In a world where people are starting up new business ventures every day, it can be hard to find your niche. As a rule, it is best to align yourself with something your customers will always need, such as food production, clothing, or transportation.
Another good area to get on board with is the haulage business—as long as people are buying goods, they will need them to be transported. From choosing the best warehouse consultant to streamlining your staff, here are the top tips to help you start your own haulage company, and head towards your first million!
Choose Your Type of Business
The haulage business is divided into two main types: forwarding and brokerage. Forwarding businesses are responsible for taking freight from customers, holding it in their warehouse or facility, and organizing the transport of the goods to their final destination. This may also involve the business using their trucks to transport the foods.
Brokerage companies are more like go-betweens, working with clients and transporters to find the best deal for both, and taking a commission cut from the deal in return for their efforts. There are pros and cons to both situations, and you will need to consider these carefully when starting.
Choose A Niche
The haulage industry is a busy one, as many entrepreneurs have picked up on the potential profit which is available. To help you stand out from the crowd, it is a good idea to pick a niche to specialize in and market yourself to the businesses and customers who work here and require this service.
This gives your clients confidence in your abilities.They know they will be speaking to an expert in their field, who is familiar with the product and the restrictions and requirements which come with it. As you grow and expand, you will have the option to branch out into more areas, but it is a good idea to specialize at the start.
Check Out The Paperwork
Starting any type of business involves rules, regulations, and paperwork, but this is especially true when starting a haulage company. Depending on your niche, you may need to obtain certain permits and licenses to transport your goods, and it is important to have these in place before you begin working. You should also check whether you and your team require any qualifications or certifications, and make sure these are valid when you start operating.
Check Out Your Staff
You will also need to consider any staff you take on, and ensure that these are all trained and qualified. Depending on the nature of your company, this may involve drivers, warehouse operatives and even staff to liaise with potential clients.
Start Getting Clients
Once you have everything in place, it is time to start finding some clients. A lot of business in this industry occurs by word of mouth, so make sure your name is well known to anyone who may require your services. Once you are in business, the world is your oyster!