So you want to subscribe to a freight forwarding software to make managing your business easier? Great! But where do you even begin? Where do you find the best software that will meet your needs? How do you know that it will be worth the money that your company spends? Should you continue using outdated software? 

Working in freight forwarding is already full of challenges and obstacles, and the last thing anyone in the industry needs is more stress, especially when there are programs to outsource help from. 

Finding a system that will automate many tasks will make everything smoother.

Not only will it put all the information in one place, it can also give you insight and analytics that were previously unavailable. 

According to a survey performed by the logistics company Freightos, midsize importers annually spend anywhere from 20 to 500 hours managing their freight shipments, and the most commonly used way of tracking information is through spreadsheets. Almost half of the business owners who participated in the survey spend over 2 hours managing each shipment, which is roughly $100 of labor for one single shipment. From getting quotes, booking, following up, tracking, and more, there are a lot of details to manage, which explains why it is so incredibly time-consuming and expensive.  

That is a lot of time and money that could be saved. 

Switching over to a freight forwarding software can cut down on international freight costs while also increasing efficiency. 

But how do you even find the time to search for the right software in this industry for your business? The answer is simple. Peer reviews. 

Next to subscribing to multiple freight software and figuring things out through trial and error, peer reviews are the most reliable way of doing effective research. The reviews written by people who work in a similar industry and may have similar concerns are more trustworthy and targeted to your needs. 

We recommend these 4 review websites for freight software to reduce your time on searching. 

1. Capterra

   Capterra is probably the most thorough software directory on the list. It includes over 1 million verified reviews, and has the capability to allow users to select multiple software and simultaneously compare them side by side. The website design is clean and intuitive, which makes it easy on the eyes and easy to navigate. Beyond reviews, it also lists out the features that come with each software.

2. GetApp

   Similar to Capterra, users can compare multiple software side by side on GetApp. It has a substantial amount of reviews that will allow readers to gain a good understanding of the pros and cons that each software has. What differentiates it from other software review websites is that on the comparison page, instead of scrolling through, viewers can easily click on the section they want to read about, like the overview, pricing, user reviews, key features, and more. Instead of scrolling through, clients can easily jump to different segments, all with the click of a button.

3. G2

   G2 is also capable of letting users compare multiple companies at once, but it has considerably fewer data and consumer reviews compared to Capterra. It is a little harder to develop a more unbiased opinion of each software on this website, as each company will put their best foot forward to try to convince you to use their services.

4. Goodfirms

   Goodfirms also does not have the most reviews, but the company descriptions are quite well written on this website. The filters also allow users to filter the search results based on their hourly rate, which the other review websites do not provide. Take a look at this website if you are concerned about pricing, but we would recommend doing more research and reading some reviews on the company you decide on with another website on this list.

Take the time to read through reviews and pay attention to patterns and recurring themes. Then prioritize them based on your company’s needs. 

If related comments continually show up, it is safe to assume that your experience will be similar. Take note of specific features that people praise and hold in high regard, as those could be crucial for your company as well. It is also worth noting what leading feature each software has that differentiates it from the others. 

Themes may include: 

1. Usability: is it user-friendly, how steep the learning curve is, how the interface design helps or hinders the user 
2. Features: praise for a feature, or complaints about the lack of  
3. Changes: how the software has impacted the business 
4. Communication: does customer service respond in a timely manner, how receptive the software company is to feedback 

Different software deliver different features. But before the elimination process can begin, you have to know which features are crucial for your business. 

Prioritize features based on the available resources, the company’s strategies, and goals. Knowing your priorities will be able to help with the process of narrowing down which software to choose. The added benefits include reduced stress and an added focus on the key performance indicators. 

We recommend using the Kano Model to sort out the features. 

It is also known as the “Customer Delight vs. Implementation Investment” method. It is mainly used in product development and is focused on customer satisfaction, but is applicable for this process. The framework encourages users to clearly identify which features will benefit them, and which will not.

Features get split into two umbrella categories in the Kano Method; “Features to Include” and “Features to Avoid,” then subsequently filtered into subcategories. 

 You can categorize the features with help from the 5 statements below:  

1. I expect it 
2. I am neutral 
3. I like it 
4. I can tolerate it 
5. I don’t like it 

In Features to Include: 

1. Basic threshold features (I expect it):
   Features the software needs to be competitive, the minimum requirements; may lead to dissatisfaction and bad user experience if they do not work or are not included 
2. Performance features (I am neutral):
   Features that are not required, if they do not exist users may not even notice the difference, can be seen as unique and surprising features that would be nice to have on hand, but not necessary.
3. Attractive features (I like it):
   For optimal performance, not exactly the most necessary but incredibly helpful features to have, e.g., operate in cloud space, so users can access the software anywhere  

In Features to Avoid:  

1. Indifferent features (I can tolerate it):
   The existence of the feature does not change anything, nor do the users care about them
2. Dissatisfaction features (I don’t like it): Features that will upset users when they get in the way, extra features that are not needed 

If the framework of the Kano Model does not work, there is always the option to use relative prioritization to dissect and itemize features. Rank the features in order of importance, and there can be no ties. Each feature has to have its own ranking. Users have to weigh each feature against the others to determine which ones they really want. 

Another point that may affect the decision-making process is pricing. 

Some software allows users to choose different levels of subscription-based on functions. There may be free versions with limited features, and plans that range from basic, to pro, to advanced, and allows for companies to pay for what they use. 

GoFreight offers a free trial for new customers to experience our services and versatile features that not all freight forwarding software are capable of. 

Those features include but are not limited to; detailed accounting functions, warehouse management, and a real-time tracking system. We work with Amazon to provide both strong network security and two backup copies of user data to minimize data loss and protect your information. It is also web and cloud-based, so clients can access their data everywhere and anywhere from their office workspace to a mobile device. But don’t just take our word for it. Our reviews speak for themselves.

“This software is User friendly, easy to use but powerful, and it’s cloud-based. You can simply access it anyway and any time you can without complicated setup.”
— Simon L. January 7th, 2021 

“Easy to use, fits in the budget for general purpose, modules can be more expendable… interface it’s easy to view and work with.”
– Kevin C. November 6th, 2020 

“GoFreight is a very capable FMS specific to NVOCC operations. The support team from GoFreight provides fast responses to aid/troubleshoot usage problems.”
– Victor C. October 29th, 2020

What are you waiting for? Request your free demonstration now at GoFreight. We provide a multitude of services that will help you run a global freight forwarding business, and our software is the only thing you need. We look forward to hearing from you!