How to start a delivery businesss

There are thousands of people who for different reasons can’t complete even simple tasks such as going out to run errand. Such people always rely on others in order for important part of their needs to people fulfilled.

If you are an outgoing person and like driving around and dealing with people, the errand business is perfect for you. There are many people out there waiting for your service.
One good thing about the errand business is that it is easy to start. You also have a long list of customers to service once you have introduced yourself in the market.

Your potential clients include among others dry cleaners, post offices, banks, department stores, grocery store, etc.

The start-up costs for an errand business are also fairly low. You only need a reliable car and a cell phone to get started.

Once you have these in place you can offer clients in your community a fast and convenient delivery and/or pickup services. The services you can provide include dry cleaning, fast foods, medications, event tickets, groceries, pet foods, flowers or just about anything else imaginable.

One advantage about the delivery business is that it is easy to expand. Once the business is established you can even stop doing the deliveries on your own and hire other drivers with their own vehicles to handle the pickups and deliveries on a revenue-split basis.

It is up to you to decide how are going compensate them for their services.

If you happen to use the services of subcontracted drivers you must make sure that you maintain your communication with your clients as it sometimes happen that the people you hire for such services end up taking your customers and start their own businesses.

The only way to stop that from happening is keeping communication with your clients live.

Subcontracting your errand services will give time to put your marketing and management skills to work. It will give you time to concentrate on promoting your services and securing new customers.

To make the operation more effective, you install two-way radios in each vehicle linked to a central dispatcher. This will limit downtime and non-productive travel time.

But for you to be successful in this business, you will need to make more marketing and advertising for your services.  You need to make those first clients aware that are in business and what is it that they can get from you.
You must use any medium that within your reach and affordable to sell your service. Use promotional fliers, newspapers and direct-mail coupons if you can. One way of selling your service is to strike deals with restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores and other retailers. Offer to do their deliveries at a minimal fee.

To make more money, you don’t have to limit your service to businesses only. You must also sell your service to individuals.

Many people don’t have cars and therefore rely on taxis for every move they make. Think about how uncomfortable it is to carry groceries and be using public transport ie taxis.

Taxis are so expensive and difficult to travel with when carrying a bunch of groceries. If you can introduce this kind of service some people can make use of your errand or delivery business when preparing for bigger functions.

The vehicle you use must be reliable and it must be able to carry huge loads but not eat up your profits because of poor gas mileage.

It also must be able to shelter groceries and other goods from bad weather. It needs to be in perfect running condition, with good tires and upgraded insurance.

To be always on the safe side you must make sure you have enough cash to cover basically any set of orders. You won’t always find customers who will pay you in advance. Others will only pay you when you arrive with their orders.

It is therefore important, to make sure you state your terms, on the phone, the first time they call you. If you won’t take checks state that in advance to prevent a misunderstanding later.