So, You Want To Start A Courier Business?

Are you thinking about starting a courier business because the idea of being on the road all day actually sounds alright? Maybe you like driving, maybe you’re bored of your current job, or maybe you’ve just noticed how busy delivery vans seem to be and thought there must be money in it. You’re not wrong, but before you dive in, it helps to know what the reality looks like so there are no surprises later on.

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The Day to Day

Courier work is simple, but it’s full on. You’ll be driving a lot, often starting early and sometimes finishing later than planned. Traffic will slow you down, addresses won’t always make sense, and plans will change at the last minute. If you like keeping busy and don’t mind your days looking different every time, that can actually be a good thing. If you prefer quiet days and knowing exactly how things will go, it can get frustrating fast.

The Setup

Getting started isn’t complicated, but it does need doing properly. You’ll need a vehicle that suits the type of work you want to do, not just whatever is cheapest. Insurance is a big one too, because normal car insurance won’t cover courier work. You’ll also need to decide how you’re setting the business up and get that sorted early. It’s boring, but it matters. If you leave it vague or put it off, it usually comes back to bite you once money starts moving around and you’re trying to keep up with work at the same time.

Organisation

Once you’re doing more than a few deliveries a day, things can get messy if you’re not paying attention. Missed drops and late updates cause problems fast. Even small courier setups need some way to keep track of routes and jobs so nothing gets forgotten. Some businesses use Amazon DSP management software when they’re dealing with bigger delivery contracts, mainly because it keeps everything in one place. You don’t need anything fancy, but you do need a system that works for you.

Work

At the start, work can be hit and miss. You might have busy days followed by quiet ones and that’s normal. Some people go through delivery networks, others knock on doors and speak to local businesses. Local work often sticks if you’re reliable. Turn up, do what you said you’d do, and don’t mess people about. That’s usually enough to keep work coming back.

Money

The money side can look good until you actually add everything up. Fuel, repairs, insurance, and tax all come out of what you earn. If you don’t keep an eye on it, you can stay busy while not really making much. Knowing your numbers early helps you avoid that and makes it easier to spot which jobs are worth your time.

Later on

Some people are happy running one van and keeping life simple. Others want to grow and take on more work and more drivers. There’s no right answer. It depends on how much responsibility you want and how much time you want back. A courier business can work well if you build it in a way that suits you, not someone else.