How to Use Notion to Build a CRM + TMS That Actually Works for Freight Ops
Most small logistics teams don’t need an enterprise-level TMS with a 6-month onboarding window and a 5-figure price tag.
What they need is something simple, flexible, and fast—without sacrificing structure.
That’s why I started building CRM and TMS systems in Notion.
Notion gives you the ability to customize workflows, track shipments, manage contacts, and even document SOPs—all in one centralized place. And if you’re not a software engineer or data analyst? It still works.
Here’s how to use Notion to build a freight CRM + TMS that keeps your operation moving.
Why Notion Works for Freight Teams?
Let’s be real, most TMS platforms are either:
• Too big and expensive
• Too limited and rigid
• Or way too confusing for a small team that just needs to book, track, and grow
Notion hits the sweet spot:
• It’s highly customizable
• It integrates with tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Zapier
• It’s user-friendly once it’s built out
• And you can access it from anywhere (desktop or mobile)
It’s not for every operation, but it’s a perfect starting point if you’re trying to get off spreadsheets and build a repeatable process.
What You Can Do with a Notion-Based CRM + TMS?
Here’s a quick breakdown of how small freight teams are using Notion:
1. Manage Shippers & Brokers (CRM Layer)
Track contact info, rate history, preferred lanes, communication logs, and contract details—all in one view.
Add tags like “high margin,” “repeat,” or “payment issues” for easy sorting and follow-up.
2. Track Loads and Projects (TMS Layer)
Each load becomes its own page with:
• Pickup/delivery info
• Assigned carrier
• Rate
• Docs (like rate cons or BOLs)
• Internal notes
You can view by calendar, by client, or by carrier—whatever helps your team move fast.
3. Document SOPs & Internal Processes
Tired of “how we’ve always done it” being the default process?
Use Notion to store step-by-step SOPs, carrier vetting procedures, onboarding checklists, and more—so no knowledge gets lost when your dispatcher takes PTO.
4. Plan Sales & Outreach
Build pipelines for customer outreach, rate follow-ups, or reactivation campaigns.
Assign dates, log calls, and track close rates—without ever needing Salesforce.
Want to Skip the Setup? I Built a Template for That.
If you want to get started today, I’ve packaged up the exact CRM + TMS template I use and recommend to clients:
✅ One-time purchase
✅ Fully customizable
✅ Includes loads, carriers, contacts, SOPs, sales pipelines & more
✅ Comes with my personal support to help you tweak it
👉 Grab the Notion CRM + TMS Template Here
You don’t need to wait until your operation is “big enough” to run smooth systems.
With Notion, you can start building structure now—and scale as you grow.
If your current system is a patchwork of sticky notes, inboxes, and spreadsheets, let’s fix that.
Need help building something custom? I help teams like yours do it every day.