Starting your own delivery company is exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also be a bit of a whirlwind. There’s a lot to juggle and it can feel like every decision needs to be made right now. But don’t worry. You don’t need to do everything at once.
Focus on getting a few key things right and the rest will follow. Whether you’re delivering food, parcels, furniture or flowers, here are the things you really want to prioritise when getting your delivery business off the ground.
Start With A Simple Business Plan
You don’t need to go over the top with this. It’s just about getting a clear idea of what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for. Think of it as a basic guide to help keep you focused. Who are your customers? What are you delivering? How far are you willing to go – literally and figuratively? What will set you apart from others doing something similar?
You don’t have to write pages and pages. A couple of notes jotted down in a way that makes sense to you is a great start. The important bit is that you come back to it now and then and tweak things as you grow. Your first plan isn’t set in stone.
Sort Out Your Budget Early On
This one’s boring but necessary. If your money management is a bit chaotic, you’ll end up stressed and scrambling. Start with a simple budget and stick to it as best you can. Work out how much you need for your vehicles, fuel, insurance, marketing, and maybe even wages if you’re hiring someone to help.
There are loads of free tools online that can help with this, or you can just use a spreadsheet. Track everything. Even those little expenses add up quicker than you think. Keeping your finances in check from day one will make a huge difference later on.
Get Your Pricing Right
Pricing can feel tricky at first. You don’t want to charge too much and scare people off, but you also don’t want to undersell yourself and end up working for nothing. A good starting point is to check out what other local delivery companies charge. Don’t just copy them though. Think about your own costs and time.
Are you offering same-day delivery? Are you covering a wide area? If so, your prices might need to be a bit higher than someone just doing local runs. Be honest about what makes your service valuable. And don’t forget to include things like waiting time, heavy lifting, or fuel costs in your pricing structure.
Make Sure You’re Insured
This is one of those things people often leave until the last minute, but it really needs to be sorted upfront. Things go wrong sometimes. Accidents happen. If your van gets damaged or a parcel goes missing, you don’t want to be footing the bill yourself.
Look for insurance that’s made for delivery businesses. There are even specialists in fleet vehicle cover who can help you make sure everything is properly protected. It’s worth the extra effort because it gives you peace of mind, and that’s priceless when you’re running around with a hundred things on your plate.
Keep Your Vehicles In Good Shape
Your vehicle is your business. If it breaks down, everything grinds to a halt. So even if it’s just you and your own van for now, keep it well maintained. Get regular services, keep the tyres checked, and don’t ignore those little warning lights.
If you’re running more than one vehicle or planning to grow your fleet, try to stay consistent with the types of vehicles you use. That way, maintenance is easier and your team won’t have to learn how to drive a different van every time they’re on shift.
Make Deliveries Easy For Your Customers
The easier you make it for people, the more likely they are to use you again. Keep your delivery windows clear and stick to them. If you say you’ll deliver between 10 and 12, aim to actually be there in that window. If something comes up and you’re going to be late, let them know.
Adding simple things like text updates or email alerts can really improve the experience. Even just sending a message saying “I’m five minutes away” helps people feel looked after. Good communication makes a big difference.
Hire Carefully If You’re Growing
If you’re getting to the point where you need an extra pair of hands, don’t rush the process. The right person can make your life so much easier, but the wrong one can cause chaos. It’s not just about whether they can drive or lift boxes. You want someone who shows up on time, treats customers with respect, and doesn’t cut corners.
Have a proper chat with anyone you’re thinking of hiring. Even if it’s a casual role to start with, get a feel for how reliable and professional they are. And make sure they’re covered under your insurance if they’re driving one of your vehicles.
Use Tech To Stay Organised
There’s a lot of helpful tech out there for delivery businesses now. From route planning apps to order tracking and payment systems, there’s no reason to be doing everything manually. These tools can save you a lot of time, and time is something you won’t have much of once things get busy.
Start simple. Use a free route planner to figure out the best way to get around. Try a delivery management app that lets you log orders and track deliveries. Once you’ve found tools that work for you, stick with them. Consistency makes everything smoother.
Don’t Forget About Branding
Even if it’s just you and a van, you still want to look the part. People are much more likely to trust a delivery driver who looks professional. A clean van with your logo on it, a decent uniform or branded t-shirt, and maybe even a card or flyer to hand out can go a long way.
If you’re online, which you definitely should be, make sure your branding carries over to your website and social pages too. You don’t need a fancy logo, just something clean and clear. The key is to be recognisable and reliable.
Customer Service Matters
At the end of the day, you’re not just delivering stuff. You’re delivering a service. How you treat your customers is just as important as how fast you get their parcels to them. A smile, a thank you, a quick update if something goes wrong – it all counts.
Word of mouth is huge in this industry. If someone has a good experience, they’ll tell people. If they have a bad one, they’ll tell even more. So make customer service one of your top priorities from day one.
Plan Ahead But Stay Flexible
Finally, things don’t always go to plan. Traffic happens. Routes change. Customers cancel. The best thing you can do is stay calm and be ready to adapt. Having a backup plan or two makes a big difference. Keep spare packaging in your van, have alternative routes saved, and give yourself a bit of breathing space between deliveries if you can.
At the same time, think about where you want your business to go. Do you want to stay small and local, or expand into different areas? Do you want to offer more services, like furniture assembly or scheduled pickups? You don’t need all the answers now, but having a rough idea helps you make better decisions along the way.
