If you wish to launch a startup that requires minimal capital investments, a small delivery company might be just the thing for you. You get to be your own boss, profits are easily made, and you have the freedom to run in any way you like, without the need to reinvent the wheel.

The equipment isn’t expensive, your experience and education won’t matter, and you can have numerous potential clients as your company grows. However, some good communication skills may be needed. Another advantage of a delivery business is that you can manage and operate it from your home, which lowers overhead costs.

Here are several tips to get you started.

Develop a budget

Any kind of a business model needs a business plan. However, since you will likely work from your home, your business plan will mostly focus on financial costs and needs. Decide the manner for charging your customers.

Build a basic payment for your delivery services and either charge rate per hour or rate per mile. On average, couriers that use light vehicles – like trucks or cars – make about $27 per hour. Remember that you will have to add the costs of fuel or mileage surcharges for longer delivery routes.

After you find out how your income will work, you will need to estimate your costs. Don’t forget about:

• Possible liability insurance

• Marketing costs

• Car insurance

• Cargo insurance

• Fuel expenses

• Vehicle maintenance

If there is a plan to expand your business, add more employees or vehicles to your delivery service and create profit goals in accordance with this.

Find your Niche

There are numerous niche markets that have a need for viable delivery services. This is precisely where a small delivery service company can create its success story. One crucial element of the business is the delivery of cargo.

Both small and big companies require transportation of their inventories, hence, they need a reliable delivery service for it. For this, you will need a driver’s license of class 2 and above.

When you determine the niche for your delivery service, it is easier to build a reputation, concentrate your advertising efforts and encourage referrals. Everything starts with selecting a business name.

If you discover a business with a similar name, you will need to change your own so you don’t confuse the customers. For a name, choose something that is concise, unique and memorable.

Trucks, vans, and equipment

When you determine your niche and what kind of deliveries your company will handle, you will need to select a vehicle that has appropriate cargo space. For delivering goods, like medical inventory, small items or paperwork, a transit or cargo van will suffice while larger deliveries like furniture transport require box trucks.

There is a large market for used and new trucks and vans. You can obtain capital for such investments through a local bank or automotive dealership. However, if you don’t want to borrow money or spend too much of your own, you can contact truck rental companies like Budget Truck Rental services. Renting trucks is a much cheaper and safer option for many delivery services.

Your delivery company will also need an additional inventory, like dollies, padding or straps for securing cargo. These items usually don’t come with the vehicle you selected, so make sure you include them in your business budget estimation. If your delivery service handles only small cargo, a compact car or SUV could be an affordable option.

In conclusion, we bring you another extra pro tip. Although trucks and equipment are necessary, a business cannot be successful without big marketing efforts behind it. How would you otherwise attract potential clients?

Letting people know about your business is a crucial step for any delivery service startup. Let everyone know you’re opening a new business through social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Create a website for your business so that people can find you online.

You can also market via local small businesses. Stop in person and let them know that if they have customers that need help transporting items, your company stands at the ready. This means creating some business cards or flyers you can leave behind. Follow these basic tips and you will be well on your way to create a successful delivery service.