How to Start Your Own Courier Business

Have you made becoming your own boss your resolution for 2019? Do you want to work your own hours and build financial independence for yourself? If so, you might want to consider starting your own courier service.  

Of course, it’s never easy getting any sort of startup in any type of industry off the ground, but this is a field of business that is simpler to get to grips with than most. If you make good decisions initially with regards to it, as the upfront costs are relatively low, you could easily find yourself making a lot of money in the long run if you start a courier business. 

To see what needs to be done in such a venture, consider the following tips: 

Invest in some reliable transport

Trying to start a courier business without reliable transport is like trying to become a chef without owning an oven. You simplycannot do it. You must invest in a reliable source of transportation if you are to stand any chance of being a courier, as that is the only way you are going to be able to deliver what you need to deliver by the deadlines imposed on you to do so.

 Get kitted out with the right equipment

You’re also going to need a number of different pieces of equipment if you’re going to make your business as efficient and as professional as it can possibly be — by kitting yourself out correctly, you’ll also protect yourself against the back pain lugging boxes around causes. 

The exact pieces of equipment that you choose to invest in depends entirely on what items you will be couriering, distributing, and dispatching. Quite simply, the bigger the packages, the bigger and sturdier your equipment needs to be. For small boxes, a dolly, hand truck trolly, or sack truck is what is needed— for bigger goods, such as furniture, you’re going to need specialised dollies, cargo straps, and moving blankets.

Insure your business

In the courier industry, the potential for unforeseen accidents to occur is always high. You could be carrying a customer’s item and trip on something in their driveway, for instance, and break the goods as a result. For this reason, taking out appropriate insurance is absolutely essential.

You’re going to need to take out liability insurance, as this will protect you should you, in fact,break a person’s item through no fault of your own. More importantly, however, you’re going to need to take out courier insurance. This will see you and your vehicle covered with regards to everything from Goods In Transit to breakdown cover.

 Market your services

 There’s a lot of competition out there in the couriering industry, which is why you need to market your services proficiently. For the most part, you’re going to need to need to market your services to other businesses — one of the best ways to target business owners today is to use Google AdWords. This self-serve platform will allow you to target potential customers based on their interests, demographics, and location.