Are you looking to set up a shipping business? For those with the contacts and the knowledge, shipping is a relatively low-cost capital start-up. Here is everything you need to know about running a successful shipping business.
Work With A Freight Broker
Freight brokerage services allow you to make connections between shippers and carriers. They are individual brokers that physically connect carriers and shipping services to keep items moving along the supply chain. They are ideal if you end up shipping more capacity than you originally planned, or when you suddenly need to find a new carrier. Essentially, freight brokers save you time spent on sourcing transportation for your goods after shipping. A broker such as Go3G will also help you to get in touch with the right carriers for your business, ensuring that your goods get delivered efficiently and quickly.
Get The Right Shipping Insurance
The right insurance can make or break your business. As a shipper, you might not consider yourself directly responsible for the freight, but freight liability insurance can help with your reputation, and control the risk of damage to shipped goods. It can also help you qualify for some memberships and boards, like the British or American International Freight Associations. You should also get marine insurance, which acts as additional coverage for goods going by sea.
Optimize Your Website
Well-optimized websites are essential for any new shipping business. You will need to ensure that your website is easy to navigate, and is Search Engine Optimized (SEO), so that your site pops up at the top of all search engines.
You will need to provide clear and value-added website content while also including key shipping and freight-related keywords. If you’re worried about striking the balance between keyword-stuffing and well-written content, consider a marketing agency to help you with your website building.
Make Sustainability A Priority
In today’s world, we are becoming ever-more conscious of the impact humanity is having on our planet. Individuals choosing shipping companies are looking for those with sustainable shipping practices. If you’re involved in the packaging process of shipping, then using biodegradable and green packaging solutions is a great way to give your shipping business an edge. You can also take small steps in your warehouses, like better insulating them to avoid using additional air conditioning.
Use Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
As a start-up shipping business, your relationships with your customers are vital to building your business. Think of how centralized software can better help you update or chase customers, find information about your freight services and look at all the information regarding a particular delivery in one centralized place. A CRM is an essential step in streamlining your business.
Final Thoughts
Your shipping business can be made more effective by streamlining your customer and carrier relationships. This can be done by outsourcing this to a freight broker and utilizing CRM software to better track and update your customers. You should also ensure you have a fully optimized website to better draw customers and freight services to your site. Ensure you have some State Auto Transport notes to keep track of all pertinent information. Finally, do not underestimate the influence of sustainability on your business. Consider ways to make your shipping services more eco-friendly in order to appeal to a wider audience.