As an owner-operator, you know you need to find loads to haul. Your business is based on running as many loaded miles as you can in order to maximize your profits and mileage. One great way to find loads is through online freight matching services, also known as load boards. These websites can save you a lot of time hunting down work, so you can spend your time earning money.
There are scores of load boards to choose from, so the trick is to find one that matches your needs so you aren’t wasting time and money.
1. Low cost
Make sure you find a freight matching service that fits within your budget. A good load board will pay for itself after a few loads.
2. User-friendly interface
Is the load board user-friendly? Look for an intuitive interface, so you don’t waste time searching for loads, posting your truck or using other value-added features.
3. Free trial
Look for a load board that offers a free trial, so you can test it to see if it suits your needs. Be weary of a load board that does not offer a free trial.
4. Mobile apps
When you’re on the go, you need a freight match service that offers the same access on your phone or tablet as what you can see on your computer.
The most popular load boards offer mobile apps that can be used while you’re on the road and away from your laptop. One of the most popular mobile load board apps is available for free download at:
- iOS App
- Android App
5. Find Loads with Load Board Notifications
You’ll want to use a board that sends load alerts 24/7 to your phone or email address, so you never miss an opportunity.
6. Free load posting for brokers
When it’s easier for brokers to post loads, more truckloads will be listed, offering you greater opportunities.
7. Value-added features including Quick Pay
Some load boards provide load planners, credit ratings/scores, mileage/routing and free corporate websites at no additional cost.
8.) SEARCH ANY TYPE OF TRAILER
When you are searching for a load, be aware if you select ONLY one trailer type, you will be eliminating trailer loads that have been posted that can go on several different kinds of trailers. For example, if you search ONLY UTILITY trailer, you will not see loads that can be hauled on a utility trailer or a gooseneck trailer.
9.) REVERSE SEARCH
It is always better to be in a market that has more loads leaving than coming in. Leave the origin blank and include the city names that you are searching for in the destination. Then run the search and compare the inbound loads versus outbound loads. This is an easy way to see what the market looks like where you are or where you are headed so you can avoid deadheading.
10.) DO NOT OVERBOOK
Pay attention to the size of the load and the distance of the haul. You don’t want to take on more than you can handle, and then you have limited space on your trailer for loads you can already committed to hauling.
11.) USE MULTIPLE LOAD BOARDS
You do not want to put all your eggs in one basket. If you sign up for more than one load board, it can help you get the best load. One load board does not have all the information you need. Consider using a variety of load boards so you can keep delivering loads and making money.
12.) BE PATIENT
You are not going to stumble upon the right load immediately. Sometimes it might take you an hour before you find the right one. That is just the way it works, but it is important to not get frustrated. The right load will come about eventually.
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