These days, couriers are in heavy demand with the boom in online shopping and people buying much more online than ever before. This means that starting a courier business could be a lucrative business venture, plus many find this work to be enjoyable and can provide a good work-life balance. So, how can you go about starting your own courier business?
Research
As with any new business venture, it all starts with market research. You need to understand the different types of courier work that is available, what you need to get started and how you can start attracting customers. This should include researching who your competitors will be in your local area and how you will stand out from the crowd.
Permissions
You will want everything to be above board when you start, so it is important that you register your business (most are self-employed) and ensure that you have a clean driving license. There are no formal qualifications but it is worth joining a professional body, such as the NCDA.
Vehicle
Obviously, a vehicle is essential for this type of business and it is important that you have a reliable vehicle with plenty of storage space. The new Citroen C4 is a good option worth looking at because it has plenty of interior space, it is practical and easy to drive.
Equipment
In terms of equipment, there are a few items that will help you to thrive as a courier. This includes a sat-nav system, storage boxes, ratchet straps and a pallet tool for delivering heavy items.
Plan
As with any business, it is important to have a business plan in place. This will outline the key information about your courier business, including the executive summary, market analysis, marketing and sales information and financial projections. This business plan can help you to steer the business in the right direction and could be used to secure funding if required.
Costs
Leading on from this, you need to outline your costs and determine how you will afford these. For this type of business, this includes a vehicle and running costs, equipment, business insurance, staff if hiring, marketing and any other related costs.
Acquire
One option instead of going through the process of starting your own new courier business is to acquire an existing one. This is beneficial because you will already have market share, a customer base and brand recognition that will make it easier to find success.
These are the key steps to take if you want to start your own courier business. This could be a profitable business venture in today’s day and age, plus many people find this work to be enjoyable and vastly different to a typical office-based role.
