As a small business owner, you will agree that you have access to limited resources and lesser supplies than the top dogs or established competitors in your industry. Also, finding an ideal shipping option when you need to ship larger items can be challenging. This is because these items are classified as “too large” for parcel shippers like UPS or FedEx. Let’s have a look at the top reasons why LTL for small business shipping is the best service for your logistic needs.
In some cases, small businesses have to settle for using an entire trailer that ends up becoming only half-full to get these goods to their customers, taking the blow by paying the unnecessary costs. Hence, the need for a solution. This is where Less Than Truckload (LTL) services come into the picture. As the name implies, this method focuses on shipping palletized shipments that are less than a full truckload (do not fill the whole trailer).
LTL freight is undoubtedly a suitable option for small businesses. You may not be aware of this timely option. Nonetheless, it benefits your small business in many ways than one.
6 Benefits of LTL for Small Business Shipping
Faster Delivery
This is arguably the most attractive benefit of LTL shipping, as you don’t have to wait for a full truckload before the delivery of goods to your customers commences. Additionally, the loading and unloading time is lesser.
Here you can book your products instantly and have them delivered to the specified destination without worrying about frequent stops or weigh-ins. This implies that your shipment reaches the destination faster than other shipment options.
Safer Transport
LTL shippers give more attention and care to shipments than full truckload (FTL) shippers. Since the shipments are smaller, LTL shippers can effectively put in the work required to keep them secure during transit while loading and unloading. Therefore, preventing any likely damages associated with shipping items in a full truckload.
Every item shipped through LTL shipping is carefully wrapped or protected and loaded into a truck before the transportation begins. The chances of these goods getting destroyed or damaged during transit are slim. This is why LTL shipping is an excellent idea for your delivery operations.
Easy Tracking
The hassle of keeping an eye on shipments during transit is one of the biggest challenges for business owners. However, this will be the least of your worries when you opt for LTL shipping services. Most LTL shippers use advanced technology when shipping goods from one location to another. Your small business stands to benefit from these developments without spending extra cash.
The emergence of an easy tracking system is proof of how much of a difference technology makes in the freight industry. As a small business owner, using an LTL shipper will allow you and your customers to keep tabs on the progress of the shipments regardless of their location. This will give you and your customers peace of mind, keeping track of every step of the transit and staying in the know.
Cost-effectiveness
LTL shipping is mostly a cheaper option compared to FTL shipping over the same distance. It saves small businesses a lot of money since they don’t have to book an entire semitrailer for their shipments. With LTL for small business shipping, your palletized shipments are kept on a truck alongside shipments from small businesses like yours.
You will only pay for the space your goods occupy on the truck while others pay for theirs. This lowers the total shipping cost, as you won’t have to spend an extra cent to cover the costs that come with using a half-empty truck. And what’s more, LTL shippers often offer value-added services that give you more value for money. These services may include inside delivery, notification before delivery, or freeze protection.
Wide Range of Delivery Services
Many LTL shipping services offer you a wide range of delivery options to satisfy your needs and your customers. Here are a few options available to you:
- Custom delivery windows
- Limited access
- Liftgate
- Expedited shipping
Eco-friendliness
Nowadays, businesses are moving towards eco-friendly solutions that make the world a healthier place to live in. For this reason, environmentally friendly shipping has become a top priority. Fortunately, LTL ticks the right boxes, as they make transportation greener by reducing the consumption of fuel, carbon footprint, and the number of trucks needed for shipping.
In a nutshell, if you need a simple but effective approach to ensure the delivery of your shipments is environmentally friendly, you can’t go wrong with LTL shipping.
GoShip Provides LTL for Small Business Shipping
Since small businesses are used to having to do more with less, LTL freight is undoubtedly a breath of fresh air. LTL shipping helps you to save money on your logistics needs, especially when you opt for a reliable shipping platform like GoShip. GoShip is an expert in LTL freight with an extensive network of LTL carriers. They can help you find a well-suited carrier to meet your needs, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of LTL.