Small Business Shipping
Running a small business takes time and focus. Let FreightCenter take care of your small business shipping so you can take care of your business.
Managing freight shipping can take much time away from managing your business. Finding an affordable and trustworthy carrier takes time. Completing all the paperwork takes time. And then there is the time it takes to learn about freight shipping so you can handle it all internally and get it right. Why bother, when you can outsource your small business shipping to FreightCenter?
Just a Few of the Details We Can Handle for You
You can learn plenty about small business shipping on our website, or you can let us handle it for you. The choice is yours.
Below are three critical factors that need to be determined before you are ready to ship. Read as much about them as you’d like and turn it over to us as soon as you are ready.
We are your shipping experts and are happy to give you all the help you need.
Here’s How We’ll Help
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Provide a free quote tool so you can instantly compare shipping costs from trusted carriers
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Gather all the details from you to make sure we’ve got everything just right
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Book your shipment with the carrier you select at a heavily discounted rate and pass savings on to you
Handle all the paperwork, including paying the carrier
FreightCenter is where top freight carriers compete for your business, and our in-house shipping experts take care of the rest.
So, go back to working on your business. FreightCenter will take care of your shipping.
LTL or TL?
Depends. How big are we talking? Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight shipping is one of the most common freight designations and is often considered the most accessible, affordable, and efficient way to move bulky items quickly. Full truckload freight shipping (TL) is precisely what it sounds like, a shipment that requires an entire dedicated freight truck to ship it. There are no other shipments and no other stops.
If you’re shipping machinery like an engine, it won’t take up an entire trailer so you’re better off choosing LTL. If you’re looking for small business shipping something like 3 commercial lawn mowers though, you enter the arena where you may want to consider choosing TL. Any time your freight weighs more than 15,000 pounds or if you are shipping more than 10 pallets worth of goods, it makes sense to ship truckload. Consult with an agent when getting your free, instant freight quote to determine which option is right for you.
Less-than-truckload (LTL)
Refers to shipping an item that is relatively small and will not take up the entirety of the trailer. You pay for the amount of space you take up, not the entire truck.
Truckload (Tl)
You may need an entire truck if you are shipping a large enough load. This option requires a lot of freight to make it a more economical choice than LTL.
How to Find Your Freight Class
Freight rates are determined by several factors, including package dimensions, weight, distance, freight class, and your packages’ Pounds per Cubic Foot (PCF) or density. Your package’s PCF is closely related to the freight class applied to your freight shipment. A low PCF will result in a higher class rating. In turn, a higher class rating corresponds to a higher cost to ship your freight.
Calculate Your Density
When shipping freight, you may come across the acronym N.O.I. This stands for Not Otherwise Indicated. Not every item is classified by the National Motor Freight Classification Index. Shippers may need to call for real-time NOI freight rating in these cases.
Small Business Shipping FAQ
Q. What is best for small business shipping?
A. The best shipping companies for small business shipping in 2023 are United States Postal Service, Sendle, UPS, DHL Express, ShipBob, FedEx, and EasyPost. United States Postal Service is the best overall option, while Sendle is ideal for small packages. UPS is recommended for large packages, DHL Express for international shipping, and ShipBob for e-commerce businesses. FedEx is known for quick shipping, and EasyPost offers an affordable option.
Q. Do small businesses get shipping discounts?
A. Yes, small businesses can get shipping discounts through professional organizations and industry groups. Many carriers offer reduced rates for members, so make sure to charge your shipping costs to a credit card to take advantage. This way, you can benefit from the negotiated discount rates that shipping companies have for their cardholders.
Q. Should I consider using shipping insurance for my small business shipments?
A. Shipping insurance is recommended, especially for high-value or fragile items. It provides financial protection in case of damage, loss, or theft during transit. While it adds a small cost, it can save your business from significant financial losses in case of unexpected events.
Q. How can I improve shipping efficiency for my small business?
A. To improve shipping efficiency, invest in a reliable shipping software or platform that integrates with your e-commerce system. Automate label printing, track shipments in real-time, and streamline order fulfillment processes to save time and reduce errors.
Q. Should I offer free shipping for my small business products?
A. Offering free shipping can attract more customers and boost sales, as many consumers prefer it. However, it’s essential to factor shipping costs into your product prices or set a minimum order value for free shipping to ensure it’s financially viable for your business.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
