What is a Load Board?

A load board is an online platform where shippers, brokers, and carriers can post and find loads. Historically, load boards were simple bulletin boards in truck stops, but with the advent of technology, they've evolved into sophisticated digital marketplaces. These platforms connect drivers with available freight, making it easier to find and book loads quickly.

Types of Load Boards

Broker Load Boards

Broker-specific load boards such as Navisphere from CH Robinson or Carrier 360 from JB Hunt are created by individual brokers to post their loads. Their apps do much more than just offer loads, because the goal is to create an integrated end to end experience on each of their loads.

These boards can offer exclusive loads not found on aggregators. However, from anecdotal user feedback, we've heard many loads posted on broker load boards can also be found on aggregator load boards.

Note that carriers need to become approved carriers to haul with the broker before unlocking the ability to book.

Aggregators

Aggregators like DAT, TruckStop, and TrueNorth compile loads from various brokers and shippers. These platforms offer a wide variety of loads, providing flexibility and numerous options for drivers. Additionally, these platforms often include tools for tracking shipments, managing paperwork, and connecting with support networks, making the entire process more streamlined and user-friendly for small owner-operators and fleets alike.

Whereas broker load boards tend to be free, aggregators can be further split into free versus paid load boards.

Free vs. Paid Load Boards

• Free Load Boards: Platforms like TrueNorth offer free access to all features for the first user. These can be very advantageous for owner operators looking for the best value.
• Paid Load Boards: Services like DAT One start at $45 per month (over $500 per year). The highest tier with more premium features cost ~$300 per month (almost $3600 per year). 

How Do Load Boards Work?

Load boards function as digital marketplaces:

1. Shippers and Brokers Post Loads: Load details, including pick-up and delivery locations, weight, and any special requirements are posted on the platform. Shippers and brokers may also include additional information such as deadlines, handling instructions, and contact details for further inquiries.
2. Drivers Search for Loads: Drivers can use advanced filters to search for loads that meet their specific criteria. Primary criteria include pick-up location, drop-off destination, equipment type, and sometimes even preferred rates. This allows drivers to find the most suitable and profitable loads for their routes.
3. Booking: Depending on the platform, drivers can either instantly book a load with a single click or engage in a bidding process where they can negotiate the terms. Some platforms may also offer features like in-app messaging to facilitate communication between brokers and drivers, ensuring that all parties are clear on the terms and conditions before finalizing the booking.

Why Use a Load Board?

A Vast Network of Loads on Your Phone

There is a significant volume of loads posted to load boards each day. This volume of loads creates a marketplace where owner-operators can more easily find loads that meet their needs. With more owner operators, the load board attracts more brokers and shippers to post their loads. The load board becomes a marketplace that feeds off of the two-sided network effect.

Incorporating the appropriate load boards into an owner operators workflow can allow them to tap into a vast network of loads and run their business with more peace of mind, knowing the next load is a few app scrolls and clicks away.

Key Criteria for Choosing a Load Board

Load Board Costs

Consider your budget and the pricing structure of the load board when making a decision:

• Free Options: Ideal for those just starting out or looking to test the waters without financial commitment. Free options provide basic functionalities that are sufficient for small-scale operations or newcomers in the industry.
• Paid Tiers: Offer advanced features and higher load volumes, but at a cost. These plans are typically suited for more established businesses that require enhanced tools, better support, and greater capacity to handle larger volumes of work. Paid tiers often come with added benefits such as analytics, priority support, and integration with other systems.

Quantity of Loads Posted Daily

The number of loads available is crucial for any logistics operation. More loads mean more options, significantly increasing the likelihood of finding the perfect match for your route and schedule. This variety not only enhances flexibility but also maximizes efficiency, ensuring that every journey is optimized for both time and cost. Additionally, having a wide selection of loads can help mitigate risks related to delays or cancellations, providing a more reliable service.

User Reviews

Research user reviews to gauge the platform's reliability and trustworthiness. By examining a variety of reviews, you can gain valuable insights into the overall user experience, including ease of use, customer support quality, and performance consistency. Reviews often highlight any potential issues, such as frequent downtimes or security concerns, and can provide an understanding of how responsive the platform is to user feedback and problem resolution.

App Features

Look for the following features to enhance your experience:

• Speed of Load: Quick loading times ensure efficiency. This is particularly important if you're bidding for a competitive load.
• Ease of Use: An intuitive design makes navigating the app straightforward. Each additional click in the interface eats into an operators' efficiency taking time away from driving or bidding a load.
• Search Capabilities and Filtering: Advanced search and filtering options help find loads that meet your specific needs. With over a hundred thousand loads on each major load board, search and filtering capabilities are critical to narrow down thousands to the desired handful.
• Built-in Cost Calculator: A good load board should help you understand the cost of running a load.
• Backhauls and Route Planning: Optimize routes to reduce empty miles and find return loads efficiently. Driving empty is a costly decision for most operators cutting into take home pay.
• Instant Booking and Bid/Negotiation: Gain flexibility in securing loads by either booking instantly or engaging in bid and negotiation processes to get the best deals. Some load boards will have features to help facilitate the bidding process.

Other Benefits

Consider additional features that can streamline your workflow:

• Document Management: From rate confirmations to lumper receipts, does the app also offer TMS-like features to help you manage the documentation on the loads you book?
• Partner Integrations: Are there partner integrations to give you discount on fuel, access to factoring, or integrate GPS tracking. Having an integrated app solution can help streamline operations.
• Post a Truck or Truck List: If brokers and shippers can post loads, then ideally carriers can post trucks. Being able to post your carrier's trucks help increase your carrier's visibility and attract more load offers.

Get TrueNorth's Load Board

Ready to streamline your operations and find the perfect loads? Explore the options and integrate the best load board into your workflow today by downloading TrueNorth's load board app. TrueNorth's load board is free for the first user and is a great way to test out how you can integrate load boards into your every day workflow.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us. We're here to support you in every step of your trucking journey.