How freight brokers help with small business shipping

What is a freight broker?

Also known as a freight service provider or freight shipping company, a freight broker is a third-party company that helps a shipper find carriers who can transport their goods from one place to another. A freight broker works directly with carriers to negotiate rates for shippers.

Think of using a freight broker like some of the services you may have used to book travel: you enter the destination and the dates you want to travel on a website, then you can compare rates for different airfare and hotel options. Freight brokers allow you to compare services for your shipment in a similar way.

While the freight broker does not actually move or take ownership of your freight, they will negotiate rates, facilitate booking, and they often offer tracking. If something goes wrong with your shipment, a freight broker can also communicate with the carrier on your behalf to resolve issues.

How can a freight broker help your business?

The ins and outs of freight shipping can be complex. With many options, it can be hard to know which to choose. Larger corporations often have the advantage of a shipping and logistics department to optimize the processes. A freight broker uses their experience and insight to give businesses of any size that same advantage.

Cut down on shipping expenses

One of the main benefits of working with a freight broker is cost savings. They are able to secure competitive rates because brokers are consolidating volume when negotiating, then passing those savings on to you.

Save time with a freight broker

A freight broker can also help shippers save time. Calling and emailing multiple carriers for quotes, waiting for responses, then comparing those quotes: it all takes time. Time that takes you away from your core business activities. Freight brokers offer multiple quotes at one time, so you can quickly compare, choose the carrier quote that meets your needs, and move on with your day.

Creating BOL’s and tracking shipments also help to streamline and simplify the shipment process. These freight brokerage services are ideal for businesses who don’t have shipping managers or other staff who are able to manage the whole process, or for those who simply don’t want to manage the process in-house.

Freight brokers ensure access to reliable transportation

Capacity is another benefit of working with a freight broker. They have relationships with many carriers, allowing them to find coverage for the shipment lanes you need, when you need it. Working with a freight broker is especially beneficial when shipping during peak season or taking care of a large number of shipments in short period of time.

How do I find a freight broker near me?

When it comes to choosing a freight broker, focus on qualifications over location. You don’t need to work with a freight broker in your area to get all the benefits. A few things to keep in mind when searching for a freight broker are:

• Experience and longevity—Before you entrust your freight with a broker, make sure you do your research. You want someone established, with a track record of delivering for their customers.
• Feedback—Speaking of customers, you’ll want to know what others have to say about a potential broker. Take time to read reviews on their website and social media and on independent review platforms.
• Price—Make sure they offer the competitive rates you’re looking for to positively impact your bottom line.
• Ease of use—You’ll also want to make sure the platform is intuitive and easy to use. You’ll lose out on valuable time savings if you’re battling with a difficult website or need to talk with a representative every time you want to book a shipment.
• Service offerings—Always check that a potential broker offers the services that matter to your business, whether that’s LTL or Shipping to Amazon.
• High quality, vetted carriers—This is important, given the broker will not actually take possession of your freight. Make sure the carriers they choose on your behalf are reliable.

Why choose Freightquote as your freight broker

With Freightquote, you have everything you need at your fingertips to make shipping easy. As part of C.H. Robinson, Freightquote leverages large shipment volumes, resulting in better rates than small businesses might be able to secure based on their own volume. And our LTL rates are backed by our Lowest Price Guarantee so you can book with confidence, with no haggling or hassle.

Freightquote’s easy to use online tool lets you compare multiple carrier quotes instantly, with no sign up required. No back-and-forth phone calls or emails needed. You get access to the largest carrier network in North America, making sure your shipments are covered, and you can quote and book 24/7, when it’s convenient for you.

Take advantage of a wealth of expertise that makes your job easier, including automatic freight class calculations, BOL creation, and downloadable pallet labels. With many high quality, vetted carriers available, our online tool helps you decide which quote to choose. You can sort quotes by best value, lowest price, quickest delivery, or carrier rating. If you still have questions, it’s easy to chat with our freight shipping experts to get them answered.

If you need Shipper’s interest insurance, it can easily be added to your LTL shipment at booking, giving you a simple, one-stop solution for booking and securing high-value shipments. You can also get proactive tracking updates and view all your shipments in one dashboard, making it easy to track your shipments from point A to B. And if you have an issue or a change to your shipment, Freightquote has you covered with freight shipping experts who help you get it done.

Ready to work with a freight broker?

If you’ve decided your business is ready to benefit from working with a freight broker, make sure you find the one that’s right for you. With National Small Business Week right around the corner, celebrated this year from April 28 - May 4, small businesses are in the spotlight. Freightquote is proud to support small business, keeping your goods moving so your business can continue to grow.

Book your next shipment and how easy shipping can be.