, including the shipping industry. There are many steps that both truck drivers and shippers alike can take in order to contribute to this up and coming 'green movement' and reduce the huge carbon footprint that the shipping industry is notable for being a part of. Today at [**GoShip.com**](https://goship.com) we will be covering the steps that can be taken to head off on the road to greener shipping!   **Steps that truck drivers can take:**

- Speed Reduction – If drivers reduce their speed by  just a mere 5 mph, they can significantly lower their truck’s harmful emissions. Driving at a slower speed also significantly reduces the risk for accidents, as well as lowers fuel consumption.
- Driving with attention to fuel efficiency– By fluctuating speeds gradually and taking their time when starting and stopping their trucks, drivers can lower fuel consumption by 5 to 10%.
- Reconsidering cabin comfort – Drivers who sleep in their cabins should use truck stop electrification when possible for heating and cooling, rather than relying on the diesel from their trucks to keep them comfortable.

**Steps that shippers can take:**

- Rearranging logistics and invoicing – Sometimes, outsourcing certain services is a better option than paying numerous employees to get the job done. It also helps the shipper save resources, avoid paperwork, work more efficiently, and land more jobs.
- Refining fuel technology – Alternative fuels, hybrid technology, better route planning, and less aggressive driving practices are just a few solutions to lower fuel consumption.
- Equipment updates– Aerodynamic panels, wide base tires, low viscosity lubricants, exhaust system upgrades, eco flaps, APUs (auxiliary power units), speed limitations, liquid natural gas powering or electric forklifts are just a handful of changes shipping companies can implement in order to lower operating costs and their trucks’ impact on the environment.

There is a chance that these changes may impact shipping rates as shippers offset high costs by raising prices. At **[GoShip.com](https://goship.com)**, we can help you find and book LTL shipments directly with no added costs. Request a quote now!


Shippers can considerably reduce the pollution level and make their supply chain greener by following a few steps.

How to Make Your Supply Chain and Logistics Greener

Running a small business can be tricky, especially when you have to handle logistics on your own. So, today, we’re covering the best practices for small business logistics!

Join us as we dive into how you can optimize the logistics of your small business.

## What is small business logistics?

Logistics is the process of sourcing, transporting, storing, and delivering the supplies and products for your business.

For large businesses, it is stressful to balance good logistics with profit. 

This is exaggerated even more for small business logistics, since small businesses don’t have the bulk purchases or the influence to get cheaper services. 

Small businesses also often don’t have the staff to manage every part of the process, which can lead to overworking when everything is done in-house.

To cope, small businesses have to be more careful with planning and executing their logistics.

Some small businesses also outsource to third-party logistics companies (3PLs), or partner with companies that specialize in certain parts of the logistics process, like shipping.

## How to optimize small business logistics 

There are 7 ways to optimize small business logistics: know your company, plan every single aspect, make manufacturing more efficient, manage long-term finances, understand your customers, partner and outsource to other businesses, and utilize data analytics.

![small business logistics ](images/goship-blog-57-.png)

### Know your company

The first way to optimize small business logistics is to know your company so that you can plan accordingly. This is the foundation of all other strategies, so be thorough and take your time.

Knowing your company consists of the following:

* Pinning down your target market.
* Planning a business strategy to attract your target market.
* Finding out how important logistics is to your business strategy (e.g. will you rely on fast shipping, or on affordability).
* Learning what qualities are important in your logistics suppliers.
* Investing in logistics accordingly.

By doing the prepwork, you’ll be able to address your needs more accurately, and you’ll save time and money in the long run.

### Plan every single aspect

The second way to optimize small business logistics is to plan every single aspect so that your operations go as smoothly as possible.

Here are some factors that you’ll need to plan for:

* Inventory: eliminate all unnecessary inventory, and plot out what inventory you’ll need and by when.
* Suppliers: choose suppliers based on service, cost, efficiency, product quality, and other important factors like sustainability.
* Receiving Shipments: plan to ship so that you can group orders and pay less.
* Inventory Management: organize your inventory with automated software to prevent disappointing customers
* Delivering Orders: maximize shipments for each month and allow customers to track their orders online.

By planning ahead and setting up systems, software, and infrastructure, you can avoid disaster - especially during the holiday season.

### Make manufacturing more efficient

If your company manufactures its own line of products, you can save yourself money and time by making manufacturing more efficient, which is the third way to optimize small business logistics.

This can be done in 2 main ways, depending on if you do in-house manufacturing or if you outsource manufacturing.

If you do in-house manufacturing, you can make it more efficient by:

* Analyzing your current setup’s strengths and weaknesses.
* Determining what can be easily automated.
* Solving menial, manual tasks with software, robotization, and other automation technology.

If you outsource manufacturing, you can make it more efficient by:

* Noting down what you ideally need and want from a manufacturer.
* Analyzing your current manufacturer’s strengths and weaknesses.
* Researching and comparing them to other manufacturers.
* Deciding on the most efficient manufacturer in terms of money, time, and product quality.

### Manage long-term finances

The fourth way to optimize small business logistics is to manage long-term finances. This is key because, by investing in the correct areas and saving on others, you will be able to sustain and grow your business for years to come.

Here are a few ways to manage your long-term finances:

* Organize your expenses into different categories.
* Analyze how much you spend on each category (purchase price, shipping fees, etc.).
* Research on potential suppliers.
* Negotiate with suppliers and ask for at least 2-3 quotes so you can get the best deals.
* Utilize finance software to easily organize your expenditures, as well as send and receive payments. 
* Manage assets like office equipment, and make sure you save up for future replacements.

### Understand your customers

The fifth way to optimize small business logistics is to understand your customers. 

You may not have as much influence as a large corporation, but you do have a closer relationship with your customers. You can use this knowledge to develop an edge over larger businesses.

Understanding your customers can take the form of:

* Making several options available for products, as well as customization where feasible.
* Providing multiple delivery methods so that customers can find the one that works for their location, schedule, and budget.
* Updating your customers constantly about their order, its delivery, and any issues that are encountered.
* Adjusting your inventory, systems, or service according to feedback from your customers.

### Partner with or outsource to other businesses

The sixth way to optimize small business logistics is to partner with or outsource to other businesses.

By doing so, you avoid having to hire more staff, and you benefit from the expertise and resources of businesses that specialize in logistics. 

Most companies prefer to outsource to other businesses, which:

* Shortens lead time.
* Reduces the time you have to spend on overseeing logistics processes.
* Decreases expenses since a third-party logistics company (3PL) can ship more efficiently and thus more affordably.
* Increases customer satisfaction since a good 3PL gets orders to customers quickly.

Other companies prefer to partner with other businesses, which has the same benefits as hiring a 3PL, but it also ensures that you’ll always have a trusted logistics provider who is invested in the success of your business. 

However, partnerships can take much longer to finalize, and you may struggle with logistics in the meantime.

### Utilize data analytics

The seventh way to optimize small business logistics is to utilize data analytics. Data analytics can provide insight into how you are currently using your resources, and how you can improve your setup.

The best way to harness your company's data is to use automated software or artificial intelligence. You could buy this software, or you could hire a company that specializes in data analytics.

With enough data, artificial intelligence should be able to produce forecasts so that you can improve your business before any disasters happen.

## Where can you find good logistics providers?

If you are looking for good logistics providers to transport your supplies and products, the easiest way to find them is by [using a freight shipping marketplace like GoShip](https://goship.com)!

By allowing you to compare multiple freight carriers’ services, prices, and details all on one site, you’ll be able to find the carrier that is right for you in no time.

[Click here to go to GoShip](https://goship.com) and get your free quotes!


Supply chain management can be really difficult for small business owners. Learn more about the best logistics practices to arrange your shipping correctly. 

7 Best Logistics Practices for Small Business Owners

LTL shipping is an [inexpensive way to move goods](https://www.thebalancesmb.com/less-than-truckload-ltl-2221319), and it can be an excellent logistics solution for companies that are looking to save money on their shipments. It is important to carefully plan out all of the components of transportation to avoid common shipping mistakes.

## Here are the most frequent shipping mistakes companies make when shipping using LTL:

## **Avoiding insurance**

One of the major shipping mistakes companies can often make is trying to save money on insurance, assuming that they probably won’t be the one who will face the problem. The thing is, no matter how good the shipping service is, unpredictable situations can always happen. Dropping the insurance can lead to spending much more than you would pay for the insurance.

## **Inaccurate description of the shipment**

The weight and dimensions of the freight define the price of the shipment. Declaring improper or inaccurate measures may lead to an overestimated price that could cause confusion. Make sure all the measurements and numbers are correct to avoid any misconduct and unwanted costs.

## **Improper packaging**

It is the shipper’s responsibility to ensure that the package will make it from point A to point B without any damages. Whether it is a fragile item or large load, every kind of freight needs proper packaging. Make sure to palletize your shipment or provide enough protection for your items while they are in transit.

## **Assuming the shipping date is guaranteed**

Many shippers may think that the delivery date is an imminent deadline and don’t leave room for possible delays. There are many unforeseen factors that can impact your shipment’s delivery time, such as accidents, weather conditions, and other external circumstances. Before arranging the shipment, make sure to leave some extra time for any possible delays.

## **Skipping the research of shipping services**

If shippers are in a hurry and need to get their shipment out as soon as possible, many pick the first available [LTL service](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping/) without any background analysis of the service. Selecting a wrong or unreliable provider can waste your money and cause stress, so research remains a crucial part of a successful deal. Keep in mind that the lowest price is not always the best one. 

Reading reviews and getting more insights about the company would help you figure out if the service matches your needs. Preparation and good, organized management can help ensure success and save companies costs on their shipments. It is important to make sure that you have picked the best LTL shipping provider, accurately fill in all the documents, provided the correct data, and supplied the protection of your shipment. 

These easy and efficient practices would not only save you money but will keep you calm and confident about the shipping process as a whole.

Thorough planning can help you avoid the most common mistakes shippers make in terms of LTL freight shipping operations.

7 Most Common LTL Freight Shipping Mistakes to Avoid

When the bulk of your business funds go to packaging and deliveries, it might be time to reconsider reducing shipping costs to improve your profit margin. Calculating the costs of shipping expenses can be overwhelming. Businesses need to consider:

- Shipping zones
- Weight and dimensions
- Delivery insurance
- Delivery speed
- Tracking

Fortunately, we’ve got some tips for eCommerce and small business owners to reduce shipping expenses and improve profit!

## Tip 1: Choose Affordable or Free Packaging

Investing in packaging materials to keep fragile products safe is necessary, but expenses can quickly add up. While getting branded packaging is an excellent business and marketing tactic, it shouldn’t compromise your profit margin. Consider choosing generic or free packaging and shipping supplies from carriers. Aside from saving money spent on packaging, you also avoid up to 20% on additional dimensional fees with this tip.

## Tip 2: Check Your Third-Party Insurance

Most major carriers overcharge customers for shipping insurance costs. Especially if you’re shipping valuable products, shipping can quickly become pricey. Consider third-party freight shipping insurance companies that offer [full freight insurance](https://www.goship.com/resources/freight-insurance/) for a fraction of the cost.

## Tip 3: Keep Track of Dimensional Weight

Most carriers consider dimensional weight when shipping packages. This means that you need to be extra mindful when shipping large yet light items. If your oversized packages weigh less than their dimensional weight, consider looking for a carrier that doesn’t compute for dimensional weight.

## Tip 4: Account for All Shipping Expenses

When calculating shipping costs, make sure that you factor in all special charges, including weekend delivery fees, signature fees, fuel surcharges, among others. While offering your customers affordable rates can be tempting, you might not notice that you’re taking the blow with this pricing structure.

## Tip 5: Increase Product Prices

Selling your products at a higher price will give you leeway to offer more affordable shipping rates. If you can afford it, you can even consider offering free shipping. While this method seems counterproductive, research shows that customers find free shipping more appealing than purchase discounts. The simplicity of free shipping is highly attractive to customers.

## Tip 6: Consider Multiple Carriers

By negotiating with different carriers, you’ll be able to keep up with the best services and rates, even if carriers don’t offer those packages upfront. By going with multiple carriers, you will eventually find the best carriers for every type of shipment type. Especially if you’re planning to expand your business, you should start looking into less-than-truckload and full-truckload carriers for your delivery options.

## Tip 7: Get Online Freight Quotes

Finding affordable and reputable shipping carriers is arguably the most challenging aspect of reducing shipping costs. Thanks to online freight shipping marketplaces like **[GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/)**, it’s possible to find the best deals from the major local freight companies in your area.

[GoShip.com](https://goship.com) is a self-service platform that’s designed to offer free online quoting, easy booking, and customer support for your shipping needs. Find the best shipping rates in your area without the complicated process of haggling with a freight broker.


There are several working ways to effectively reduce your freight shipping costs and help you manage your supply chain budgeting better.

7 Working Ways to Reduce Freight Shipping Costs

## What is a wooden pallet?

[The pallet](https://www.plslogistics.com/blog/10-tips-for-palletizing/) is a flat structure used for transporting freight. Wooden pallets are simply platforms of a standard pallet size that are the most [common type of packaging](https://www.goship.com/blog/package-vs-pallet-shipping/) in freight shipping. There are different types of pallets, but they are mostly made of either wood or plastic. The freight is usually secured or tied to the pallet and then stacked into the trailer. 

Pallets are mostly used to attach and secure already packaged freight. This way, the carrier can load a full trailer and avoid moving or damaging any cargo on the truck. Pallets are preferred for most shipments, no matter if this is a full truckload or [less than truckload](https://www.goship.com/posts/palletizing-ltl-freight-everything-you-need-to-know) shipping mode. If you are not planning to use [shipping pallets](https://www.goship.com/posts/package-vs-pallet-shipping), make sure to discuss packaging requirements with the shipping company or a carrier. [](https://www.goship.com/)

## Standard pallet size & dimensions

The standard pallet size is typically considered to be 48" x 40". These pallets are often referred to as GMA (The Grocery Manufacturers Association) pallets, as they are most commonly used for the consumer packaged goods industry. Nearly one-third of pallets produced in the U.S. each year are GMA pallets. Here are the three most popular standard pallet dimensions:

* 48″ X 40″
* 42″ X 42″
* 48″ X 48″

## How much does a pallet weigh?

The weight of an average 48” x 40” wooden pallet will range somewhere between 33 lbs and 48 lbs. Most often, the average pallet will weigh nearly 30 lbs, but this number can reach up to 70 lbs, depending on many factors like the material, moisture level, etc. [](https://www.goship.com/)

## Types of pallets

There are many different types of pallets in terms of size, materials, and construction. Speaking of material, pallets are most often made of wood and plastic but can also be made of pressed wood, metal, etc. Wooden pallets can be constructed in many different ways, but there are two main types of pallets: stringer pallets and block pallets.

### 1. Stringer pallets

Stringer pallets are named this way because they have 3 long pieces of wood (called ‘stringers’) to support two sides of wooden boards. Stringer pallets can be picked up by a forklift in two different ways, so these pallets are usually considered to be 2-way pallets.

### 2. Block pallets

In a similar way, the pieces of wood in block pallets are supported by blocks of wood. They are usually used for heavier shipments. Unlike stringer pallets, block pallets can be loaded from any of their four sides. They are commonly known as 4-way pallets.

## How to palletize freight?

It’s better to put the heaviest items on the bottom, and the lightest ones on the top. Put layers of cardboard or thick paper between every second or third pack. This will help reduce pressure on the bottom package and will help ensure it is not damaged in transit. If you use boxes, cartons, or bags, make sure you properly seal them. Protect the corners and stack the boxes evenly as possible. Don't leave empty space between the cartons to avoid shifts on the pallet. Padding your packages is an absolute necessity for secure transportation. 

Some carriers will refuse to transport loose boxes with no internal protection, so make sure to stuff cartons with soft material, especially when items are fragile. Label each pack with instructions for handling, like “fragile,” “do not turn upside down,” etc. 

This will help carriers to move their freight carefully. Don’t forget to use strapping or metal taping to make packages hold together. Wrap your packages and wrap them around the pallet to strengthen the protection. [](https://www.goship.com/)

Palletizing is one of the best packaging methods for any shipment type. Pallets do not only fixate and secure your cargo, but also keep the trailer space well-organized. 

A Guide to Different Types of Shipping Pallets

Whether you are planning to move-out or ship appliances to customers, transporting household items can be challenging. The bulky size and complex structure makes shipping fridges, washing machines and ovens slightly different from furniture and other home items. If you plan to ship appliances, [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) provides the LTL solution that will make transportation smooth and easy for you. When dealing with customers or personal use, it is important to make sure the items are shipped in the same condition they were in before transit. Here are some useful tips to help prepare you before getting a quote:

*   Make sure all the appliances are clean before you ship them. It is essential to empty and clean up all household machinery and items before moving.
*   Refrigerators must be defrosted at least 24 hours ahead of time before you ship them.
*   All items that have the water connection, like dishwashers, must be disconnected and double-checked before shipping.
*   All shelves, stray items, and any removable parts must be removed and packed separately. As for ovens, don’t forget to remove all the racks, knobs and grills and assure they’re packed separately.
*   Appliances with doors should be taped to assure the door doesn’t open while moving.
*   Use the proper packing materials to protect sensitive surfaces, such as stainless steel. Make sure to provide proper taping, foam and other materials on the appliances as well for added protection.
*   Label every box and put the label protection for every appliance with a shipping destination. Boxes with details and contents should be labeled as well.
*   If you have any questions about or during the shipping process, reach out to your shipping provider and ask them anything that you need. This will help you avoid confusion and identify if the service matches your needs.

At the end of the day, even shipping such troublesome items like appliances may be a pleasant experience when you choose the right service. [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) is specialized in shipping of such items and will move your goods safely. [Get your free quote](https://www.goship.com/) and read more about our shipping services [here](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/).


Shipping home appliances is complex and sometimes challenging, but several working tips can help you organize the proper delivery process.

8 Tips for Appliance Shipping

Buying and [selling items](https://www.goship.com/blog/buying-oversized-items-online/) on online marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist is becoming more and more popular. It is a quick and convenient way to sell unwanted items or to buy them at a lower price. However, not all of the items from Craigslist or eBay can fit into a cardboard box. Sometimes there are really large and bulky objects. It may be confusing to figure out how to ship items in a cheap and easy way. It is important to know the best ways for Craigslist shipping.

**How to ship large items?**
----------------------------

Large items are often too large for regular parcel shipping companies, and the process of shipping those items may become difficult. Although shipping large items may seem like a burdensome procedure, it’s not that difficult. There are special shipping services that transport freight, and your oversized shipment may be just the right size for them. Most larger than parcel shipments are moved with less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping services. This means your items don’t require the full trailer space and will go with other shipments through a similar destination. [LTL shipping](https://www.goship.com/blog/ltl-freight-shipping-guide/) lets you save costs on transportation and move items safely.

**How to arrange a Craigslist shipping?**
-----------------------------------------

Thanks to advanced technology, you don’t have to go through stressful operations to manage your shipment. There are online shipping services like GoShip.com where you can fill in the basic information about your item and choose the transportation option online. Larger shipments may require more complex processes, but with services like GoShip.com, booking a shipment goes as smooth as possible. We pair you with carriers that best fit your budget and schedule. With GoShip.com, everything is completed online and you can easily [track](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-benefits-of-shipment-tracking/) your shipment’s every move.

**What do I have to take care of?**
-----------------------------------

Choosing a convenient LTL shipping service will take the hassle out of the shipping process, but there are still some important things you should take care of. First and foremost, you need to provide accurate and complete information about your items to get the most relevant price and avoid confusion throughout the shipping process. If you are a seller, it is essential to provide proper packing for your freight. Depending on the shipment’s type and sizes, it may need palletizing, crating or other types of protection. Some services offer a packing option, but it’s better to specify it with a shipping company at the very start. In case you’re a buyer, you have to discuss delivery terms with a seller and figure out whether the shipment will be unloaded at the distribution center or if you need to set up a delivery appointment. After all, Craigslist shipping is easier than ever with the latest services and technology. You can communicate online, arrange delivery in just a few clicks, and wait for the shipment’s arrival or delivery. If you need to ship large items, check out our [free quote](https://www.goship.com/) option and see the list of available carriers right now!


Online marketplaces like Craigslist can be really beneficial for your business. Learn how to develop your supply chain in terms of Craigslist shipping.

All About Craigslist Shipping

## Everything You Need to Know About Shipping Food Cross Country

Shipping food and perishables across the country can be challenging.

Especially during the produce season, businesses and farms ship vegetables, fruits, oats, grains, meat, and other foods in high volume.

However, food shipments entail additional challenges concerning packaging and the delivery process itself. With that, shippers need to factor in weather conditions, food temperature requirements, and distance. These checks help ensure that goods arrive fresh and free from contamination, spoilage, and staleness.

To help you out, we prepared a short yet comprehensive guide on how to [ship food domestically](https://www.goship.com/food-beverage).

## Factors that Affect Food Shipping Quote

Before we get into the details of how to ship food, let’s discuss the main factors carriers take into account when calculating food shipments.

### Amount of goods

Freight carriers will consider how much space your food shipment is occupying in a trailer. Aside from volume, they will also take into account freight weight to get shipping rates.

### Type of food

Shipping non-perishables (dry goods) is generally cheaper than shipping perishables and frozen goods. This is because of the added logistics and complications of transporting large volumes of food that can quickly become spoiled or contaminated.

Foods that need to be kept at specific temperatures are even more expensive to ship as they may require refrigerated trucks with reliable temperature-controlled capabilities.

### Delivery window

Time-sensitive shipments, like produce and meat, have tight delivery windows that rely on the speed and stability of carriers to ensure that goods arrive on time without spoilage.

### Distance

Shipping food cross country is more expensive than shipping locally because crossing state borders usually involves complicated logistics and multiple truck transitions.

## What type of trailer is best for shipping food?

The best type of trailer for shipping foods will depend on the type of food you’re shipping: that is, either perishables or non-perishables.

Dry goods, canned products, and other non-perishables are shipped via [dry van trailers](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-dry-van-shipping). Dry vans are available as full truckload or less than truckload services, both affordable and secure ways to ship freight. 

[Refrigerated trucking](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-refrigerated-shipping-and-how-does-it-work) is generally required for shipping perishable goods –– allowing carriers to control temperature and avoid spoilage.

## What packaging is used for shipping food?

Packaging will again depend on the type of food you’re shipping.

Dry goods are safe when shipped in boxes or crates, but perishables will require insulation and proper labeling to ensure they’re kept at the right temperature and humidity.

### Non-Perishable Dried Foods

Non-perishables like canned products, nuts, hard candies, among others, don’t need insulation and coolants. However, it’s still best to keep dry goods from extreme temperatures, as this can still affect the integrity of the food.

They are best shipped in a cardboard box lined with packing peanuts or bubble wrap to ensure that products stay in place and don’t get dented or crumbled.

### Perishable Fresh/Refrigerated Foods

Since fresh and refrigerated food deteriorates quickly in extreme temperatures, it must be kept at the right temperature using gel coolants, ice packs, and insulation.

Styrofoam boxes and sheets are versatile as these come in varying thicknesses, depending on your needs and budget. 

[Insulated liner](https://ipcpack.com/products/insulated-box-liners/)s are securely wrapped around perishables to protect them from damage and heat. Insulated pads or plastic (for liquids) can also be placed in the box to keep food fresh.

Afterward, the styrofoam box should be secured in a corrugated box filled with packing peanuts. Remember to seal with tape along all the seams and to label with the refrigeration requirements.

### Perishable Frozen Foods

Shipping frozen food requires dry ice to ensure freshness, but it should be handled with extra caution. Carriers will have guidelines in place for shipping with dry ice.

Place the frozen food inside a styrofoam box lined with plastic. Instead of using ice packs, place dry ice inside the box. Frozen food should be vacuum-sealed or sealed tightly in a plastic bag as it shouldn’t come in contact with dry ice. 

Line another cardboard box with plastic and fill it with packing peanuts so the styrofoam box stays secure inside. Seal all the seams with shipping tape and clearly label that the package contains dry ice.

## Ship Food with GoShip

Finding a reliable food shipping carrier that gives fair food freight quotes can be a struggle –– with an online freight marketplace like GoShip, you can [get a freight quote](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/quote-ltl) from the top carriers in your area.

There’s no need to haggle with multiple carriers so that you get the best deal. All you have to do is enter the load type and pickup and delivery zip code.

Learn everything you need to know about shipping food cross country and optimize your transportation costs.

How to Successfully Ship Food Across the Country

Shipping freight can sometimes be a bit stressful, so we’ve put together a guide to make sure you can sit back and relax throughout the process. There’s a lot to keep an eye on, but with the right precautions taken before your cargo hits the road, you can plan and ship without giving it a second thought. At [GoShip](https://goship.com), we want you to know that taking these precautions will allow you to feel confident that your cargo will be safe and sound no matter what.

## **What is freight insurance?**

[Freight insurance](https://www.goship.com/posts/what-is-freight-insurance), also known as cargo insurance, protects the owner or consigner of goods for possible physical loss or damage from outside causes during shipping. The insurer is responsible for reimbursing the policyholder for the value of the goods if they happen to get damaged or perish while in the hands of the shipper. It is usually available from the shipping company itself, or it may be purchased from a third-party insurer as well.

## **Types of Freight Insurance**

There are a variety of coverages available for your freight. It is important to become familiar with the different options before purchasing a policy. However, be aware that coverage is not catch-all, so consider what you’re shipping and how it will be traveling. Below are some different options:

* **Annual –** This policy stays on the records for a year, and involves sharing in-depth information about the company’s shipments, the maximum value of the freight in any one shipment, and annual turnover. This is perfect for frequent shippers, so you know each freight shipment is taken care of in advance.
* **Named Perils –** This insurance covers the damages caused by perils that are specifically listed in the policy.
* **Open Cover –** These policies provide coverage to all shipments, no matter the value, from point A to B, with no expiration date.
* **Single Shipment –** This is a one-time-only policy that applies to a single shipment. It covers a shipment from origin to destination and takes the least amount of time to generate.
* **Total Loss –** This policy means that your goods are protected in the event of catastrophic events or total loss. It does not cover a partial loss.

Freight insurance policies are put in place to protect your freight against loss and damage. No matter how your freight is traveling, you can find a policy with the appropriate coverage for what damages or losses the journey may bear. This insurance will protect your goods on their way to the final destination, and there are many types of coverage available to make sure that you have the best protection for your freight!

Getting freight insurance will protect your cargo from unexpected transit situations and reduce the risks of undesirable expenses. Learn why do you need it in our blog. 

An Introduction to Freight Insurance: What Is It?

As spring quickly approaches, so does the annual International Roadcheck, and it’s time to start preparations for this event. Every year, the [Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)](https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck/) manages an international roadcheck where certified inspectors check carriers’ and drivers’ compliance, enforcement, educational initiatives, and vehicle safety. This year, the roadcheck will take place over three days on May 4-6, 2021.

## What is an International Roadcheck?

Starting on May 4th, inspectors all over North America will execute numerous road inspections to define the violations and equipment malfunctions according to the North American Standard Level I Inspection. Each year, thousands of drivers and carriers are placed out of service because of the blitz. Also, every year, CVSA keeps its focus on a certain category of violations. 

In 2021, the theme of inspection is lighting for vehicles and drivers’ hours of service (HOS). Last year, the focus was around driver violations; two years ago, it was steering and suspension systems. Invalid lighting accounted for about 12% of all vehicle violations discovered in 2020.

More than [15,000 drivers were put](https://www.ccjdigital.com/business/article/14940203/brake-violations-top-roadcheck-out-of-service-conditions) out of service. Inspectors will also be watching for critical vehicle inspection item violations described in the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. If they detect such in compliance, the vehicle will be placed out of service, which means that the vehicle cannot be operated until the identified out-of-service conditions have been changed. 

As part of the annual International Road check, inspectors will ensure the vehicle’s brake systems, cargo securement, coupling devices, driveline components, driver’s seat, exhaust systems, frames, fuel systems, lighting devices, steering mechanisms, suspensions, tires, van, and open-top trailer bodies, wheels, rims, hubs, and windshield wipers are compliant with regulations.

## What does an annual International Roadcheck mean to shippers?

For the shipping industry and shippers, in particular, these inspection days can cause shipment delays. To avoid it, choose carriers and shipping providers with robust tracking capabilities, plan in advance, or use expedited services if your freight needs urgent delivery. 

At GoShip, you can compare rates from multiple carriers and see their availability in real-time. Need to book a shipment? [](https://www.goship.com/)

Start preparing for International Roadcheck 2021 in advance to continue your shipping activity with no interruptions.

Annual International Roadcheck 2021: Getting Ready

Without the use of a semitrailer, shipping appliances can be challenging. However, you won't be shipping enough to fill the trailer most of the time. That is, you will be charged for space in the trailer that you will not be using. Another alternative is to hire a private car to transport your appliances. This, however, can be more costly than renting a semitrailer. You'll also need to have someone from your company take time off to make the appliance delivery.

## How to ship appliances?

Refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves, for example, must be shipped with extreme caution to avoid damage.

* Refrigerators should be defrosted at least 24 hours ahead of time.
* Remove all shelves and drawers and box them separately.
* Separately clean and pack ovens, racks, knobs, and grills.
* Hoses should be removed from washers and dryers, and the drum of the dryer should be tightly fastened.
* To avoid falling open during transit, any appliances with doors should be taped and secured.

GoShip.com, on the other hand, makes shipping huge and small appliances considerably easier and less expensive than any other choice. When you deal with GoShip.com, our knowledgeable and courteous representatives will advise you on the best options for shipping your appliances, locating the most cost-effective options through our user-friendly platforms.

## The cheapest way of transporting appliances

Finally, there are methods available to make freight transportation simple and affordable. Self-service, less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping is available through online platforms such as GoShip.com. LTL freight transportation has the advantage of only charging you for the vehicle space you actually need.


Learn how to easily ship appliances across the country in accordance with standard transportation rules and requirements.

Appliance Shipping: How to Ship Appliances?

The global pandemic has [changed the e-commerce landscape](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-tips-for-shipping-strategy-success-in-2021/) forever. With intense digitalization and the exponential growth of online shopping, retail supply chains across the world are now strained with new market demands. One of those demands is a more efficient order fulfillment strategy, which requires reviewing your [warehouse practices](https://www.plslogistics.com/blog/3-predicted-warehouse-management-trends-for-2021) as well. Inventory discrepancies are becoming a costly issue for businesses. Essentially, more orders and transactions increase the chance for errors, so inventory accuracy is critical.

## How do you achieve higher inventory accuracy?

### Review your warehouse strategy

It is crucial to take a closer look at what’s happening at your warehouse facility. Are you using your organizing your space in the most efficient way possible? What does the order picking process look like? Are you self-storing or using a warehouse service provider? It can be especially challenging for small businesses to implement automation and optimize their warehouse strategy. To combat this, small business owners should consider using a proper warehouse provider or optimizing the fulfillment processes in their warehouse.

### Upgrade your inventory management software

Software is an [essential tool](https://www.goship.com/blog/2021-outlook-small-business-trends/) for managing a business in today’s world. It gives you visibility into processes and transactions in real-time with historical data records. The most important thing about a robust inventory management system is that it prevents going out of stock rather, eliminating the reliance on instinct to detect frequently occurring issues. There is a huge opportunity for cost savings and an increase in inventory accuracy when you can find an error before it inflates into a costly issue.

### Control and consistency

Ultimately, market demands are changing very fast. It is crucial to [keep an eye on your inventory](https://www.goship.com/posts/what-is-deadstock-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it) and warehousing. Regular warehouse check-ups will help you keep a finger on your supply chain’s pulse and be more proactive with your strategy. Consistency and control will help maintain a properly organized warehouse space and enhance order.

Review your warehousing operations to attain better inventory accuracy and improve order fulfillment.

Attain Better Inventory Accuracy to Improve Order Fulfillment

When trying to arrange a shipment as soon as possible, business owners sometimes miss out on significant points. Still, the attention to detail and your desire to improve the delivery process can eliminate the risks of shipping errors.



# How can you avoid freight shipping errors?



Mistakes happen, and they can potentially cost companies thousands of dollars. Even the most experienced shippers make common mistakes during their everyday planning. We laid out five practical strategies for you to follow when ready for shipment to avoid these mistakes.



## Package your freight properly

It’s up to you to [](https://www.goship.com/blog/package-vs-pallet-shipping/) package their freight correctly. A few extra minutes is all you need when deciding on a suitable packaging method. Luckily, today there are many available options to prevent your items from any possible damage during transportation. It is better to start with picking the crates fitting your goods and increasing the cargo density by using various void fillers and protective wrapping materials. Then, it’s time to take care of fixating your boxes inside the trailer. The most practical way to do it is [palletizing](https://www.goship.com/posts/package-vs-pallet-shipping) your freight. Pallets will limit the unwanted movement of the cargo during transportation and simplify loading/unloading processes. Taking your time to pack the goods properly is worth it when your freight arrives intact and damage-free.



## Estimate the freight class

Understanding your [freight class](https://www.goship.com/blog/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class/) will aid your carrier in planning and ensure you avoid hidden costs. Skipping the estimation of the freight class could cause you to pay more than you should. If you don’t give the most accurate specifications of your shipment, carriers will have to adjust the rate. In advance, try to gather all the necessary information, primarily the weight, size, and dimensions. It will also give you a clear understanding of the transport type needed to deliver the goods. Besides, the cargo volume is the most critical factor in choosing a suitable [shipping method](https://www.goship.com/posts/ltl-vs-ftl-which-option-is-best-for-me). For example, you would usually transport large shipments via full truckload (FTL) mode to fill out the entire trailer space. On the other hand, smaller shipments are compatible with less than truckload (LTL) shipping mode, where you will share the trailer space with several other shippers.



## Collect the required paperwork

Shipping documentation is one of the core questions business owners sometimes overlook during transit preparation. However, it’s critical to take care of the necessary paperwork to prevent possible supply chain disruptions. Ensure to gather the pack of documents, including the [Bill of Lading](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-complete-a-bol-bill-of-lading-form), containing the data about the shipped items and the carrier invoice, which works as a freight bill of the provided transportation services. Some shipments will also require you to prepare the packing list with details goods descriptions and some other papers - everything depends on what and how you are moving. Shipping paperwork also involves [freight insurance](https://www.goship.com/resources/freight-insurance), which can help you reduce the risks of cargo damage or loss. 



## Track the shipment after pickup

As a solid business owner, you want to make sure your shipment arrives on time. If you overlook timing, it will force the receiver to reach out and complain about shipping delays. It is best to understand when your shipment will reach its destination. You should be sure to factor in harsh weather or the holiday season, which may increase delivery time. It is where the option of [shipment tracking](https://www.goship.com/posts/3-reasons-shipment-tracking-matters) comes in handy. The tracking system is helpful for both retailers and the customers as everyone can keep an eye on a shipment flow from any type of gadget. Thus, you feel in control of the supply chain process, and your buyers stay updated on the emerging changes. Simultaneously, they will receive notifications in case of delivery shifts.



## Choose reliable carriers

Finally, it’s essential to find the carrier that can provide you with the best rate and service. Some carriers will be suitable for certain types of freight. Therefore, you have access to an extensive list of carriers to make the right decision. When planning a shipment, consider your cargo specifics and outline the most relevant shipping mode and types of transport you find the best in your case. It is also vital to count your budgeting and work out the optimal timeline. Thus, you’ll know what type of carrier would meet your logistics needs the best.

At GoShip, we take the stress out of shipping. Let us use our advanced industry knowledge to get your freight where it needs to go. With plenty of qualified and experienced carriers, you can find the best rate for your budget and freight. See how we can help with our online solution by [getting a free quote](https://www.goship.com/) today!

Become an experienced shipper by exploring the most common freight shipping mistakes and how to avoid them.

Best Tips to Avoid Common Freight Shipping Mistakes

Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, more consumers have turned to online shopping than before. This overwhelming demand for shipping and delivery services caused freight rates to climb even higher.

Because of this, shippers (especially small business owners) are looking for cost-effective ways to deliver their packages. LTL, or less-than-truckload shipping, is one of the best options for minimizing shipping costs. However, you must understand how the LTL rate structure works in order to keep shipping rates low.

LTL shipping use weight, freight class, and distance to calculate the freight rates. The key to lowering freight rates is to package your items well by minimizing total load volume and cubic footprint. Carefully planning your deliveries to ship in bulk, avoiding high tariff days, and extending delivery windows will also lower your LTL freight expenses. 

Furthermore, it is crucial to choose a reliable and cost-effective LTL shipping service. An online freight marketplace can help you compare LTL freight companies.

In this article, learn how LTL freight rates are determined and how you can save on LTL freight rates.

## How are LTL Freight Rates Determined?

Unlike full truckload shipping, less than truckload only charges shippers for the actual space or cubic feet that their package occupies on the truck.

LTL shipments use three primary criteria to determine shipping rates:

* Freight class
* Weight
* Distance

Freight class is mainly based on density. Density is calculated by dividing the package's weight by its volume (length x width x height). The denser an object is, the lower the freight rate per pound. 

Stackability also affects freight class. Packages that are easy to stack are cheaper to ship.

In short, packages that are stackable and have a higher density are assigned a lower freight class. Lower freight class will give you cheaper LTL freight rates.

As expected, the further your package travels, the more you'll pay for shipping.

## How to Get The Lowest LTL Freight Rates

### Measure your package carefully

As mentioned, your package's weight, density, and dimensions are used to determine freight class. Freight class varies from 50 to 500, and falling into one category will determine the final shipping cost.

It's crucial to measure all information as accurately and precisely as possible. Even a slight discrepancy in measurement and calculation can result in additional fees.

### Minimize the space occupied and keep loads stackable

It's also important that you reduce the cubic footprint of your packages. One of the most effective ways to minimize your freight space is to reconsider your packaging. Especially if you use bulky packaging, you may need to reconsider fitting more goods into a single pallet.

When looking into packaging, make sure to avoid irregularly shaped pallets. Carriers will usually charge you extra for the unused sellable space due to low stackability. You'll save more on standard 4x4 pallets since these are easier to stack.

### Ship in bulk

If you want to reduce your LTL shipping expenses, it's critical that you plan your shipments carefully. Instead of sending small packages individually on different dates, consider making a larger shipment to reduce overall LTL costs.

Grouping shipments together can give you more significant price breaks and discounts. On top of that, bulk shipments are more efficient for the LTL carrier, which means you can negotiate better prices.

Shipping in bulk is an excellent option for businesses with non-perishable products. However, it might not be the best option for time-sensitive deliveries. 

On top of these considerations, you can plan your group shipments on off-peak seasons to minimize costs even more.

### Load consolidation

Consolidated shipping involves combining your freight with other shippers' freight in your area. Load consolidation is a great choice if you find other shippers with the same point of origin and final shipping destination.

The consolidated shipping method allows businesses, suppliers, partners, and even competitors to work together to lower shipping rates. 

If you find enough shippers that will ship to the same location, you may even be able to fill an entire trailer and avail of a full truckload (FTL) service. FTL shipping is generally the cheapest shipping option for companies with enough products to fill an entire truck.

### Know about carrier tariffs

Carriers have varying regulations on tariffs and surcharges. Contact your logistics carrier for information on hidden fees before booking their services if you want to lower your LTL shipping rates.

Some LTL companies charge more for destinations that are not easily accessible. If the pickup or delivery location is in a remote area, you should expect additional fees and surcharges. Some carriers will also charge more if the delivery passes through a congested highway.

### Avoid high traffic days

Shipping costs are higher on days when demand for freight services is higher. Because of this, you should plan ahead to avoid these high traffic days as trucks flood the main highways.

Instead of shipping on weekends or close to the holiday season, consider making your shipments on Monday or Friday since these are the slowest days for most carriers.

If you're not sure about a carrier's low traffic days, your carrier may have suggestions on the best days to make a shipment.

### Look for reliable and budget-friendly logistics partners

As you may have noticed from most of our tips, you need to do a lot of research and negotiations to get lower LTL shipping costs. However, not many shippers have enough time to review and contact all the available carriers in their area.

Because of this, many businesses and individual shippers get overpriced LTL shipping rates. Even worse, some may entrust their packages with unreliable shipping carriers.

To ensure that you choose a reliable and budget-friendly LTL carrier, consider using an online freight marketplace like [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/).

[GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/) works with thousands of the most trusted shipping carriers in the US. Through the 24/7 GoShip.com platform, you can get an instant overview of the best shipping rates. All you need to do is select a load time and enter your shipping details to [get a quote](https://quotes.goship.com/booking/request-quote) using the online freight calculator.

LTL freight costs have been on the rise for years, but there are some tips and tricks to follow to reduce your transportation costs.

Basic Guide for Low LTL Freight Rates

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic started in 2020, more consumers have turned to online shopping. This overwhelming demand for shipping and delivery services caused freight rates to climb even higher. Because of this, shippers (most especially small business owners) are looking for cost-effective ways to deliver their packages. LTL or less-than-truckload shipping is one of the best options for minimizing shipping costs.

However, it’s important that you understand how the LTL rate structure works so that you can plan how to keep shipping rates low.

LTL shipping use weight, freight class, and distance to calculate the freight rates. 

**The key to lowering freight rates is to package your items well by minimizing total load volume and cubic footprint. Carefully planning your deliveries to ship in bulk, avoiding high tariff days, and extending delivery windows will also lower your LTL freight expenses.** 

**It’s also critical that you choose a reliable yet cost-effective LTL shipping service. An online freight marketplace can help you compare LTL freight companies.**

In this article, learn how LTL freight rates are determined and how you can save on LTL freight rates.

## How are LTL Freight Rates Determined?

Unlike full truckload shipping, less than truckload only charges shippers for the actual space or cubic feet that their package occupies on the truck.

LTL shipments use three major criteria to determine shipping rates:

* Freight class
* Weight
* Distance

Freight class is mainly based on density, which is calculated by dividing the weight of the package is divided by its volume (length x width x height). The denser an object is, the lower the freight rate per pound. 

Stackability also affects freight class. Packages that are easy to stack are cheaper to ship.

In short, packages that are stackable and have a higher density are assigned a lower freight class. Lower freight class will give you cheaper LTL freight rates.

As expected, the further your package travels, the more you’ll pay for shipping.

## How to Get The Lowest LTL Freight Rates

### Measure your package carefully

As mentioned, your package’s weight, density, and dimensions are used to determine freight class. Freight class varies from 50 to 500, and falling into one category will determine the final shipping cost.

It’s important that you measure all these information as accurately and precisely as possible. Even a slight discrepancy in measurement and calculation can result in additional fees.

### Minimize the space occupied and keep loads stackable

It’s also important that you reduce the cubic footprint of your packages,

One of the most effective ways to minimize the space that your freight occupies is to reconsider your packaging. Especially if you use bulky packaging, you may need to reconsider fitting more goods into a single pallet.

When looking into packaging, make sure to avoid irregularly shaped pallets. Carriers will usually charge you extra for the sellable space that was unused due to low stackability. You’ll save more on standard 4x4 pallets since these are easier to stack.

### Ship in bulk

If you want to reduce your LTL shipping expenses, it’s critical that you plan your shipments carefully. Instead of sending small packages individually on different dates, consider making a larger shipment to reduce overall LTL costs.

Grouping shipments together can give you larger price breaks and discounts. On top of that, bulk shipments are more efficient for the LTL carrier, which means you can negotiate better prices.

Shipping in bulk is a great option for businesses with non-perishable products. However, it might not be the best option for time-sensitive deliveries. 

On top of these considerations, you can plan your group shipments on off-peak seasons to minimize costs even more.

### Load consolidation

Consolidated shipping involves combining your freight with the freight of other shippers in your area. Load consolidation is a great choice if you find other shippers with the same point of origin and final shipping destination.

The consolidated shipping method allows businesses, suppliers, partners, and even competitors to work together to lower shipping rates. 

If you find enough shippers that will ship to the same location, you may even be able to fill an entire trailer and avail of a full truckload (FTL) service. FTL shipping is generally the cheapest shipping option for companies that have enough products to fill an entire truck.

### Know about carrier tariffs

Carriers have varying regulations on tariffs and surcharges. If you want to lower your LTL shipping rates, make sure to contact your logistics carrier before booking their services.

Some LTL companies charge more for destinations that are not easily accessible. If the pickup or delivery location is in a remote area, you should expect additional fees ad surcharges.

Other carriers will charge more if the delivery entails passing through a congested highway.

### Avoid high traffic days

Shipping costs are higher on days when demand for freight services is higher. Because of this, you should plan ahead to avoid these high traffic days as trucks flood the main highways.

Instead of shipping on weekends or close to the holiday season, consider making your shipments on Monday or Friday since these are the slowest days for most carriers.

If you’re not sure about a carrier’s low traffic days, your carrier may have suggestions on the best days to make a shipment.

### Look for reliable and budget-friendly logistics partners

As you may have noticed from most of our tips, you need to do a lot of research and negotiations to get lower LTL shipping costs. However, not many shippers have enough time to review and contact all the available carriers in their area.

Because of this, many businesses and individual shippers get overpriced LTL shipping rates. Even worse, some may entrust their packages with unreliable shipping carriers.

**To ensure that you choose a reliable and budget-friendly LTL carrier, consider using an online freight marketplace like GoShip.com.**

GoShip.com works with thousands of the most trusted shipping carriers in the US. Through the 24/7 GoShip.com platform, you can get an instant overview of the best shipping rates.

All you need to do is select a load time and enter your shipping details to get a quote using the online freight calculator.

The key to lowering freight rates is to package your items well by minimizing total load volume and cubic footprint. Carefully planning your deliveries to ship in bulk, avoiding high tariff days, and extending delivery windows will also lower your LTL freight expenses

Basic Guide for low LTL Freight Rates

customers using online shipping platforms

Online shipping platforms like GoShip.com provide shipping solutions for small businesses and individual shippers without dealing with brokers or carriers. Whether you need to transport large items, multiple pallets full of goods, or over-sized parcel that ordinary delivery services don’t accept, online LTL shipping companies can help. Online platforms with a wide network of professional carriers and drivers let you find a perfect shipping option for any freight. Whether it is bulky furniture, supplies for your business or an old piano — the shipping process can be simple.

## How does it work?

All you need to do is to log onto the website, set your requirements and choose from a variety of available carriers. Online freight services like GoShip offer [less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping](https://www.goship.com/posts/ltl-freight-shipping-for-beginners), which means that your cargo doesn’t fill up the entire truck. You share the capacity with other customers and pay only for space that you actually use. Using an online service means that you don’t have to deal with middle links of the shipping chain. There’s no need to wait for voice messages, emails and dozens of confirmations to schedule your shipment. Most services have mobile apps or are smartphone-friendly, so you can track your freight and compare all the available options for transportation right at your fingertips. As the mechanism of booking is much faster, carriers and shippers can arrange deals more efficiently than ever before. Small businesses and individuals often find online shipping services the most useful for their needs. Here are 3 main reasons why you should use an online shipping service like GoShip.com:

1. **You save money.** If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you definitely don’t want to spend the majority of your budget on the logistics. Large shipping companies can be expensive and don't offer any agile options for smaller businesses. At GoShip.com, you can pick a necessary service that will match your needs. Through its online shipping platform, you can select the best price to make your transportation affordable.
2. **You save time.** When your business is fiercely evolving, you probably don’t have time to constantly speak to brokers, drivers, carriers, and suppliers. And you don’t have to — smart technologies will do this for you. Just specify your requirements and pick the relevant carrier. Using an online self-service shipping option like GoShip.com lets you [pick the perfect LTL provider](https://www.goship.com/blog/searching-for-the-perfect-ltl-provider/) for your shipment.
3. **You can ship anything, anywhere.** Individual shippers often face obstacles while trying to transport large items. Are you moving to a new house? Do you need to ship bulky furniture? GoShip.com offers the best solutions for personal shipping: from cross-country delivery to Craigslist shipping. While selling and buying things on eBay and Craigslist is fun, it often becomes a problem to transport oversized items where you need them to go. Thanks to LTL shipping, you can transport any freight and be confident about its safety.

If you’ve already decided to improve your shipping process, discover how GoShip.com’s services will help you reach your goals. [Get a quote today!](https://www.goship.com)

With their improved visibility, online shipping platforms will help you organize the delivery fast and easy.

Top 3 Benefits of Using Online Shipping Platforms

If you are shipping goods across the country, you probably look for the lowest freight shipping rates. While many online shipping services offer free quote comparison, it can be tricky to choose the best one for your needs. Shippers are often unaware of how they can reduce shipping costs on their own. Before diving into the shipment booking process, you should know some tips and tricks on how to save on transportation and get the best freight rates:

## **Provide Accurate Information**

Beginner shippers often make a common mistake by stating approximate information about their freight. When calculating freight quotes, dimensions, weight, and density are key measures, and small differences can bring you additional charges and fees. Make sure to properly measure your package to avoid higher rates and confusion.

## **Consolidate and Pack Your Shipments**

If you ship boxes via an LTL shipping service, it is highly recommended to put your boxes onto a pallet and stack them. This will help to simplify handling, ensure shipment protection, and reduce your spending. How? Firstly, a pallet of multiple boxes or packages is considered a single piece, so it will eliminate per item cost. Also, it is cheaper to ship several pallets at once instead of moving separate boxes frequently. *Read more about [Packing and Palletizing your Shipment](https://www.goship.com/blog/package-vs-pallet-shipping/)*

## **Determine Your Freight Class Correctly**

To simplify the standardization and provide fair freight pricing, the [National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)](http://www.nmfta.org/Home/Index) created a set of rules known as "freight classification." This means every type of freight should be classified with a special [NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification)](http://www.nmfta.org/pages/nmfc) code. Classes vary from 50 to 500, and the lower the number is, the cheaper the rate you’ll get. Therefore, choosing the proper [freight class](https://www.goship.com/posts/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class) impacts shipping costs. Luckily, online shipping services like GoShip.com have automated freight class calculators to make shipping easier for you. *Read more about freight classification in [LTL Freight Shipping Guide](https://www.goship.com/blog/ltl-freight-shipping-guide/)*

## **Consider Carrier Tariffs**

The final cost of your shipping is highly affected by the regulations and rules of a certain carrier. Mainly, these tariffs depend on pickup or delivery location. Some destinations are hard to access or remote, and some locations include regional fees and surcharges. If the lane goes into a big city with highway congestion, you can be additionally charged. It is important to communicate all details about your shipment to help avoid these issues.

## **Choose a Reliable Online Shipping Service**

No matter if you are a small business owner or an individual shipper, arranging freight transportation can be stressful. However, innovative shipping services like GoShip.com make this process seamless and smooth. With an online shipping solution, you can compare carrier rates head-to-head and choose from a variety of options. You can also book a carrier within a few clicks without dealing with freight brokers. Additional tools like freight class calculator and 24/7 shipment tracking make transportation even easier and more comfortable. Looking for LTL quotes? Get one [here](https://www.goship.com/)!

Use our short guide to get the best LTL shipping rates and learn how to effectively save costs on your LTL shipments.

5 Steps To Get the Best LTL Shipping Rates

The shipping industry is growing at an incredible rate and shippers are finding it harder to navigate the complicated supply chain process. 

With all the options to choose from, we get how overwhelming it can be to choose a transportation method that’s right for you.

Naturally, there isn’t a one size fits all solution to logistics. However, one shipping method comes close –– intermodal shipping.

Intermodal shipping uses a variety of vehicles when transporting freight. Understanding the benefits of each transportation mode helps to determine which combination of vehicles will help reduce handling and overall costs.

In this article, let’s learn about intermodal transportation, its benefits, and how you can make the most of this versatile shipping method.

## What is intermodal transportation?

Intermodal freight is the transportation of [products and raw materials](https://www.goship.com/wholesale-retail-trade) in an intermodal vehicle or container through multiple modes of transportation:

* Truck
* Ship
* Rail

It is a term used for two or more methods of transporting freight, most commonly truck and rail.

Intermodal container dimensions adhere to the International Organization for Standardization, which is why there is no need for additional handling when changing [transportation modes](https://www.goship.com/posts/modes-of-transportation-in-logistics). This prevents potential damage to products while encouraging seamless and fast delivery.

## How does intermodal transportation work?

The most common intermodal process uses a combination of rail and [truck transportation. ](https://www.goship.com/freight)

A truck will bring a container to a railway station, where the container will board another truck upon arrival at its destination. 

When it comes to international intermodal shipping, a container is typically moved from a ship to rail for domestic transport. To get to its final destination, the container is typically transferred to a truck.

The railway system uses the least amount of fuel than any other form of road transport, which is why it’s popular for reducing shipping costs.

## Intermodal Transportation Benefits

If you’re still unsure whether intermodal transportation will benefit your shipping logistics, take a look at these points:

### Cost-effective 

Intermodal shipping gives shippers the benefit of choosing which modes of transportation will use the least amount of fuel. Simply moving cargo through rail versus truck through a few hundred miles can significantly boost your savings.

### Secure and Reliable

The dual-mode transportation through truck and rail is one of the most reliable shipping methods as the rail system is immune to delays caused by traffic, inclement weather, and less ideal road conditions.

On top of that, additional security is usually provided at rail systems, terminals, and ramps, preventing the likelihood of theft.

Lastly, because intermodal freight is subject to less handling, cargo damage or loss isn’t likely to occur.

### Personalized Packaging

Since intermodal shipping containers stay sealed throughout the entirety of their journey, shippers have more flexibility in choosing their own packaging. 

In case of any damage to your freight, the carrier will most likely shoulder the damage since it most likely occurred in transit.

### Eco-Friendly

Finding ways to reduce fuel consumption in logistics has the potential to eliminate carbon emissions and greenhouse gas.

Railway systems are known to be the most fuel-efficient method of land transportation. According to research, transportation by train is [4.5 to 5 times more efficient](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259158473_Comparing_rail_fuel_efficiency_with_truck_and_waterway) than truck freight. 

## Intermodal Transportation Best Practices

Getting started with intermodal transportation can be overwhelming, but once you get these practices down to a tee, we guarantee that you’ll surely reap the benefits.

### Understand the benefits of each transportation mode

Before you book an intermodal shipment, you need to learn about the specific benefits of each shipping option.

For road transport, one of the first things you need to check is the amount of fuel consumed by your truck and rail options. On top of that, make sure to check head haul and backhaul pricing and requirements.

You also need to learn about the number of available containers and [trailer types](https://www.goship.com/posts/what-are-the-types-of-trailers-in-truckload-shipping). 

Compare the transit times and the overall costs of all road options, considering the proximity of terminals and their hours of operation.

### Plan for intermodal shipping

Most shippers will overlook intermodal shipping over LTL and FTL freight.

If you’re scheduling multiple LTL shipments to the same destination within a short period, you’re missing the opportunity to reduce shipping costs via intermodal shipping.

Try to allocate some time planning your shipping schedule where you may be able to consolidate shipments that prioritize the rail option. In short, you’ll be incorporating bulk shipments through a combination of rail and track. For this, you’ll need to consider the available service services and their transit times throughout the week.

### Secure packaging

Even though intermodal shipping containers stay sealed from pick up until it reaches the final destination, you still need to give extra thought to packaging. Remember that it will be transferred from two or more vehicles, so you’ll want to keep the freight secure inside the container. 

Try to reduce movement inside the container by distributing the weight of the cargo and avoiding stacking parcels. You can also use filler products to prevent cargo from shifting positions.

## Intermodal container companies 

There are many different types of intermodal providers, but we’ll focus on asset and non-asset intermodal marketing companies (IMC).

### Bi-Modal IMC

Asset or Bi-modal IMCs own dray assets including containers, chassis, vehicles, and drivers. However, asset IMCs don’t own the railroad assets.

The most common bi-modal shipping methods are trailer on flat car (TOFC) and container on flat car (COFC).

### Non-Asset IMC

Non-asset IMCs don’t own dray assets. Non-asset IMCs foster partnerships with various dray companies and railroads to provide their services.

## Conclusion

While there are multiple types of IMCs, there is no provider that owns 100% of the dray and railroad assets used throughout the shipment process.  In short, all intermodal companies depend on a portion of their services from other providers.

An online freight marketplace is the best way to find affordable freight services. On top of that, you can avoid the expenses that come with dealing with a freight broker.

To get started on intermodal shipping, get affordable LTL and FTL freight shipments quotes from the [GoShip.com online calculator.](https://www.goship.com/)

Intermodal freight transportation is a complex logistics operation that allows you to deliver your goods to remote locations.

Best Logistics Practices for Intermodal Freight Transportation

Temperature-controlled shipping is a critical part of the global supply chain ecosystem, as it is the primary way of distributing perishables like food and medicine. In fact, reefers, or [refrigerated trucks](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-refrigerated-shipping-and-how-does-it-work/), handle 90% of all food distributed through the US. With the [produce season](https://www.goship.com/blog/produce-shipping-season-2021-how-to-ship-frozen-food/) quickly approaching and the massive rollout of vaccines, we have gathered the best practices for managing your cold shipping

## How to ship cold items: 3 best practices for cold shipping management

### 1. Cold packs for shipping

Packaging and storage play a crucial role in temperature-controlled shipping. Depending on the product, there are different climate conditions that need to be considered when shipping refrigerated items. Any discrepancy or violation of standard temperature requirements results in spoiled goods and wasted money. At most, it could cause damaging effects for other parties involved. Finding the right carrier and service for cold shipments, as well as providing ice packs for shipping perishables, is essential to safely and efficiently ship your stock.

### 2. Regulatory compliance

The key thing that differs cold shipping from regular freight shipping is that it is strictly regulated. Shippers who transport perishable goods need to be acutely aware of the industry standards and regulatory updates. This especially applies to businesses who ship products that fall under the [FDA’s sanitary transport rule](https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/ucm383763.htm) and the [Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)](https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/FSMA/).

### 3. Choosing the right partner for cold shipping

Temperature-controlled shipping and operations in the cold supply chains do not have the same margin for error that dry shipments have, so choosing a reliable and experienced shipping provider is essential. With the right logistics partner, businesses can diversify their cold carrier network, ensure better service and compliance, and mitigate risks GoShip offers convenient refrigerated shipping services. Get a quote and compare rates for your cold shipments!

Get familiar with the most important aspects of the cold chain logistics and start refrigerated shipping easily.

Top 3 Practices for Your Cold Chain Logistics Management

Have you ever struggled to move a mattress during your shipment? Although mattresses may not seem too important, they are a frequent request of delivery services. Still, mattresses aren't the easiest to ship as they're bulky, heavy, and require reliable packaging and fixation. If you are planning a shipment and need to find an easy way to move your mattress, we want to help. 



# Shipping mattress

First, we would like to break down the common types of mattresses. Most mattresses fall into one of seven categories: innerspring, hybrid, pillow top, water, memory foam, latex, and gel spring. Each mattress is made up of a different support system to make sleeping the most comfortable for you. If you are looking to purchase a mattress, you should do your research on different types and makeup of mattresses to be sure the one you select fits your comfort and sleeping needs.  



## How to pack a mattress?

Whether you chose to move your mattress yourself or use a shipping company, it is recommended to preliminary remove any external elements from the mattress and verify it's clean and dry. Then, wrap the mattress in plastic or a special mattress bag to protect it from any damage. After condensing the item into a shipping bag, tape its ends to keep the mattress away from dirt and moisture.

When shipping a mattress, most people fasten it to the top of their car or pack it into a van or the bed of a truck. If you are planning to locate the item on the roof of your car, tape or tie down any extra plastic and balance the mattress in the middle of the car roof. It is also important to drive slowly to avoid the mattress shifting out of place. You need to make sure you can see out of the proper windows in the vehicle you will be driving for your safety. 

If you are hiring a carrier to move your mattress, remember they normally require mattresses to be bagged and boxed before the pickup day. To do it, you can use a professional help service that will assist you with proper packing performance and perfectly prepare your mattress for shipment. GoShip partners with [TaskRabbit service](https://www.goship.com/resources/get-help-with-taskrabbit) provider that effectively helps with packing, shifting, lifting, etc. 



## How to ship a mattress?

To move your mattress fast and properly, it is necessary to choose a reliable carrier. If you need to ship a single item, shipping services will offer you [less than truckload (LTL)](https://www.goship.com/posts/ltl-freight-shipping-for-beginners) delivery which implies sharing the truck space with other shippers thus saving your costs. In case your shipment is time-sensitive, or you've got several mattresses to move, it is better to go for [full truckload (FTL)](https://www.goship.com/posts/when-should-you-switch-to-full-truckload-shipping) shipping mode where you'll fill the whole trailer out. Besides, the driver won't make any additional stops on the road.

If you want to move a mattress and need shipping assistance, check out our [GoShip](https://www.goship.com/) delivery suggestions. We will provide you access to a vast carrier network, so you can find the best option.

Follow a few easy steps to properly pack and move a mattress according to all the transportation requirements. 

How to Properly Pack and Move Your Mattress: A Short Guide

LTL freight class box truck loading boxes

Less than truckload shipping has become one of the favorite transportations modes among retailers. It is characterized by high capacity and affordable shipping costs. While the general concept of LTL is easy, understanding the freight class may be complex.

# **What is the LTL freight class?**

LTL freight classification is a system created by [NMFTA (National Motor Freight Traffic Association)](http://www.nmfta.org/) to categorize different types of cargo. It is based on several haracteristics and pricing differentiation. All commodities are divided into 18 classes, varying from Class 50 to Class 500, and a unique NMFC code is attached to each commodity. The higher the class, the higher the rate per hundred pounds shipped is.

## **How to find out your LTL freight class?**

Most of the latest online LTL shipping services like GoShip suggest computerized freight class calculators. Once you’ve entered shipment information, you can just choose the right option from a list or it will be automatically generated for you. Otherwise, you can ask a manufacturer, who would know the product's freight class in detail. You can view the full list of classifications in the [NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification) tariff](http://www.nmfta.org/pages/nmfc).

## **What factors define your freight class?**

Essentially, there is a set of criteria, upon which carriers classify their freight. Primarily, the cargo group depends on the density, dimensions, and other additional characteristics.

### **Density**

The density is the space the item occupies comparatively to its weight. The [density](https://www.goship.com/posts/density-affect-ltl-shipping) is an essential measure for determining freight class. Typically, the freight density calculator divides the weight of the item in pounds by its volume in cubic feet. Your product’s volume in cubic feet is length x width x height/1,728, where you measure all dimensions in inches.

### **Stackability**

Some items, like boxes, are easy to stack and move. However, not all freight can fit the box due to the size, shape, or weight, and that’s why stackability is one of the important characteristics when classifying your freight shipment.

### **Handling**

Most freight is loaded with mechanical equipment and poses no handling difficulties. But some freight, due to weight, shape, fragility, or hazardous properties, requires special attention. Therefore, a classification represents the ease of handling or difficulty of loading and carrying the load.

### **Liability**

Liability is the probability of freight theft or damage. Perishable goods or hazardous items are classified based on liability and assigned a value per pound, which is a part of the carrier’s liability. When the classification is based on [liability](https://www.goship.com/posts/freight-liability-vs-freight-insurance), density must also be considered.

Ultimately, defining the right LTL freight class is extremely important for a seamless and smooth shipping experience. The incorrect classification can bring a lot of stress and waste your money and time. Make sure you have double-checked the information about your load before transporting them to avoid any further confusion.

## Why is LTL freight class important?

Understanding your freight class directly affects the shipping costs. The higher freight class is, the more transportations prices increase. To get a maximum precise LTL quote, it is recommended to thoroughly take and register all the measurements of your cargo. Due to the LTL shipping specifics, you'll share the trailer's space with several partners whose items might belong to the different freight classes. That is, the LTL carriers can sometimes re-weigh your boxes or pallets and check how much of a space they take in a truck. So, it is better to make all the calculations yourself and use multiple freight class defining tools.

At GoShip, you will be connected with numerous LTL carriers that can ship freight of any class. Try using our online [free quote tool](https://www.goship.com/) to start shipping as soon as possible.

LTL freight shipping is one of the best logistics solutions for retailers and small businesses. Define your freight class and start your LTL shipping easily.

LTL Freight Class: Everything You Need to Know

## Shipping Oversized Items

The e-commerce sector is fiercely expanding, and the number of consumers who are purchasing online is constantly growing. According to, holiday e-commerce sales in 2018 have reached $120 billion compared to $103,88 in 2017, which is 15.5 percent growth. Purchasing oversized items, like furniture or equipment online is becoming more common as well. However, many people still experience difficulties when it comes to [shipping oversized items](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-ship-large-items).

## What are the options?

Whether you are buying or selling bulky items via eBay or Craigslist, there is always a dangling question: how does it get to the owner? What’s even more pressing is how can it be delivered fast and without any damage? With services like [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/), shipping of oversized items is easier than ever before.

## Shipping oversized items via LTL shipping

One of the best possible alternatives for large pieces transportation is LTL (less-than-truckload) shipping. LTL shipping does not require the full truck capacity, and you can pay only for space you actually use. LTL shipping providers, like GoShip.com, offer user-friendly services for safe and convenient delivery of large items. Many of these services are based on the online marketplaces, so you can arrange delivery 24/7 without extra needed communication. To approximately understand the cost of a certain shipment, you can get a [free estimate](https://app.goship.com/#/wizard), based on the size and dimensions of the object. Often large shipments cannot be delivered by standard parcel services and need a complex packing. To deliver your items safely, shipping services offer palletizing, wrapping, cushioning or crating. There are also other additional services, such as lift gates, to make the shipping as comfortable as possible for you.

## Benefits of LTL

If safety and convenience are important for you, LTL shipping is the soundest solution for your needs. You don’t have to worry about burdensome operations or communication with dozens of people. Everything is done online within few clicks. Online shipping services not only let you easily and safely move items but also offer reasonable pricing. It is always challenging to arrange such complicated things when shipping all by yourself. It can turn out to be more expensive and stressful delivery, than when using a trusted LTL shipping provider.  Reliable shipping services, like [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/), have an extensive network of carriers and provide all the needed options to meet your expectations.

Shipping oversized items can seem complicated and sometimes dangerous. You can simplify the process by choosing a suitable transportation mode.

How To Safely Ship Oversized Items: Everything You Need To Know

Whether you are choosing furniture for a new house, workplace, or selling furniture pieces, the final step is shipping. Essentially, you want to be confident that your goods will arrive safe and secure. So, it’s important to choose a good shipping company. However, with the wide span of options, choosing the right furniture delivery service may be a challenge. 

You can [ship furniture](https://www.goship.com/blog/shipping-furniture/) in many different ways, from white-glove moving to [online shipping services](https://www.goship.com/blog/benefits-of-using-an-online-shipping-service/), every alternative has its benefits and pitfalls. The final choice is up to you. But before booking any service, you should pay attention to the key factors when picking a furniture delivery service.

## **Availability and shipment visibility**

In today’s dynamic world, the [ability to track your shipment](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-benefits-of-shipment-tracking/) is no longer optional. A good furniture shipping service has to provide visibility into the shipping process. Make sure to ask your shipping provider whether they offer freight tracking so that you can be confident about the delivery from the start to the finish. Additionally, your moving service should always be in touch with you. Availability is crucial when you ship expensive and damage-sensitive shipments.

## **Shipping cost**

Shipping cost is the main concern for shippers when choosing a shipping partner. In fact, the final price can differ depending on the carrier you pick, however, there are [several factors](https://www.goship.com/blog/factors-determine-ltl-shipping-rates/) that play a big role in defining shipping cost. Those factors are weight, dimensions, fragility, stackability, and more. Good furniture delivery services offer a shipping calculator that lets you define the approximate quote online without having to pay for anything in advance.

## **Liability and insurance**

Often overlooked by shippers, goods protection is a critical factor that lets you avoid stress. The majority of services and carriers who move furniture can offer you a minimum liability, but it will not save you in case of freight loss or damage. There’s a big [difference between liability and insurance](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-freight-insurance/). Freight [insurance](https://www.goship.com/resources/freight-insurance) ensures you have your goods covered no matter what. Ultimately, delivery services should align you with this information. In a nutshell, shipping furniture can be easy and convenient. The key to successfully moving your goods is a [reliable shipping partner](https://www.goship.com/blog/searching-for-the-perfect-ltl-provider/). Make sure to choose rationally, and everything will go well!

## **Ship furniture with GoShip!**

GoShip offers an affordable and reliable **[furniture delivery](https://www.goship.com/furniture)** service. Our professional experience and network of [LTL shipping companies](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping/) provide you with options that are cost-effective, time-saving, and easy to use.

If you want to move the furniture fast and safely, it is necessary to find a suitable furniture delivery service.

Furniture Delivery Services: Everything You Need to Know

FTL or full truckload carriers make up the [largest freight market share](https://tai-software.com/the-complete-guide-to-ftl-freight/) globally at about 46.4%. FTL shipping offers some of the most flexible and convenient methods to land delivery, particularly in North America. FTL carriers provide an excellent solution for shipping high-value, fragile, or hazardous products urgently and safely to their destination.  

Due to point-to-point standards of FTL shipments, suppliers can rest assured that FTL shipments will entail less handling and higher security. It is therefore essential to choose the right FTL carrier that will address your individual needs and give you the best shipping experience. However, there are a few more considerations when choosing the right FTL carriers. 

To help you find the best solutions, read our guide on the factors to consider when choosing the right FTL carrier for your business. 

## Why should I go for FTL Shipping? 

Before discussing how to choose the right FTL shipping carrier, it’s important to figure out if the FTL shipping method is the most optimal solution for you. Here are some of the main features of FTL carriers and shipments: 

* Point-to-point shipping regulations reduce delays and product mishandling 
* For time-sensitive deliveries 
* Security is the top priority 
* No unnecessary handling of goods 
* For loads heavier than 15,000 pounds 
* Highly trained drivers and operators 

The downside of choosing FTL shipping is that rates regularly fluctuate due to freight capacity, fuel costs, transit time, unfavorable elements and/or weather conditions, accessorial charges, and truck type.  Dealing with FTL shipments can be complex, that’s why we recommend finding [reliable logistics experts and carriers](https://www.goship.com/) that know how to deal with these price fluctuations.

## How to choose an FTL carrier? 

Aside from considering pricing, there are quite a bit of factors you need to consider before choosing the right FLT carrier. Make sure you go over these aspects to find the perfect match:  

### Great Track Record 

Never underestimate the power of reviews! Always check what customers have to say about how well a freight company fares with delivering product on time and intact. 

### Safety Standards 

FTL trucks will carry extremely heavy loads, most likely of very high-value goods. Ensure that the freight company you choose has robust trucks that have gone through complete safety checks and comply with all regulations. 

### Transit Time Considerations 

FTL shipments deal with highly time-sensitive deliveries.  Make sure to check if the carrier is for long-haul services or regional purposes. The former will generally take longer. 

### Real-time tracking 

Opt for FTL carriers that offer real-time [online tracking](https://www.goship.com/blog/3-reasons-shipment-tracking-matters/) to be updated on the location, condition, and projected arrival date. 

### Liability Insurance 

In case of damage, freight won’t typically cover the [damages](https://www.goship.com/blog/freight-damage-how-to-file-a-freight-claim/) of your cargo. Ensure that the FTL carrier’s [liability insurance](https://www.goship.com/blog/freight-liability-vs-freight-insurance/) is up to date and gives fair coverage of your declared value. 

### Flexible Industry Solutions 

Going for an FTL carrier that provides flexible solutions to different business sizes and industries ensures the company’s adaptability to changing client needs.  Services that are worth looking into include consolidation, customs clearance, and convoy routing. By checking the add-on services your FTL carrier provides, businesses can cut down on delivery expenses. 

### Transportation Management and Supply Chain Technologies 

FTL shipments deals are part of a highly complex supply chain and logistics. Reliable FTL carriers will have the technology to ensure efficient supply chain and transportation management systems and solutions.  This may include specialized shipping options, drayage, intermodal, exceptional customer support, and innovative dry vans and climate-controlled units. 

## FTL Solutions with GoShip.com 

At [GoShip.com](https://www.goship.com/), we work with leading freight carriers in the US.  For our services, we provide full truckload (FTL) shipment quotes automatically for the best carrier price available, so our shippers won’t have to worry about all the factors that go into choosing an FTL carrier.   

When getting an [FTL carrier quote](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/truckload-freight-shipping/) on the GoShip.com digital platform, clients are immediately provided the most cost-efficient and reliable FTL services by our freight partners. Booking is easy, there’s no need to get involved with a freight broker. Click the button below to get a free FTL quote!

Suppliers can rest assured that full truckload shipments will entail less handling and higher security. It is essential to choose the best full truckload freight carrier.

How to Choose the Best Full Truckload Freight Carrier?

When it comes to planning your shipping budget, it’s easy to get confused over the principles of transportation pricing. Let us make it easier for you and help you decide on the best shipping rate.



# What are the freight pricing options?



Due to the versatility of the freight shipping market, your transportation needs may often vary. Besides modifying the critical points of logistics planning, it also affects the approach to the pricing of shipping services. Your financial decisions form a network of potential carriers to work with and give a clear idea of your budget management.



Along with the rapid development of logistics industry innovations, shipping affordability remains a challenge for most businesses. Many retailers come up with the question of the optimal freight pricing model to ensure financial profits and avoid unwanted expenses. If you want your supply chain to stay cost-effective yet save quality delivery performance, it’s essential to understand the principles of contract and spot rates.



## What are contract rates?



**Contract rates** type offers fixed pricing for transit services based on estimated freight volume and the cost the carrier sets per mile. By agreeing to ship your goods at a contract rate, you fix the price for delivering your goods on a particular route during a set period, typically a year. Such an option allows you to [plan your company budget](https://www.goship.com/posts/3-tips-for-transportation-budgeting-in-2022) for longer time intervals and accord the freight amounts with the carriers’ regular capacity.



Using contract rates is beneficial if you want to maintain your shipping consistency and get some predictability of your logistics operations costs. It can help you create a standard pricing procedure for moving your items, eliminating the need to dig into every shipment’s organization. 

Also, the carriers who offer contract rates are more likely to become your long-term partners and provide you with better access to their capacity. 



## What are spot rates?



**Spot rates** represent short-term pricing offers for uncovered or spontaneous shipments. If you need to deliver the goods due to the customer's request but your regular carrier can’t provide the required capacity at the moment, getting a spot rate is a solution. Besides, spot rate carriers can handle your last-minute shipments and are suitable for taking occasional routes.



Spot rates can help you effectively react to the supply and demand shifts and arrange shipments on the spot when needed. It is particularly beneficial during the [peak moving season](https://www.goship.com/posts/preparing-for-peak-season-shipping) when many orders emerge unexpectedly, and you cannot predict the demand with high accuracy. Sometimes, seasonal goods that don’t withstand long preservation can quickly reach consumers thanks to the spot market.



## How to choose a suitable freight pricing type?



To determine a suitable freight pricing option, retailers need to consider the nature of their supply chain operations. It primarily depends on the popularity of your products which identifies how frequently and how much you ship. Also, it’s vital to take into account market fluctuations and correlate them with your future business goals.



### Determine your shipping volumes and routes



Freight volume consistency is the number one factor influencing your pricing choice. Verify that you observe a stable demand throughout the year. Evaluating your usual transportation routes will help you see if you can trace a fixed scheme of your supply chain operations. It will prompt you to rely on the contact rates system. Thus, you’ll feel more confident about getting the required transport capacity without significant [price changes](https://www.goship.com/posts/the-effects-of-inflation-on-small-businesses).



However, your sales can be conditional on seasonality, meaning you don’t always need the same shipping capacity. Consider cooperating with carriers on spot rates if your business is rather dynamic. This market-regulated pricing gives you more freedom to deliver to various locations, even with lower supply. You can view spot rates as an opportunity to fill the gaps in customer demand. Whenever you experience a demand outbreak, you can book a shipment right away.



### Analyze relationships with suppliers



[The shipper/supplier relationships](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-build-strong-business-relationships-with-a-supplier) contribute to your financial decisions regarding transportation. The supply process runs smoothly with solid connections and allows you to better plan production or distribution. By keeping in touch with your vendor, you’ll be able to evaluate the freight volumes and verify all products are ready for shipment on time. Therefore, carriers will be more likely to agree on a contract rate with your company.



Being on good terms with your supplier can also prioritize your orders in situations of growing customer demand, particularly when unexpected. When it’s possible to stock materials and goods timely in case of emergency, you can proactively organize shipments on spot rates. In addition, an established partnership with the vendor can help you dodge common stock issues and prevent the shortage or surplus of the products.



### Keep your supply chain flexible



There’s no doubt that every business aims to develop a consistent supply chain and collaborate with trusted carrier services. If dedicated shipping experience means a lot to you, it’s reasonable to apply [demand forecasting](https://www.goship.com/posts/demand-forecasting-in-logistics-how-to-increase-your-supply-chain-income) and try to predict the order amounts in advance. It is how you’ll be able to start early planning activities and prepare for the following shipping season.



Sometimes, retailers refuse hot shipments due to their attachment to the contract rates functionality. However, you don’t need to exclude a freight pricing option when there’s a great chance to deliver your products to more customers or reach the new buyers' audience. Spot rates effectively expand the consumers’ circle, so your main task is to tailor the rate choice depending on the shipment details.



GoShip can connect you to many professional carriers ready to deliver your goods at contract and spot rates. Enter the shipment information into our system, compare the real-time shipping prices, and [get a free quote](https://www.goship.com/) today!

Explore the main freight shipping pricing strategies and start delivering your goods at the best rates.

Contract Rates vs. Spot Rates: Freight Shipping Pricing Strategies

## Why is LTL freight shipping so expensive in 2022?  

Because of the pandemic, e-commerce is at an all-time high, but so are LTL shipping costs. If you’re a business owner in 2022, then you’ve most likely stared in disbelief at the cost of transporting your less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments from one place to the other. Several factors have contributed to LTL freight cost increases in 2022, and unfortunately, there is no quick-fix solution.  

### Shortage of truck drivers  

Truck drivers quite literally drive the supply chain for every industry. However, the American Trucking Associate estimates a [shortage of 160,000 truck drivers by 2030](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2022/01/12/there-is-a-massive-trucker-shortage-causing-supply-chain-disruptions-and-high-inflation/?sh=2cca58d85ec4). With fewer drivers available to move freight in 2022, trucking companies have no choice but to increase wages to attract qualified drivers. Companies must transfer the extra costs of paying drivers to their customers to retain profit margins, thus increasing their shipping costs.   

### Fuel costs  

Rising fuel prices increase the operating costs of freight companies, forcing them to increase their shipping rates or suffer some losses. Besides the effect of fuel prices, the peculiarities of LTL shipping can cause a hike in the overall fuel consumption of shipping companies. In full truckload (FTL) shipping, the entire trailer-load belongs to a single customer; the truck is loaded up with the shipment and driven directly to the destination without any pick-ups or drop-offs along the way. On the other hand, LTL shipping involves making several detours before getting to the final destination. These detours increase fuel consumption which, in turn, leads to an increase in LTL freight shipping costs.   

### COVID-19 pandemic   

Much like every other industry, the shipping industry is still struggling to recover from the effects of the pandemic. Lockdowns, movement restrictions, and reduced employee availability disrupted supply chains worldwide, causing delayed shipments and increased freight rates. Since the pandemic also caused a shift to online shopping in the general populace, the increased demand for deliveries led to higher LTL shipping rates.   

## Why do carriers not always pick up on time?   

Unfortunately, late pick-ups are very common in LTL shipping. Although trucking companies can plan and track their routes, there is no telling the kind of situation truck drivers will encounter on the road. Here are some common reasons shipment carriers do not always pick up on time:  

### Traffic and road construction  

Even with route mapping and GPS, traffic and road construction is not entirely avoidable. Accidents and poor weather conditions are just two unpredictable causes of traffic. If the truck assigned to carry your shipment gets stuck in traffic, you can expect that your pick-up will be delayed.   

### Human errors   

Humans are fallible and, thus, prone to errors. For example, misspelling your pick-up address or filling in the wrong zip codes can make it difficult for a carrier to find your pick-up location on time. Be sure to double-check the paperwork attached to your load before submitting it to a carrier.  

### Mechanical problems  

While good trucking companies do their best to maintain their vehicles, mechanical difficulties may still occur from time to time. When a delivery truck develops a fault along its route, expect pick-ups to arrive later than usual.   

### Other customers  

Since the business model of LTL shipping involves picking up and delivering shipments for several customers, a problem with one customer can cause a delay in the pick-up of other freights. For example, a carrier may not pick up your shipment on time because another customer spent too much time loading their shipment into the truck.   

## Expectations vs. Reality   

Expectations do not always meet reality, and there are several situations where this statement rings true for LTL shipping. Plan ahead, but recognize that problems may arise and be flexible.  

### Expectation: Pick-up and delivery times are guaranteed  

Reality: Pick-up and delivery times for LTL shipping are not as clear-cut as you’d expect; they are merely estimations. Since LTL carriers service many customers at once, providing a down-to-the-minute time prediction is tedious, if not impossible.   

### Expectation: The paperwork does not need much attention   

Reality: One of the primary causes of missed pick-ups and deliveries in LTL shipping is incorrect documentation. When filling in the paperwork for your shipment, ensure that you provide the correct information. The information in your paperwork determines your shipping rate and the amount of care your shipment will receive during transit.   

### Expectation: LTL shipping is cheaper than full truckload shipping   

Reality: Since LTL freight shipping allows you to ship materials without paying for a full truckload, many assume that LTL shipping is low-priced compared to full truckload shipping. The truth, however, is that LTL shipping is more expensive on a per unit, per mile basis. If you have enough product to fill an entire truckload, ship FTL.  

## GoShip is Here to Help   

With the current surge in LTL shipping rates, gunning for LTL freight cost-effectiveness in 2022 may seem like a daunting task.   

Freight shipping marketplaces like GoShip help small to mid-sized businesses solve their shipping problems by connecting them to a large base of reliable carriers. Our [online quotation tool](https://quotes.goship.com/booking/request-quote) gives you free instant quotes based on the type of truckload, pick up and delivery locations, and pick up time.  

[Sign up for free](https://quotes.goship.com/sign-up) on GoShip.com today to get started.

Because of an increase in LTL shipping rates and inconsistent delivery schedules, it is more important than ever to be aware of your freight. You may have some prior beliefs about shipping LTL freight, but are they true?  

Cost-Effective LTL Shipping: Expectations vs. Reality

Whether you are moving cross country, planning a relocation, or just selling a piece of furniture, shipping can be challenging. Shipping furniture seems like a simple process at first, however, it can be complicated or too expensive. 

You want your items to be protected so that they reach the destination safely. A major concern when choosing a shipping partner is how much does it cost to ship furniture, and that’s why shippers seek affordable, reliable furniture shipping platforms.

## **How much does it cost to ship furniture?**

To get the most realistic, accurate quote, you have to provide correct information. For example, don’t fill in uncertain or estimated measurements. Every extra inch and pound will add up to the final rate. Another way to get lower shipping rates is to make your shipment easier to stack. Proper packaging, or even [palletizing,](https://www.goship.com/blog/palletizing-ltl-freight-everything-you-need-to-know/) will let you avoid accessorial charges. 

There are special moving and white gloves services, but for extra services, you have to pay extra fees. The destination affects the shipping price as well. Obviously, if you want to send items one state over, it will cost less than moving from coast to coast. It’s also important to accurately provide your address and destination address because sometimes the location you’re shipping from can be considered as [limited access](https://www.goship.com/blog/limited-access-shipping-location/). 

Overall, it’s impossible to say how much furniture shipping generally costs. Furniture type, your carrier, destination, weight, and dimensions play a crucial role in defining the accurate price.

## **What is the best way to ship furniture?**

If you’re moving or shipping large items for the first time, you’ve probably thought about doing it yourself. Honestly, it’s not a good idea. Do-It-Yourself transportation is not only stressful and time-consuming but can end up being [more expensive](https://www.lifestorage.com/blog/moving/is-it-cheaper-to-ship-furniture-or-buy-new/) and cause more damages than any other option. The second option that comes on top of mind is regular postal services like UPS or FedEx. 

These companies specialize in parcel delivery, and your furniture items may be considered as freight. This means you will pay much more because of the shipment weight, dimensions, and volume.

## **How do you ship furniture across the country?**

Ultimately, you want to find a balanced option to match your needs. There are different shipping platforms that can move your furniture for a fair price. 

Services like GoShip.com ship through [less-than-truckload freight transportation](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-is-less-than-truckload-shipping-and-how-can-it-benefit-you/), which lets you pay only for the truck space you actually use. These shipping services provide you with shipping quotes with approximate prices, based on shipment dimensions and weight.

## **How to get an accurate freight quote?**

There is a fast and easy way to get realistic freight rates with shipping platforms like GoShip.com. We provide a free online shipping estimate. All you have to do is fill in the basic information, and voila - compare the rates from available carriers! **[Get Quote](https://www.goship.com/) right now!**

Whether you are furnisihing your house or office, planning a relocation, or just selling fitting pieces, shipping furniture cross country can appear quite challenging.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship Furniture Cross Country?

A shipping strategy is not as high of a priority for small business owners as it should be. However, you will rethink everything whenever it starts hindering your sales flow and affecting customer retention. Shipping is a connecting link between a merchant and the customer, and what arrives on the customer’s end is extremely important. Apart from shipping speed and cost, the overall shipping experience matters. Shipping for small businesses is not limited to just [cutting costs](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219912), either. Creating a working and suitable shipping strategy is key to satisfying your customers and boosting your business performance.

How do you create a small business shipping strategy?
-----------------------------------------------------

### Go omnichannel

If you are just starting a business, or don’t have a large budget, you can partly relieve your shipping costs and increase sales by selling on multiple channels. The logic behind this practice is quite simple. The more channels you occupy, the more you sell. If you sell in giant marketplaces, they already have a shipping policy, so you just have to worry about the stock, inventory, and packing. Selling only on retail platforms is not the right solution for every business. You should definitely have your own personally unique shipping strategy.

### Use shipping technology

It’s impossible these days to run a business without using any sort of technology. There are plenty of solutions for shipping software, or small business customer management systems, which let you integrate other services and tools you are using for shipping. With good software, you can keep all the orders, shipments and [returns](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-increase-customer-loyalty-through-returns) in one place, and efficiently analyze and monitor all processes. Through a tech tool, you can define gaps or weak spots in your supply chain and effectively eliminate the disruptions.

### Utilize a shipping platform

Shipping stuff on your own will most likely be time consuming and expensive. If you ship large items, parcel services will often charge you for extra weight or dimensions. Having multiple carriers available to use or using a reliable shipping platform can make your shipping performance better. Shipping services let you compare freight rates from different carriers at a glance and choose from a huge variety of carriers instead of spending tons of time building your own network. They also let you track every shipment in real-time and often help with documentation. Having a reliable [shipping partner](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/ltl-freight-shipping) is crucial for a successful shipping strategy.


You can upgrade your small business shipping operations by choosing an appropriate shipping strategy.

Small Business Shipping: How to Choose the Best Strategy

Over the last few years, the e-commerce sector in the U.S. and globally has experienced significant growth. Overall, global e-commerce sales are [estimated to reach $1 trillion](https://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/advisor/post/121605721332/a-report-from-accenture-and-alibaba-groups-aliresearch) in 2020. With more customers shifting from physical shopping trips to online purchasing, there are plenty of opportunities for both small businesses and individual shippers to succeed in cross border e-commerce.  Additionally, considering [tensions between the U.S. and China](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45899310) and growing import taxes, customers will be more interested in trade between other countries, and in local shopping as well. Selling cross border is a new level, so you need a polished strategy to successfully enter the mature market of U.S. e-commerce. Whether you are a business selling directly to customers, or a merchant using platforms like eBay or Amazon, there are nuances in online commerce that you need to know.

Starting cross border e-commerce: key things to know
----------------------------------------------------

### Adjustment to the audience

No matter what product you will be selling, going for the wrong audience won’t take you far in the tight market of e-commerce. Make sure to capture your customer’s attention, thinking of everything from marketplace and ads to marketing strategy. Essentially, the next step is maintaining attention and acquiring new customers. That’s why all of your operational processes should be thought out in advance to provide a good shopping experience. From order fulfillment to shipping, make sure that everything works perfectly. 

### Customs and taxes 

The hardest part of starting cross border e-commerce is adjusting to another country’s regulations. Understanding the customs and tax system is a crucial step to successfully enter the international market. Working with a [customs broker](https://www.goship.com/blog/what-does-customs-broker-do-and-do-you-need-one/) would be beneficial to handle the nuances and intricacies of international shipping. One of the easiest and closest markets for U.S. merchants is the Canadian market, which has its [own regulations and rules](https://www.goship.com/blog/shipping-to-canada-from-the-us/).  

### Returns and customer service

Working with reverse logistics can be especially challenging for small businesses and individual shippers. However, the value of good customer experience is extremely high, and will help define whether the customer will buy from you again. That’s why providing fast and helpful customer support along with easy return options will secure you more chances to retain customers. 

Cross Border Shipping with GoShip.com
-------------------------------------

Whether you need to ship LTL or a full truckload, we ship to Canada! Expand your business with GoShip.com’s [**cross border shipping**](https://www.goship.com/shipping-services/international-shipping) services.


eCommerce is constantly expanding the scales of online purchasing and cross-border trade. This creates a perfect opportunity to start shipping abroad.

Exploring Cross-Border eCommerce: Everything You Need To Know

## What is freight damage? 

Damaged freight can affect your customer's perception of your brand and ultimately, your profits. While many business owners are aware of the negative effects of damaged goods and packages, many still struggle to understand what freight damage is, how it occurs, and how to mitigate risks. In this guide, we will give you the tools you need to better your shipping strategy.  

Freight damage is any partial or total physical damage to goods during the shipment process. Imagine the long journey your package has gone to reach your doorstep. There are many different parties that handle the shipment process up to the point when it reaches the final destination. Your customers and partners might not receive the package in the same state you sent them!  Parties involved in physically handling cargo include:

* Supplier and factories
* Local trucker or delivery
* Origin and arrival port staff
* Customs or warehouse staff

Receiving damaged freight requires complicated paperwork, so you will want to eliminate any chances of your products arriving in a damaged state. The course of action you need to take will ultimately depend on the type of damage that affects your shipments.

## What are the types of freight damage? 

### Physical Damage

Packages that have obviously been dented or cracked due to physical mishandling. This also applies when the cargo itself damages other shipments. The packages that are the most vulnerable to physical damage are made through sea freight, especially during strong typhoons and through rougher seas. Besides dropped or dented goods, shipments can also be damaged due to poorly planned stowage.

### Water Damage

The most common way freight can be subjected to water damage is when shipping using open, flatbed trailers that are not covered and do not protect from bad weather.  There are other ways freight can be damaged by water, regardless of the transportation method. For example, changes in climatic zones and moisture content result in [container rain](https://epgna.com/causes-container-rain/). Water damage is also inevitable when improper or damaged sealing gaskets and containers are used in shipments. 

### Reefer-related Damage

Refrigerated containers and reefers are used to preserve the freshness of agricultural goods during the shipment. In an ideal situation, reefers maintain a controlled environment to avoid over-ripening or degrading the products. Some signs of reefer damage include shriveling, discoloration, and bruising. Specific causes include:

* Cargo is packed and shipped despite premature harvesting
* Improper stowage and poor air circulation
* Improper setting of temperature
* Insufficient pre-cooling

### Infestation and contamination

Your shipment may be polluted or contaminated with substances that make cargo unsuitable for use or consumption. Contamination may occur in conjunction with an infestation of pests and rodents as products can pick up odors, parasites, and microbes.

## How can businesses deal with damaged freight? (Step-by-step guide)

Dealing with an angry customer who threatens to give you one-star reviews due to freight damage can be overwhelming. As a responsible business owner, the next course of action is to ultimately guide your customers to get a refund on shipping fees.

### Step 1: Ask your customers to accept the damaged goods 

Assure your customers that accepting the damaged freight will be better than washing their hands of the situation completely. Turning away the package will cost them more in the long run due to storage and processing fees.   Depending on your discretion and refund policy, you might want to assure your customers of replacing the product or giving a full refund. 

### Step 2: Document the damages

Once your customer has received the package, ask them to document any shortages and damages. They may take note of these on the documents provided by the carrier, such as the Bill of Lading (BOL) or the proof of delivery (POD).

### Step 3: File Freight Claims immediately

If the contents are damaged, it will be a good idea to file a claim. Claims are possible to win, especially when issues are documented and noted immediately. BOL are legitimately used as proof of damage, so fill it out immediately and contact the claims department for the additional paperwork. Assist your customer or business partner on these matters – the sooner you file a claim, the faster it will be resolved.

### Step 4: Keep the damaged freight and packaging

Carriers have the right to inspect freight damage claims in person. Failing to provide proof could mean that the claim will not be paid in full, or it can be denied outright. Remind your customers to keep any evidence of damaged package contents to avoid any complications.

### Step 5: Keep copies of invoices and receipts

Ask your customers or partners to send you copies of all documentation and evidence secure in a folder to strengthen freight claims:

* Bill of Lading
* Paid freight bill
* Paid invoice for damaged goods
* Packing slip
* Claim form or letter identifying shipment and claim amount
* Photos of damage

### No Use Crying Over Spilled Milk

Nobody likes dealing with missing or damaged cargo. These occasions are unavoidable as shipments circumnavigate the globe and brave extreme weather along the journey. Damaged freight is the last thing businesses want to deal with. But for a growing business, it is necessary to guide your customers and partners every step of the way. Follow our guide to deal with damaged freight seamlessly. [](https://www.goship.com/)

The risks of freight damage are possible at all times. Learn how to deal with damaged freight to avoid big losses.

How to Deal with Damaged Freight: Freight Damage Types

If modern Cupid had to be embodied, physically, it would look like one of the world's global supply chain networks. Today, especially amidst the global pandemic, it's hard to deliver love without logistics. Flowers, cards, and chocolates are the first thing you might associate with the holiday of love. Ironically, delivering these signs of warm feelings requires planning a very robust cold supply chain to maintain the products' condition.   [](https://www.goship.com/)

## Valentine's Day in Numbers

According to estimates, spending on Valentine’s Day is going to hit record heights this year as retailers ramp up digitalization. In the UK, for example, retailers estimate a [26% increase in sales](https://internetretailing.net/peak/peak/uks-valentines-day-spend-to-grow-26-this-year-as-retailers-up-their-online-capabilities-in-readiness-22688) in 2021 compared to the previous year. Let's look at some Valentine's Day numbers to better understand how global it is, and how hard people involved with logistics work to deliver love in the form of a fresh bouquet or a chocolate box:

* 95 million flowers (around 3000 tons) [are transported](https://www.supplychaindigital.com/logistics-1/ups-transport-valentines-gifts-love) from Latin America to the US by UPS alone
* [More than 90% of flowers](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2021/02/08/why-this-valentines-day-needs-a-warm-heart-and-a-cold-chain/?sh=698d9d2d2677) going to the US go through the Miami Airport
* 500 billion Valentine's Day roses [were imported](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/you-cant-say-i-love-you-without-logistics) into the US in 2020
* Flower temperature storage is 2-4 Celsius
* Chocolate temperature storage is 10-18 Celsius

Essentially, sustaining the demand for Valentine's gifts requires enormous refrigerated capacity and top-notch planning. Retailers, suppliers, manufacturers, and logisticians do a great job every year to provide us with the cards, gifts, and flowers we give to our loved ones. 

Nearly 60% of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine’s  Day. In 2020, the [average amount spent](https://www.sdcexec.com/sourcing-procurement/press-release/21115563/valentines-day-spending-reaches-record-levels) on Valentine's gifts was $196. According to the [National Retail Federation](https://nrf.com/insights/holiday-and-seasonal-trends/valentines-day) states, the most popular gifts purchased on Valentine's Day are sweets (55%), cards (45.9%), and flowers (35.6%).  

## How does Valentine’s Day logistics work?

Three of the top gifts can only be shipped through refrigerated trailers. The demand for temperature-controlled equipment is on the rise. It is extremely important to keep the products in proper conditions and maintain a certain temperature. For example, roses need to be kept at 35 degrees (F) through the entire transit, and upon arrival as well. 

Both chocolates and flowers have to remain in excellent condition. The items that are going to be sold as gifts have to be highly attractive, as there is no room for mistakes when it comes to expressing love. The emotional context of these products puts high pressure on the retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers. 

For more specific gifts, delivery time also plays a crucial role in [customer experience](https://www.goship.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-customers-experience-through-shipping/). Any delayed, canceled, or damaged orders bring extra frustration to the customer and this error will most likely cost you a customer’s loyalty. Ultimately, getting roses and candies moved to the warehouse facility is not the end of the journey. After this step in the process, products go to retailers’ facilities from which they are shipped to the local shops or transported directly to the customers. 

The supply chain of Valentine’s Day gifts is very long and complicated. That’s why having a good shipping service or logistics provider is essential to the proper planning and operational execution of such shipments. At the end of the day, it’s logistics and retail companies that supply us with high-quality gifts for our loved ones on-time. It’s not just the delivery of sweets or flowers, it’s the delivery of an entire experience.   [](https://www.goship.com/)

Being a part of holiday shipping, Valentine's day logistics can be really intense and requires thorough preparation. 

Shipping on Valentine's: How Does Valentine's Day Logistics Work?

A successful business is unlikely without studying your audience. When demand forecasting steps into the game, it allows retailers to meet their customers’ needs.



# Why use demand forecasting in logistics?



Demand forecasting is a highly efficient tool for any business type. When it comes to supply chain and logistics, analyzing customers’ preferences can set the tone for your transportation volumes and sales growth. So, what are the most significant advantages of demand forecasting in logistics?



* **Stock issues avoidance.** Being well-aware of the market demand, you’ll upgrade inventory management and escape [stock issues](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-optimize-order-fulfillment-to-avoid-overstocking-and-understocking). Retailers who don’t practice demand forecasting are more prone to experience over- and understocking, which inevitably leads to money losses.
* **Accurate supply volumes and budgeting.** The forecasting results shape your supply ordering, so you [plan your budget](https://www.goship.com/posts/3-tips-for-transportation-budgeting-in-2022) better and don’t overpay for items your customers are not likely to buy. You can invest saved costs into more wanted products or launch a new line.
* **Personalization of customer experience.** According to statistics, about [80% of customers](https://www.business2community.com/consumer-marketing/consumers-are-looking-for-personalized-experiences-is-your-brand-delivering-02397549#:~:text=80%25%20of%20consumers%20are%20more,brand%20that%20provides%20personalized%20experiences.) prioritize personalized service when purchasing. You’ll get to know your target audience better and tailor your product offers to meet its needs by demand forecasting.



## How to implement demand forecasting in your supply chain?



The demand predicting execution can seem challenging due to its complexity. Often, retailers seek to get quick results, thus overlooking essential parts of the process. If you want to get into the details of your target audience’s preferences, try splitting your main task into smaller ones to generate a step-by-step demand forecasting structure. 

### Determine the forecasting goal



Forecasting operations typically aim to examine and evaluate customers’ purchasing patterns and habits. However, your goals may vary depending on the business specifics and potentially problematic areas of your strategy. Besides learning about the customers' tastes, you may want to find other factors that impact the buyers’ choices. For instance, if you’re a successful eCommerce retailer, you may want to know how to draw more customers by boosting your website. Or, you possibly want to figure out why your product isn’t relevant for all age categories of buyers.



Figuring out your goals determines the research timeframe and methods you’d use to gather and analyze information. The quantitative method relies on already existing sales data and previous demand tests. By delving into earlier financial reports and exploring how the purchase dynamics have changed over time, you’ll be able to foresee future demand fluctuations. If launching a qualitative forecasting method, it’s vital to assess the market updates that influence the popularity of your product (i. e. the change in prices or [technological advances](https://www.goship.com/posts/latest-technological-innovations-in-the-logistics-industry)).

### Collect the data



To make your demand forecasting fruitful, try to collect sufficient information. It’s essential to track your customers’ likes and what prevents them from purchasing. It will help you improve your product line to the extent that most buyers would appreciate. You can delve into promotion methods and platforms that bring your business the most attention and encourage purchasing.

If you want your forecast to be complete, consider using different channels to browse and collect data. Since both internal and external factors affect customer demand, it is reasonable to research analytics from inside and outside of your company. Consult your sales employees or review the financial reports to get valuable insights into buyers' purchasing behavior. The data from external sources can be collected through customer surveys or investigating the market.

### Analyze received data

After collecting the necessary data, you’ll see a clear picture of the products to bet on in the future. Besides, you’ll learn what components of your goods can make your customers regular. Maybe, they value the high-quality product packaging? Or perhaps, they’re attracted to your affordable pricing? Are they satisfied with your [customer support service](https://www.goship.com/posts/how-to-improve-your-customer-service-tips-for-business-owners)? In the end, do you manage to deliver your items undamaged and on time? Demand forecasting analysis will provide answers to many questions so that you can streamline the entire supply chain.

### Use the results for improvements



Now that you have conducted the big data analysis, it’s time to identify the best way to benefit from your results. Ideally, you have to spot the differences between customers’ reactions to your products. It will suggest what items are more beneficial for your income and what ones you can rebrand, replace, or remove. Contact your supplier to share the insights and discuss what product adjustments you can make together. Besides, you may want to work on improving your website experience to make online purchases more appealing to your target audience.

The forecasting outcomes also show how the customer demand varies during [different seasons](https://www.goship.com/posts/what-are-the-four-freight-shipping-seasons). It gives you a clue to adjust logistics operations accordingly and practice early shipment planning. For instance, if you know the buyers will be ordering a particular product at a specific time, you can optimize the supply chain to ship the items with no delays and interruptions later. Given the benefit of additional time for preparation, you’ll have better and cheaper choices of shipping services. GoShip is a perfect online platform for managing your early bookings and comparing shipping rates. Try our interactive [free quote tool](https://www.goship.com/) to see the real-time transportation prices and connect with many professional carriers.

Demand forecasting is one of the critical points of an advanced supply chain. Find out the best ways to implement demand forecasting in your logistics strategy.

Demand Forecasting in Logistics: How to Increase Your Supply Chain Income?

high density warehouse filled with boxes for LTL shipping

Freight pricing is changing to be more focused on freight density instead of weight. This change is occurring because of the growing popularity of e-commerce and the driver shortage. Carriers that are still charging shippers based only on their products' weight are losing a ton of space and money. Here at **[GoShi](https://goship.com)p**, we want to make sure you are never on the losing end of this process. Today we will review exactly what freight density is, and how it will affect both LTL shippers and carriers.   

# **What is freight density?** 

Freight density is the space an item occupies in relation to its weight. This is determined by dividing the weight of the item in pounds by the volume in cubic feet.  You find the total cubic feet by taking height x width x depth and diving that number by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot). After determining the density, you can figure out the [freight class](https://www.goship.com/posts/blog-everything-you-need-to-know-about-ltl-freight-class), which is important when shipping LTL freight. It could be stated that density is the most important element when determining the class of a shipment, as it sets the range for classification. 

## **How does density affect LTL shippers?** 

Freight classes are designed to help form common standard freight pricing for shipments. Freight classes are defined by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) and are based on weight, length and height, density, ease of handling, value, and liability from things like theft, damage, breakability, and spoilage. There are a total of 18 freight classes, ranging from 50 to 500. Generally, the higher the freight class, the more it will cost you to ship. 

## **How does density affect LTL carriers?** 

Freight density is not only a significant factor to consider for shippers, but also for carriers. For LTL carriers, the main factors that determine freight cost are P&D and dock, since the distance traveled is typically short. While freight density is important to LTL carriers, it is not viewed as crucial. Nevertheless, nationwide LTL carriers view freight density from a different perspective. Because they have much longer routes, LTL carriers are constantly looking to maximize cube utilization and need to have accurate densities to do so. For these carriers, wasted space on the truck is exactly the same as throwing money out the window.   If you want to learn more about LTL freight density or have other questions about your LTL shipment, contact **[GoShip](https://goship.com)** today!

The freight density is often confused with cargo weight, which leads to a limited capacity for your shipment. 