If you are thinking of setting up your own courier business, it’s important that you know what you’re doing. Whether you’re new to the delivery industry, or you’ve had experience working for a courier company, being in the know and having the right tools and knowledge behind you is crucial. Starting any type of business can be daunting, so here are some useful tips to help get your courier business off the ground and running.
Create a Business Plan
No matter what field your business is in, you will need to have a business plan in place. Having a clear vision of how you will make money, what your goals and objectives are, and how your company will operate on a day to day basis is key to a good business plan. The more preparation you do, the more chance you have of your courier business taking off.
Get Your Vehicle
Once you have created your business plan, you will need to work out whether to lease or buy your delivery vehicle. Finding a vehicle that’s reliable and safe should be your number one priority. If you choose to purchase a vehicle, it’s important that you have it checked out by a mechanic. Also, make sure that you note down vehicle depreciation in your business plan.
Organise Office Space
If you decide to create an office in your home, you will need to contact your local council to confirm whether you’re legally allowed to run the business from your home. If you would prefer to rent office space, there are various factors to take into consideration, such as the location of the premises, and the cost.
Purchase Equipment and Materials
If you haven’t got the right materials and equipment for your courier company, it’s likely that you won’t go very far. Having the right tools in place such as a mobile phone, two-way radios (if you plan to hire more than one employee) as well as office supplies is important. You may want to also buy petrol cards for your employees which will enable them to track their petrol usage.
Have a Marketing Strategy
As with any business, your main objective is to attract as many customers and clients to your company as possible. Spreading awareness of your services can only be a good thing, so creating your own business cards, letters, and postcards that you can send out to prospective clients can be a huge help. Also, attending local trade shows, and being active on social media can be another great way to interact with potential customers.
Begin Hiring
The hiring process can be a stressful experience. It’s only natural that you will want to find the right people for the job, so to give you reassurance that you’ve made the right decision, there are various steps that you will need to take, such as conducting a credit check and criminal background check on potential candidates. It’s also important that every employee has a clean driving record, as well as reliable transportation if they plan to use their own vehicle.
Delivery Options
You will need to work out whether you plan to offer a variety of deliver options, such as an overnight service or one-hour delivery. You will also need to identify the size and type of materials you plan to deliver which will help ensure they can fit in your company vehicle.
Develop a Pricing Structure
Doing some research into competitors in the market can be beneficial. If you’re new to the courier world, it’s likely that you won’t have much knowledge on how much things cost, so developing a pricing structure that’s fair and reliable will help when it comes to building your customer base. For example, you may want to consider charging less for letter delivery than you would for heavier packages. If you are offering on the day or next day delivery, you should factor in the time and effort it will take to deliver this kind of service.
Have the Right Insurance
As a courier business, it’s crucial that you have the right insurance in place. If you are renting office space, you will need to take out contents insurance to ensure your premises are safe. If you are responsible for insuring a range of different vehicles, you may want to consider taking out a fleet insurance policy. To help you find the right deal, Quotezone may be able to help you. Checking out their website can give you more information on the different types of insurance providers, allowing you to compare them to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Creating an effective business plan, finding the right vehicle for your courier business, getting office space to accommodate you and your team, as well as purchasing the right equipment and materials are just a few key tips that you need to take on board before launching your courier company.
