Looking for the best freight service providing company for your business enables you to outsource the logistics. It also helps boost the efficiency for both clients and the company. The freight forwarders or the third-party logistics providers offer an umpteen number of supply chain solutions, such as distribution, fulfillment, and warehousing, all under one roof. But, there is an overwhelming number of freight service providers available today. Here, we provide you with some essential tips to help you choose the best company. So, let us get started.
Look for their experience in the industry
It is one of the quintessential aspects that you need to consider when selecting freight providers. Just like everything else in life, having prior experience only makes the provider more trustworthy. Experienced providers can overcome hurdles, such as customs, port shutdowns, cargo reroutes, and warehousing. These are prevalent issues in domestic and international shipping, and the better they handle it, the more likely the goods will reach the customer safely.
Check if they offer what you require
The next thing that you need to consider is whether the freight service providing company provides you with the services that cater to your business’s specific needs. So, when you are browsing through different companies’ portfolios, check what the services provided by them are. Some of the services you may need include logistic services, such as average shipment volume, transportation, and extras, such as warehousing and fulfillment. So, do check if the freight forwarder offers these services before getting them on board. Always bear in mind while selecting the freight forwarder, your primary goal should be to hire someone who can save your time that you can utilize to focus on the critical business areas.
Inquire about their global network
When you select a freight forwarding company with a solid agent network across different destinations and origin ports, you know that the flow of goods will be better. Consequently, the logistic management is seamless. At all times, you will be aware of where your shipment is, and if ever there is a hurdle, the company will ensure that they do their bit to accelerate the process.
Find out about their certifications and credentials
Before you select any freight forwarding company, inquire about their certifications and credentials. This will inform you whether or not the chosen freight forwarder has the security requirements and the necessary training to help you materialize your business goals. Further, while you confirm the credentials, you can ask them for references. When you have a couple of references who show unsolicited admiration for the company’s work, it is an indicator that you can depend on them to manage your requirements.
Test the customer support team’s efficiency
The kind of customer service you receive from your freight service-providing company’s representatives can make or break the whole experience. So, before you get into a long-term partnership, speak to their support staff to see whether they are knowledgeable and helpful enough to solve your queries. See, this is vital because if a problem arises with your shipment, you want to be sure that the customer support team of your freight forwarder will help you with a quick and effective solution. So, it is ideal to go with a company that has a knowledgeable and responsive customer support department.
Verify the company’s financial stability
Lastly, it is always beneficial to associate with financially stable companies. Unfortunately, many nightmare stories are prevailing in the market, wherein the cargo shipment got stuck at the storage only because the freight forwarder could not bear the fee of the ocean carrier.
Following these ideas will prove helpful for you, and you find a suitable freight forwarder.