With more and more people wanting deliveries of food and shopping instantly, the popularity of apps like Uber, the transportation business is booming, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.
If transportation sounds like something you could do and you’re looking to open a new business, here are a few things to consider before you jump right in to make sure your business is the biggest success possible.
Choose Your Market Carefully
As mentioned, within the transportation and driving service industry, there are a number of different markets you could go into. You want to go into something niche but also something that you know is in demand.
Don’t try and offer every driving service possible; it’s better to be more focused and to concentrate on one niche with a targeted customer group where you can provide the most outstanding service.
Make Sure You Have A Business Plan
Once you work out what it is you want to focus on, its time to create a business plan to help you to figure out the steps necessary to get your driving service business started.
This will need to include information about your competition, a financial plan including startup costs, operating costs, expected expenses and income, an operating plan and an overall description of your driving service business.
Get The Necessary Licenses
You’ll need to make sure that you apply for a business license as well as the appropriate driver’s licenses to drive your vehicles. Make sure you add any of these costs into the business plan.
Buy Commercial Insurance
You will also need to purchase commercial auto liability coverage as well as business insurance as this will protect you if a customer issues a complaint regarding your service.
Choose A Location
If you need an office, it doesn’t need to look particularly good, and it doesn’t need to be easy for people to get to. What is essential is a location where there is enough room for your vehicles, and if you’re delivering, you need enough room for loading too.
Equip Yourself And Your Drivers
Of course, you’re going to need vehicles for the business to run, but you will also need to look into things like GPS, communication equipment and a video telematics service such as Lytx which can help you improve safety and productivity.
Recruit Your Team
Now it’s time to recruit your drivers and get going. Your employees should have clean driving records and know their way around the area. Even with satellite navigation today, it’s still important that your employees are familiar with the area.
Promote Your Business
Don’t have a business which no one knows about, make sure you:
- create a website
- print business cards
- sign up for directories and the yellow pages
- put your company’s branding all over your vehicles
- get on social media and let people know you’re there.
Tell people why your service is different or better than any other and why they need to go with you.
Are you ready to start your own transportation business?
