{"id":24145,"date":"2025-09-19T09:04:41","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T16:04:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/?p=24145"},"modified":"2025-09-25T04:09:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T11:09:14","slug":"shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy","title":{"rendered":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24145\" class=\"elementor elementor-24145\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-81945f6 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"81945f6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4a4c5504\" data-id=\"4a4c5504\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6217f654 elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"6217f654\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23482\" class=\"elementor elementor-23482\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5f9a1cf2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"5f9a1cf2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c09d1bd\" data-id=\"c09d1bd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-423e1446 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"423e1446\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a3148dd\" data-id=\"1a3148dd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d0fd02d header-top-title elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7d0fd02d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6d8b956a\" data-id=\"6d8b956a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2f819e70 long-form-content-sec elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2f819e70\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3a94d22f\" data-id=\"3a94d22f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5e879731 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5e879731\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-311fe33e\" data-id=\"311fe33e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d3cd8c9 elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"2d3cd8c9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23484\" class=\"elementor elementor-23484\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-77872c06 elementor-section-full_width elementor-hidden-desktop elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"77872c06\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7813e718\" data-id=\"7813e718\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1de5dee7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1de5dee7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">&lt; Back to resources<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c92a00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c92a00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a3a2bcc uael-share-buttons--view-icon uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"5a3a2bcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:24,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d43f3f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d43f3f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Freight market volatility has made it riskier than ever to rely on a small, static group of carriers. Seasonal surges, changes in service levels, and even bankruptcies have exposed the limits of traditional freight carrier strategies. Building a more resilient approach means diversifying your carrier network, making use of <a href=\"\/iq\">real-time data<\/a>, and staying more flexible.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-760115a0 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"760115a0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-11109d85\" data-id=\"11109d85\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-578bb5ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"578bb5ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why your freight carrier strategy needs an upgrade<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3767e592 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3767e592\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The freight market has become more volatile, and this unpredictability also affects carrier behaviour and abilities. Relying on the same group of carriers is no longer a safe strategy, with more frequent capacity issues, seasonal fluctuations, and unexpected carrier bankruptcies. The traditional approach of sticking with a small, loyal group of carriers simply isn\u2019t enough anymore.<\/p><p>Instead, you must adopt a more resilient, adaptable freight carrier strategy. A smarter approach is one that is data-driven and flexible enough to respond to market disruptions. Using modern technology and tools, you can diversify your carrier base, optimize your routing guides, and make proactive decisions to reduce risks to your business.<\/p><p>It\u2019s important to remember that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach, and that the right strategy depends on your business factors. Nonetheless, there are a few key things to keep in mind. This article will review the risks of a static carrier network, optimization, and how to evaluate and diversify your current setup. Then we\u2019ll go through <a href=\"\/resources\/dat-iq-strategic-freight-decisions\">how to use data to tap into broader markets<\/a>, turn insights into actionable steps, and how carrier diversification supports your business.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-798be54 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"798be54\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-7d2ac70\" data-id=\"7d2ac70\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b7a829 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4b7a829\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The risks of a static carrier network<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15cf924 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15cf924\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Relying on the same set of carriers for your entire freight network can seem like a safe approach. Consistent <a href=\"\/resources\/establish-relationship-with-direct-shippers\">shipper\/carrier relationships<\/a> bring reliability and trust built over time. However, keeping a static carrier network can pose several risks in today\u2019s dynamic market.<\/p><p>First, overreliance on a few carriers for all your shipments can create a vulnerable position. If one of these carriers faces a disruption (bankruptcy, capacity shortages, or service issues), it can leave you scrambling to find alternative solutions at the last minute.<\/p><p>In addition, by not regularly evaluating new carriers that have entered the market, you could miss out on cost-effective carriers or carriers that offer better service levels. As new carriers emerge or existing ones expand their capabilities, you may miss opportunities to take advantage of better service while lowering costs.<\/p><p>Finally, when you stick to a small, static group of carriers, it\u2019s easy to miss when capacity is taking a hit or when a carrier\u2019s performance starts to decline. Issues like service delays or rising rates may sneak up on you, unless you\u2019re carrying out a regular review process and comparing your current carriers with new entrants.<\/p><h3>Real world examples<\/h3><p>Some real-world problems with static carrier networks include:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Late deliveries:<\/strong> Over-reliance on a small number of carriers can lead to delays if they\u2019re experiencing capacity or operational issues. A lack of carrier diversification makes it harder to pivot and pick up slack when things go wrong.<\/li><li><strong>Rejected tenders:<\/strong> When a carrier can\u2019t meet the terms or cannot accept your freight under the right conditions, you might have to deal with tender rejections. These rejections disrupt your supply chain and create inefficiencies, particularly when no backup carriers are lined up.<\/li><li><strong>Overpaying on underperforming lanes:<\/strong> Always using the same carriers without looking further afield can lead to overpaying. Without benchmarking performance against alternative or new carriers, you can easily miss out on better rates or more efficient freight allocations.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-04b7b2f elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"04b7b2f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-341d00b\" data-id=\"341d00b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-630716a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"630716a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to evaluate and diversify your carrier base<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2ef856 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2ef856\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Now that you know the risks of having a static carrier network, let\u2019s take a look at how to evaluate your carrier base and improve your carrier <a href=\"\/solutions\/supply-chain-network-optimization\">network optimization<\/a>. Here are four key steps to help you find gaps in your network:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Set clear performance metrics:<\/strong> Key metrics to track include how often carriers deliver on time, how often carriers reject tenders or fail to accept shipments, and how well your carriers keep you up to date about delays, capacity changes, or other shifts. When you have clear metrics to assess your carriers, you can more easily spot capacity issues, service failures, or misalignment with your needs.<\/li><li><strong>Use historical service data and market comparisons to assess each carrier:<\/strong> With a <a href=\"\/solutions\/load-board-for-shippers\">high-quality load board<\/a> and network analysis tool, you can compare this historical information with broader market trends to determine whether the carrier is performing in line with industry standards. Alternatively, you may find other carriers who are offering better service or could provide cost savings for your business.<\/li><li><strong>Identify capacity gaps by region, lane, or mode:<\/strong> Using data analytics tools, try to discover capacity gaps in your network. This could be region-specific, lane-specific, or even mode-specific capacity gaps. If a carrier isn\u2019t able to service certain lanes or regions or can do it only occasionally, you likely need to expand your carrier network in those areas.<\/li><li><strong>Build relationships with alternative carriers before you need them:<\/strong> Finally, one important step is to <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/ptmqmz8hbfx55qjh4tgfm8\/22Q4-DAT%20iQ-SS_5Strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">establish relationships with alternative carriers<\/a> well before you need them. Build up a pool of trusted carriers that you can turn to when necessary, so that you\u2019re not left high and dry during periods of high demand or when one of your main carriers runs into an issue.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b4bc75 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b4bc75\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a71b2fd\" data-id=\"a71b2fd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50c7e79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50c7e79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Using data to improve routing guides and reduce tender rejection<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c77e8a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c77e8a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Optimizing your routing guide and reducing tender rejection rates are other vital parts of carrier network optimization. By using a data-driven approach, you can ensure that your routing guides are aligned with your needs and flexible enough to adapt to changes in the market.<\/p><p>Four key steps to take include:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Analyze where your routing guide fails:<\/strong> Review your routing guide to identify any weak points. Look for high fall-off rates (when shipments are dropped from the routing guide)\u2014this can be a sign that a carrier cannot consistently meet your needs. In addition, look for slow tender acceptances. If a carrier takes a long time to accept tenders, it could indicate mismatches in capacity or poor communication on the carrier\u2019s side.<\/li><li><strong>Adjust carrier allocations using performance data and market conditions:<\/strong> Once you&#8217;ve identified where your routing guide is weak, shift your carrier allocations to match. Use performance data from historical shipments to decide which carriers should be prioritized or removed from specific lanes. In addition, change which carriers handle certain routes to deal with fluctuating demand or seasonal capacity shortages.<\/li><li><strong>Use network analytics tools to identify regions or lanes with unreliable capacity:<\/strong> Use high-quality network analytics tools to get a clearer picture of your entire carrier network. Good-quality tools can help find areas or lanes where capacity is unstable so that you can proactively address them. For example, if you notice specific lanes have a lot of high rejection rates or delays, change your routing strategy to avoid or find additional carriers to service those areas.<\/li><li><strong>Reallocate freight based on carrier strengths and coverage patterns:<\/strong> If a carrier consistently performs well in certain regions but struggles with others, shifting those routes to a more reliable provider (or providers) can reduce inefficiencies and improve your service. Look at each carrier\u2019s strengths and play to those, and cover any weaknesses you discover.<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a1261df elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a1261df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c40ca81\" data-id=\"c40ca81\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b04209 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2b04209\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Tapping into broader market capacity<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7f7d47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7f7d47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You need to monitor trends and look for new opportunities to take advantage of broader market capacity. This can help you find new carriers and expand your network in ways that keep your strategy more dynamic and sustainable over the long term.<\/p><p>One key part of this is using market data, which can help you identify alternative capacity in underserved lanes. Certain regions or routes often experience capacity shortages, but with the right data and market information, you can find new carriers that can help to plug these gaps.<\/p><p>In addition, you can discover high-performing carriers from other parts of the market by keeping track of broader market capacity. These high-performing carriers are good candidates for expanding your network when needed, and you can start <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/ptmqmz8hbfx55qjh4tgfm8\/22Q4-DAT%20iQ-SS_5Strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">building relationships<\/a> with them as soon as you discover them. Finally, following market trends and capacity helps you to avoid overexposure to high-risk or highly concentrated carriers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-f8c6eb4 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f8c6eb4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bc4ba59\" data-id=\"bc4ba59\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad02d1d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad02d1d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Carrier scorecards: turn insight into action<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56ef088 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56ef088\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Carrier scorecards are part of turning analytics and performance data into insights you can act on. Scorecards should reflect the key metrics important to your business, including on-time delivery rates, tender rejection rates, communication quality, and how cost-effective a carrier is. Creating these scorecards gives you a clear, data-driven perspective on each carrier\u2019s performance. These metrics allow you to spot high-performing carriers and help you see where improvement is needed.<\/p><p>Once you have a scorecard set up, you need to share your conclusions and performance reviews with your carriers regularly. This helps your carrier network know what your expectations are and whether they are meeting them. Transparency and open discussion can even help carriers improve or shift in ways to better meet your business needs. This creates a culture of collaboration and improvement that can vastly improve your network and help you look elsewhere when improvement doesn\u2019t happen.<\/p><p>Scorecards can also prioritize carriers when making <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/qcxrfbcxttgvhnjmqkh544\/107_DAT_iQ_Shipper_Ultimate_Guide_to_RFPs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">procurement and routing decisions<\/a>. When choosing a freight carrier for a specific load or route, you can use scorecards to guide your choices. Instead of a fantasy idea of your carrier relationships, data should dictate your freight allocation strategy. This ensures you always choose carriers based on performance, not just familiarity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-8264a51 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8264a51\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8d9936a\" data-id=\"8d9936a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13febc3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"13febc3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How carrier diversification supports cost, service, and resilience goals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49cbcfa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"49cbcfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>These shifts to your freight carrier strategy can significantly improve your service, cost, and resilience metrics. Carrier diversification helps your business in a number of ways.<\/p><h3>Reduces dependence on a single provider during disruption.<\/h3><p>Diversifying your carrier base helps to reduce the risks that come with relying too heavily on one or two carriers. If service failures, bankruptcies, or seasonal capacity problems arise, a diversified network makes sure you have backup options.<\/p><h3>Improves service by matching freight to the best-fit carrier.<\/h3><p>By taking stock of your carriers based on their strengths and capabilities, as well as data-driven scorecards, you can assign loads to the most appropriate providers for each lane, region, or service type. This leads to better on-time performance, fewer delays, and more reliable service overall.<\/p><h3>Provides leverage in rate negotiations.<\/h3><p>When you have a variety of options and don\u2019t know how to choose a freight carrier, you can look around for the best pricing and terms. Having alternative capacity and options available also gives you an upside in negotiations, which can help you get better rates and conditions, particularly in rapidly changing market conditions.<\/p><h3>Supports more flexible procurement models like mini-bids or lane rebalancing.<\/h3><p>A diverse carrier base gives you more flexibility to implement dynamic procurement strategies including <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/qcxrfbcxttgvhnjmqkh544\/107_DAT_iQ_Shipper_Ultimate_Guide_to_RFPs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mini-bids<\/a> or lane rebalancing. By constantly assessing and adjusting your freight carrier strategy, you can respond more effectively to market changes and optimize your procurement processes to keep your business competitive.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e899132 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e899132\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-narrow\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4fb9d52\" data-id=\"4fb9d52\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6fdc6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d6fdc6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The right freight carrier strategy is a competitive advantage<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6596ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6596ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Static carrier networks are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the fluctuating freight market. Disruptions, capacity changes, and shifts in service levels are all part of the new reality for shippers. To stay competitive, it\u2019s crucial that you continuously monitor, diversify, and optimize your freight carrier strategy.<\/p><p>With a data-driven approach, your freight carrier strategy becomes more resilient, efficient, and cost-effective. You can confidently make carrier decisions using good data and keep your business moving forward.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ab47d5e\" data-id=\"1ab47d5e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6337774b\" data-id=\"6337774b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-487a514e elementor-widget elementor-widget-template\" data-id=\"487a514e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"template.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-template\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"23486\" class=\"elementor elementor-23486\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e34f809 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e34f809\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3b8c533f\" data-id=\"3b8c533f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af9304c elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"af9304c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"btn-back-mobile\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"#\">&lt; Back to resources<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e844479 elementor-hidden-mobile elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e844479\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Share<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76346c8e uael-share-buttons--view-icon elementor-hidden-mobile uael-stylex-inline elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-uael-social-share\" data-id=\"76346c8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;column_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:2,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:1,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:24,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;icon_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;columns&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;column_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;column_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:0,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;button_size_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"uael-social-share.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"uael-style-inline uael-container uael-floating-align-\" data-pin_data_url=\"\" data-share_url_type=\"current_page\" data-share_url=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid uael-floating-align-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on reddit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-reddit\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a  class=\"uael-share-btn-email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"uael-share-btn elementor-animation- uaelbtn-shape-circle uaelbtn--skin-flat\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"uael-share-btn__icon\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45acce61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45acce61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Articles<br><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f8c8d3d elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-1 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"6f8c8d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24713 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24714\" alt=\"shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AdobeStock_287295724-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" >\n\t\t\t\tHow transportation intelligence pays off for shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_case_study_stats_summary\" aria-label=\"Read more about How transportation intelligence pays off for shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24710 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1716\" height=\"990\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24711\" alt=\"shipping costs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1.png 1716w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-300x173.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-1024x591.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-768x443.png 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/shipping-costs-1-1536x886.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1716px) 100vw, 1716px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" >\n\t\t\t\tDAT for Finance Leaders: Why your organization needs DAT shipper solutions\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper_solutions_finance_cfo\" aria-label=\"Read more about DAT for Finance Leaders: Why your organization needs DAT shipper solutions\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24704 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1186\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24705\" alt=\"analytics_stylized\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1.png 1186w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-1024x680.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/analytics_stylized-1-768x510.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1186px) 100vw, 1186px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" >\n\t\t\t\tMeasure What Matters: A straightforward guide to measuring success for shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/measure_what_matters_shipper_metrics\" aria-label=\"Read more about Measure What Matters: A straightforward guide to measuring success for shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24696 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1688\" height=\"1126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24716\" alt=\"DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer.jpg 1688w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/DAT_People_brokers_three_people_looking_at_computer-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" >\n\t\t\t\tDriving Digitalization with DAT iQ: Top Pain Points to Avoid for Supply Chain Digital Transformation\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/digital_transformation_guide\" aria-label=\"Read more about Driving Digitalization with DAT iQ: Top Pain Points to Avoid for Supply Chain Digital Transformation\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-24693 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-uncategorized\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1069\" height=\"747\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-24694\" alt=\"Benchmark Analytics__Shipper Hero Video Screenshot\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1.png 1069w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-300x210.png 300w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-1024x716.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Benchmark-Analytics__Shipper-Hero-Video-Screenshot-1-768x537.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1069px) 100vw, 1069px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" >\n\t\t\t\tBenchmarking 101 for Shippers\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__read-more-wrapper\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/benchmarking_101\" aria-label=\"Read more about Benchmarking 101 for Shippers\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tLEARN MORE   <i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24cddbf6 elementor-section-full_width long-form-faq-sec elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24cddbf6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f72a253\" data-id=\"2f72a253\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1bb4ec7a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1bb4ec7a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-78ddea77\" data-id=\"78ddea77\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d787f22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3d787f22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>FAQs<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-967f81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"967f81\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">A few things you might be asking yourself<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-660c7650\" data-id=\"660c7650\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f27d659 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"4f27d659\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1321\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1321\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What is a freight carrier strategy, and why does it matter for shippers?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1321\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1321\"><p>A freight carrier strategy is your approach to managing and <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.bfldr.com\/8CX31GU6\/as\/ptmqmz8hbfx55qjh4tgfm8\/22Q4-DAT%20iQ-SS_5Strategies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">optimizing relationships with carriers<\/a>. It involves selecting the right carriers, diversifying your network, and aligning your carrier base with your logistics goals. A well-structured carrier strategy is key to navigating market fluctuations, ensuring service reliability, and maintaining cost-efficiency for your business.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1322\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1322\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can shippers evaluate the performance of their carriers?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1322\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1322\"><p>You can evaluate carrier performance by tracking key metrics such as on-time delivery percentage, tender rejection rates, communication responsiveness, and carrier capacity. Using historical service data alongside real-time market comparisons helps you to see carrier strengths and weaknesses. You can use tools like carrier scorecards to see performance trends more easily and take action on them.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1323\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1323\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What tools can help optimize a carrier network?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1323\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1323\"><p>Good carrier network optimization means using tools such as network analytics platforms. These tools help you to see carrier performance, identify capacity gaps, and find ways in which you can improve. Platforms like <a href=\"\/iq\">DAT iQ<\/a> offer real-time and historical data on rates, capacity, and service levels, so you can make the best decisions on carrier selection, routing guides, and procurement strategies.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1324\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1324\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What are the benefits of carrier diversification?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1324\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1324\"><p>Carrier diversification offers several advantages, including reducing risk, adding alternative options for cases of shortfall, improving service levels, increasing your leverage in negotiations, and allows you to adopt more flexible procurement models. Taking this approach both significantly protects you from disruptions while giving you a competitive advantage.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1325\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1325\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How can DAT iQ help shippers strengthen their freight carrier strategy?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1325\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1325\"><p>DAT iQ provides powerful network analytics that help you to optimize your freight carrier strategy. With insights into carrier performance, capacity gaps, and market trends, DAT iQ gives you an overview of your current carrier base, so you can find opportunities for improvement. The platform&#8217;s data-driven approach enables smarter decision-making, so you can build a more resilient, cost-effective, and flexible carrier strategy.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-52aa8374 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"52aa8374\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-35d213e9\" data-id=\"35d213e9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-379e791a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"379e791a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Diversify your carrier network and improve business strategy with DAT iQ<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-31a42cf4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"31a42cf4\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1ad643e6\" data-id=\"1ad643e6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aafedce long-form-quote-sec elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aafedce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Evaluate carrier performance, identify capacity gaps, and uncover new freight partners with <a href=\"\/iq\">DAT iQ<\/a>. If you want to build a smarter, more resilient carrier strategy with real-time and historical insights tailored to your business needs, DAT offers the tools shippers need to get ahead.<\/p><p>Learn more about DAT iQ today!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6bd8bbca\" data-id=\"6bd8bbca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1891c1f5 pricing-boxv2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"1891c1f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t\t\n                \t\t\t                \t\t\t\n\n                \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c8214b7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1c8214b7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e9a6d50\" data-id=\"e9a6d50\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3584b965 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3584b965\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Relevant Products<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-72eae0ce long-form-relevent-prod elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"72eae0ce\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cee6b7f\" data-id=\"cee6b7f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69bc1ad0 product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"69bc1ad0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21534\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ab63f6a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ab63f6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">RateView Analytics<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39963078 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39963078\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Actionable past, present, and future rate insights you can rely on for smarter strategic<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35365b43 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"35365b43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/rateview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-674e9be0\" data-id=\"674e9be0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19f03f4c product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"19f03f4c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-21534\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/d070e6e7-636d-42d5-a71e-24bc0b341e52-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d35a99c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2d35a99c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Network Analytics<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bec371c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1bec371c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Extensive lane and carrier insights for greater visibility and proactive management.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-159ee87d elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"159ee87d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/network-analytics\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2fbda5e9\" data-id=\"2fbda5e9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-263b55ea product-img elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"263b55ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"645\" height=\"774\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-22196\" alt=\"DAT One Card Logo\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1.png 645w, https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/DAT-One-Card-Logo-1-250x300.png 250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 645px) 100vw, 645px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-130df387 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"130df387\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Load Board<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-685ee77f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"685ee77f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Find the right load for the right truck<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3310b8f5 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3310b8f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"\/load-boards\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1bb309b1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1bb309b1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11ede37c\" data-id=\"11ede37c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3b233db5 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3b233db5\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-24454724\" data-id=\"24454724\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fc63070 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5fc63070\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Need more solutions? <br \/>\nTake  a look at everything we have to offer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-277ef9f elementor-align-center elementor-mobile-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"277ef9f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"\/products\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">See All Products<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Freight market uncertainty highlights why relying on a small, fixed group of carriers can create risks. By diversifying networks and using real-time data, shippers can strengthen decision-making.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":24237,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-24145","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-long-form-seo-page"],"acf":{"contentType":"13","enable_arrow_icon":"no_button","featured":"0","releaseDate":"September 19, 2025","solutionProduct":["6"],"segment":"shipper","segment_copy":["shipper"],"topics":["2"],"keywords":"carrier network; carrier strategy; freight market","video_link":"","audio_link":"","header_button_shortcode":"[resource_assets_header_btn]","button_label":"Read More","internalUrl":"","button_target":"_blank","secondary_optional_buttonheader":null,"button_label__detail_page_optional":"","button_link_detailsub_page_bottom_section":"","featured_image_detailsub_page_optional":"","pricing_box":[{"header_title":"DAT iQ","price_prefix":"Turn data into actionable insights","price":"","price_suffix":"","features":"","button_text":"Schedule a Consultation","button_link":"https:\/\/connect.dat.com\/Empower_iQ","additional_info":"<a href=\"\/iq\">Learn more<\/a>","target":"_blank"}],"disclaimer":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24145\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics - Resource Center\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"583\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"457\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"DAT\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"DAT\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"DAT\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/225846e6dbbcef6f2b3806b7004b7161\"},\"headline\":\"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\"},\"wordCount\":2392,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Long form Seo Page\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\",\"name\":\"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00\",\"description\":\"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg\",\"width\":583,\"height\":457,\"caption\":\"A shipper and carrier shaking hands\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/\",\"name\":\"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics - Resource Center\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization\",\"name\":\"DAT Freight & Analytics - Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/DAT-FA-131x22-1-e1648352085142.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/DAT-FA-131x22-1-e1648352085142.png\",\"width\":206,\"height\":35,\"caption\":\"DAT Freight & Analytics - Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/225846e6dbbcef6f2b3806b7004b7161\",\"name\":\"DAT\",\"description\":\"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights derived from 249 million freight matches and a database of $110 billion of market transactions.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/blog\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/author\/datsite\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy","description":"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24145","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy","og_description":"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy","og_site_name":"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics - Resource Center","article_published_time":"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":583,"height":457,"url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"DAT","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"DAT","Est. reading time":"12 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy"},"author":{"name":"DAT","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/225846e6dbbcef6f2b3806b7004b7161"},"headline":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy","datePublished":"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy"},"wordCount":2392,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg","keywords":["Long form Seo Page"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy","url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy","name":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg","datePublished":"2025-09-19T16:04:41+00:00","dateModified":"2025-09-25T11:09:14+00:00","description":"Build a stronger freight carrier strategy with DAT iQ. Use data-driven insights to diversify partners, optimize routing guides, and adapt to market shifts.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/A-shipper-and-carrier-shaking-hands_583x457.jpg","width":583,"height":457,"caption":"A shipper and carrier shaking hands"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/shipper-guide-freight-carrier-strategy#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The shipper\u2019s guide to building a smarter freight carrier strategy"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/","name":"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics - Resource Center","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#organization","name":"DAT Freight & Analytics - Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/DAT-FA-131x22-1-e1648352085142.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dev.dat.com\/resources\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/DAT-FA-131x22-1-e1648352085142.png","width":206,"height":35,"caption":"DAT Freight & Analytics - Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/#\/schema\/person\/225846e6dbbcef6f2b3806b7004b7161","name":"DAT","description":"DAT Freight &amp; Analytics operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights derived from 249 million freight matches and a database of $110 billion of market transactions.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/blog"],"url":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/author\/datsite"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24145"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24145\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24463,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24145\/revisions\/24463"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24237"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}