Digital freight forwarding platforms allow businesses to expand their revenue and deliver goods to consumers all over the world. The digital freight forwarding industry will be worth $33.7 billion by 2032 according to studies, thanks to ecommerce and global shopping.
Although this has led a rapid rise in freight forwarding platforms not all of them are the same. In recent years, digital freight forwarding platforms emerged as a solution that is appropriate for our tech-current time. They create user-friendly dashboards that allow business owners to easily navigate the internet and track shipments live. Traditional freight forwarders are still a good option for getting your goods from A to B internationally. They have a proven track record and partnerships.
Both freight forwarders are prone to favoring larger companies, and tailoring their business models around these companies, creating disparities with smaller brands who are often left looking for a shipping partner.
This list will introduce you to some of top freight forwarding platforms, which offer specialized solutions for SMBs.
The 10 best freight forwarding platforms for SMBs
Freight forwarding platforms that are geared towards smaller companies often include unique features and benefits. These can include access to different shipping methods (to reduce costs), an increased focus on user-friendly functions, and end-toend customer service.
Ship4wd – The Best Overall Solution For SMBs
Ship4wd is a freight forwarding platform that focuses on small and mid-sized businesses. While there are many platforms out there offering support to SMBs there, Ship4wd is focused specifically on their needs. The digital freight forwarder ensures that smaller businesses receive the same support, deals, and treatment as larger businesses in freight forwarding. It even guarantees container allocation to SMBs.
The company, founded by ZIM, which is one of the 20 largest shipping carriers in the World, leverages its massive network of partners in order to represent SMBs within the international freight market. This allows them to access affordable prices as well as a variety of delivery options, including FCL, LCL, and air freight.
Ship4wd’s digital freight forwarding system includes features such as instant quotes, real time order tracking, and 24-hour human support. They offer solutions to access cargo insurance, customs broker, pre-shipment checks, and financial options for SMBs. Ship4wd is the best option for small businesses because they understand their needs and problems.
Flexport: Combined Logistics and Freight
Flexport is a complete supply chain platform which helps companies of all sizes navigate the global logistics landscape. Flexport is a platform that focuses on simplifying the logistics journey for smaller businesses. The company offers a platform powered by AI that can help you coordinate different parts of your business as well as access vital analytics.
Flexport allows SMBs to coordinate shipments confidently, and gain visibility at every stage of the logistic journey. You can even access analytical tools to help you reduce waste in your supply chain. This is perfect for budget-conscious businesses.
The only disadvantage is that Flexport’s extensive selection of features means it has a higher learning curve, especially for beginners.
Saloodo: Ideal DHL Customers
Saloodo, a digital freight forwarding company and logistics provider, specializes in part-load and whole-load shipping. This makes it an excellent option for SMBs. The platform is both an online solution to track and manage shipments and a freight market.
Saloodo, designed to be the go to carrier management portal for DHL clients, is ideal for companies that want to use DHL to transport orders across Europe MEA and Argentina. It also offers a free account for smaller ecommerce businesses, as well as digital tools such as invoice creation, browser notifications, tracking and tracing.
The companies will also have access to a single contact for all their shipping needs. They can also track the transport in real time and use paperless documentation.
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Freightview: Easy Booking and Management
Freightview may be less comprehensive than other platforms, but it offers a variety of useful tools for small businesses. This platform allows companies to compare “truckload” rates for domestic shipping needs.
You can also get insights into the rates for less-than-container loads (LCL), a freight classification calculator, guidance on hazardous shipments, and automated tracking tools. There are also resources for automated tracking and label generation. Custom packaging management is also available.
Freightview includes an open API that allows you to create your own automated workflows. This will allow you to connect your small business activities.
Cargowise – Flexible Supply Chain Management
Cargowise provides a range of flexible solutions to companies of all sizes and industries for supply chain management and logistics. It offers specialized solutions for international ecommerce brands as well as larger companies.
Cargowise’s freight forwarding tools allow smaller companies to access AI-enhanced and automated tools that can boost productivity and lower costs. Cargowise offers ocean, air, rail, and road freight options. It also stores all your shipment data on a central platform to help you reduce common regulatory risks.
It also provides organisations with a simple environment in which they can manage their communications with suppliers all in one place. This reduces the complexity of logistics.
Beacon freight: Best for local deliveries
Beacon is an international freight forwarding and logistic company. It offers five core services, including freight, supply chain consulting, and logistics. It can also help small businesses with the more complex aspects of the logistics journey such as managing customs.
This company specializes in local transport and delivery, which is ideal for smaller organizations. Through a large partner network, it can provide access to transportation routes by sea, road, rail, and air. It also supports both full container loads (FCL) and less-than-container loads (LCL), giving SMBs a lot of flexibility.
The company is primarily focused on organisations located in the SADC region. It may not be suitable for larger organisations or smaller ones based in places such as the United States.
Sendder: Ideal European Freight Forwarding
Sendder is a great freight forwarding platform for SMBs in Europe. The company, like the other top SMB freight forwarding platforms on this list helps organisations save money and reduce risks. They also automate tasks.
Sendder also provides companies with tools to track their carbon footprint, which helps them reduce their environmental impact. Sendder offers SMBs innovative tracking tools, solutions for quality assurance, and dedicated customer support from an account manager. There’s a mobile app to track insights on the go.
Sendder offers freight rate procurement, shipment management and AI-driven machine learning to provide valuable insights to business executives.
Zencargo: Bespoke Solutions
Zencargo, a versatile logistics software company, offers companies a comprehensive toolkit to manage and forward freight. The company’s commitment to providing direct guidance and consultation throughout the logistics process is one of its best features. Zencargo provides a comprehensive platform that allows you to manage orders, routes and partners.
You can choose from a variety of options for air, sea and road freight, depending on your needs. A dedicated LCL service allows small business owners to keep costs down by only paying for the volume of goods they ship.
Zencargo’s platform includes access to advanced analytical tools that you can use to plan your cargo movements and determine the best routes to ship.
MyCeva: The Best Sustainable Option
MyCeva, a software leader for small businesses that focuses on freight forwarding and automation of logistics, is another popular company. It provides a platform for companies to manage their shipping strategy from anywhere, and to experiment with a variety of ocean, air, and sea freight options based on their needs.
If you’re scaling a small business, you can also request “premium shipping services” if your delivery time needs to be accelerated. MyCeva offers more than 600 shipping routes around the world, and is one of the few companies that are fully committed to improving sustainability within logistics.
The company offers eco-friendly shipping and a carbon footprint calculator to help you understand your potential emissions.
Nowports: Excellent Customer Support
Nowports, a Spanish freight forwarding firm, specializes in centralising international trade operations in Mexico, Columbia and other countries. The organisation promises to manage your cargo transportation with a logistics solution that is flexible and can adapt to you.
Companies can choose from a variety of transport options, including containers, boxes and pallets, or even multimodal shipping strategies. Nowports also offers real-time tracking so you can check the status of your order in an instant.
The company also offers access to a variety of technology, finance, and logistics experts who will work with your business one-on-one. This is ideal for SMBs who have limited access to logistic expertise.
How to Choose the Right SMB Freight forwarder
All of the freight forwarding platforms and companies listed above have something special to offer small business owners in need of logistical support. All of them offer a variety of freight forwarding tools and modalities.
If you are having trouble choosing between your options, focus on:
- Experience: Look for a freight forwarding firm with experience in working with smaller businesses on a variety of logistics and freight forwarding strategies. Look for companies who can offer support with complicated processes such as managing customs and freight insurance or monitoring shipments.
- Partners: The best freight companies will work with a variety of partners to deliver the best rates for smaller businesses. Choose a company who can guarantee allocation of shipments with your chosen shipping company
- Service range: Some forwarding companies provide more services than others. Some freight forwarding companies offer complete door-to-door solutions. This is ideal if your goal is to avoid dealing with multiple third parties. Some can also provide access to insurance solutions
- Ease-of-use: For small businesses, ease-of use is essential. The more intuitive a platform is, you’ll spend less time learning how to use its features. This allows you to get the most out of your software much faster.
- Customer support: Smaller companies will often need to have access to excellent customer support to help them navigate complex logistics processes. It’s ideal to choose a provider that can offer 24/7 support from real experts
Choose your Ideal SMB Freight Forwarder
It can be difficult for small business owners to manage freight and logistics, but this is often necessary to enable international expansion and growth. The best freight forwarding platforms ensure that you have access to the tools and support needed to reach your customers wherever they may be.
Remember that not all freight forwarding companies prioritize SMBs. Choose a partner who understands your unique challenges as a small business owner, and provides you with the resources to streamline processes and cut costs.