Whether you have freight that needs to be shipped, a truck you need to get out on the road, or you’re a freight broker who needs to connect the two, more and more people are turning to load boards to get the job done. But are they really all they’re chalked up to be?
The Good
They’re easy to use.
If you’re using a good load board, everything you need will be in a simple, clean table that appears on the front page of the site so you don’t have to go through unnecessary windows. It will have all of the pertinent information to help you find what you’re looking for in just a few clicks.
They’re inexpensive.
While there are free load boards, they don’t necessarily include relevant information needed before committing to move the load. The cost of paid load boards can be well over $100 a month. There are some are under $50 a month for a full subscription (Direct Freight Services is $34.95 a month).
They’re easy to access.
Web-based load boards can be accessed from any computer, phone, or tablet with internet access. They’re also available 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year (366 during leap years!) so your load search can work around your schedule.
They’re up-to-date
Load boards would fail if they posted old information, and whether you’re looking for a load or posting one, not having a load immediately accessible will cost you money. Direct Freight load boards are updated in real time so you’ll always get the most current information. No lines, no waiting!
Eliminates deadheading.
Deadheading is the term that refers to empty trucks returning home after they’ve dropped off freight. Unless there’s a return load, it’s just wasted fuel, wear-and-tear on the truck, and missed opportunity to earn money for the driver . Why drive empty? Once you’ve set up your outward-bound trip, you can search for nearby loads for your return route.
There are no costly software updates.
With web-based load boards, there’s no need to put load software on your computer. That means no more expensive software updates that tie up your computer while the update is being performed and no need to buy new software, ever.
You can see who you’re dealing with before you commit.
The better load boards like Direct Freight allow access to credit reports so you don’t take risks. The reports display any legal actions taken against the freight company or shipper, public filings, credit score, and the number of days it takes them to pay, on average.
The Bad
They’re competitive.
Most free load boards get their information from the same sources so there’s competition for the loads which drives down the price truckers can make. Paid load boards are less competitive.
You still have to do the work.
If you’re a shipper or trucker using a load board directly, you still have to search when you’re ready for or with your next load. Some load boards offer text or email alerts that let you know when what you’re looking for is available but you still have to do some amount, albeit small, of legwork.
You could become a victim of fraud.
With the rise of load boards, there’s been an increase in fraud. The fraud, double-brokering occurs when a freight broker uses the services of a secondary freight broker who sets up the deal but then absconds with the payment. This happens more often on free load boards.
The Ugly
We were kidding about that. There’s no ugly! Paid freight boards are an essential tool to save time for shippers, freight brokers, and truckers. They get freight shipped, connections made, and trucks on the road faster. Time is money! Even if you have regular contacts deals can fall through, product demand can fluctuate, or it may be time to expand your operation. A good load board can help you move forward without skipping a beat.
With 3,500+ companies posting 300,000+ loads daily, Direct Freight has everything you need to fill trucks and move freight. We’ve been serving the trucking industry since 1997 and our years of experience helps us continue to do so.. Shippers, freight brokers, and truckers alike know that with Direct Freight, they’ll get what they need.
Go to DirectFreight.com or call us at (888)894-4198 and start your 15-day free trial today!
Source: https://www.interstatecapital.com/fraud-in-trucking-industry/#