Shipping vehicles all around the country is a lot easier when you have a network of reliable carriers to turn to. Building your carrier network is a great way to reduce transport complications, improve shipping efficiency, and provide a better experience for your customers.
As with developing any type of relationship, boosting your network can take some time. But we’ve compiled five tips for ensuring your carrier network is working for you—including how using auto transport software can help you accomplish all five steps, starting today, with one easy-to-use system.
1. Find Reliable Carriers
Building a reliable carrier network starts with finding reliable carriers. There are a few good ways to do this: Get word-of-mouth referrals from other shippers who have worked with carriers that they’re eager to recommend. Use load boards or broker portals to identify available carriers. Do your own due diligence, finding carriers and reading their reviews or conducting interviews with them.
Or make it even easier on yourself and use a verified carrier finder. With Super Dispatch, our shipper transportation management system (or TMS) prioritizes carriers who have received our Verified Carrier Status. These carriers have already provided background information, including their USDOT certificate and cargo insurance details—and they’re reviewed and approved by a member of our Quality Compliance team. All you have to do is book!
2. Know Your Preferred Carriers
It is hard to build a dependable carrier network if you’re not paying attention to which carriers you prefer to work with. The truth is it’s much faster (and much less stressful) to book loads with the carriers you already know and love to work with. There’s no need to panic about whether the carrier will show up at the right time and in the right place because you’re already confident in their ability to get the job done.
Once you’ve found reliable carriers who help you make shipping easy, make sure you hold onto them! Using auto transport software to keep track of your loads means you can also keep track of your carriers: quickly filter available carriers by the ones you’ve already designated as preferred, and the work to find a carrier is already done.
3. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
When it comes to maintaining a good relationship, it’s tough to beat good clear communication. There are always going to be shifts, changes, and complications when shipping cars across the country and back, but that doesn’t have to jeopardize the end result. Being able to share new information as it is made available minimizes headaches and is essential for successful transports.
There’s nothing more discouraging than realizing you’re working with incorrect information. Ensuring that your carriers have current load schedules, accurate addresses, and other vital details is critical to both a successful shipment and a good relationship with your carrier.
4. Be a Good Partner
Creating a network is really about building relationships, and it’s true that sometimes you get what you give. If you prioritize being a reliable and trustworthy partner yourself, you’re more likely to get carriers who will do the same.
Communication is a big part of that, of course, and so is making sure you’re holding up your end of the deal when working with carriers. Making sure invoices are paid on time, staying committed to rate and volume agreements, and being transparent with your carriers are just as important and will go a long way toward building a good relationship.
Even with the benefits of marketing, advertising, and networking, there’s still no better referral than a word-of-mouth recommendation. Being a good partner to your current carriers is a great way to invest in the future of your reputation—and your ability to keep boosting your carrier network.
5. Use an End-to-End Platform
Building and maintaining a solid carrier network can take time, energy, and even a few mishaps. Luckily, you can avoid that hassle with an all-in-one platform for identifying reliable carriers, quickly booking loads, and communicating easily with haulers.
You don’t have to continue with your hodge-podge systems or try to keep up with manual workflows to keep your shipments moving on time. Auto transport software makes it possible to digitize your operation, smoothing the road ahead by streamlining processes, eliminating duplicate work, and reducing communication problems.
With Super Dispatch, you can quickly identify reliable carriers with our Verified Carrier feature, easily keep track of your preferred carriers, and efficiently book loads all in one easy-to-use system.
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The Super Dispatch team is committed to helping auto shippers and carriers move smarter, easier, and more effectively with digital solutions designed especially for the auto transport industry.
If you’re ready to see just how Super Dispatch can help you build a reliable carrier network, improve efficiency, and offer exceptional service for your customers, we’d love to help. Sign up for your free trial today!
