How to Start a Box Truck Business

A box truck company is a business that could be a good earner for someone who wants to work hard and also be on the move all the time. No two days can be the same in a box truck business. So in this article, we look at how to start a box truck business with ease.

Why Start a Box Truck Business

There are numerous reasons why you would want to start a box truck business. For instance, you might consider starting a box truck business to be your own boss. But there are other roles you could do. Therefore, you might want to consider the real motivations.

You might enjoy driving, or you don’t want a job that is mundane and boring. Or perhaps you have a talent for shipping goods over a long or short distance and keeping it safe.

Some have watched Shipping Wars and other programs on television and thought that looks like fun. Whatever the reason, there is a demand. Small couriers can make lots of money by being reliable and offering a good service with good rates. And you can meet lots of interesting people along the way.

There are also numerous pathways to revenue that you can take. You could be a large item delivery driver, collecting furniture or something from a store and delivering it to the buyer. Or you can help people move home. Alternatively, you can help people move items across the country.

You might also consider doing a range of activities, therefore, no two days will ever be the same and so you won’t get bored. Plus it allows you to follow the money.

What are the Disadvantages of a Box Truck Business

However, there are a few disadvantages. For example, you are very dependent on the vehicle for your business. This can be a pain if the vehicle breaks down or gets damaged. Therefore, you need to consider carefully whether you can afford to repair the vehicle.

There is also the matter of costs and running the business. You will be on the road all day. Therefore, you will need to manage the administration aspect of the business in the evenings or hire someone to help you out. A personal PA can be rather expensive.

In addition, there are high costs to running a box truck business. The average cost for a box truck can be somewhere between $10,000 and $15,000 then you have insurance, fuel, and more. Costs can be in the $1000-$2000 a month. So you need a lot of revenue per month to cover your costs.

Box Truck Business Statistics

Here are some of the statistics that you would need to make a success of your box truck business.

• 70% of the goods in the US are shipped using small box truck businesses.
• The US has seen a steady 4.5% growth in the revenues for box truck businesses.
• There are 13 million trucks on the US roads delivering goods.
• Only one in nine truck drivers works independently.
• Profit margins are low, with profit margins as low as 4.8%.
• The average driver will earn about 30 cents per mile driven.
• The truck industry consumes 53.9 billion gallons of fuel per year.
• Out of all the accidents on the road involving truck drivers, only 16% are deemed the fault of the truck driver.
• Tires account for more than 50% of problems that tuck drivers experience on the road.

How to Start a Box Truck Business

So here are the instructions on how to start a box truck business.

Step 1 – Choose your Niche

The first thing that you’re going to need to decide is your niche. Are you going to help people move homes, are you going to ship products across the world or are you going to do a mixture of roles? There is so much that you can do that there is an endless choice.

If you have enough funds you might want to consider not driving and instead rent out your Box Trucks. It all depends on your specific needs.

It is important to consider that you need to look at what is on offer in your local area and try to create something completely different from that. You want to have a service that is needed and not be a voice in a crowded market, which can sometimes happen. You also need to be sure that your business can be sustainable and is something that you like.

Step 2 – Choose a Business Name

Now you need to choose a business name for your box truck business. There are numerous ways that you can come up with an original name. You need a name that no one in the local area is going to be using or your audience can think of. Therefore, you need to do a business name search, Google search, and check on social media and other platforms to ensure that you’re not going to copy another name.

Remember that you can always use a business name generator to help you generate lots of potential business names for you to use.

Step 3 – Register Your Business

You’re going to need to register your business for you to operate. It is highly recommended to register your business as an LLC. This offers your personal property protection from being seized should your business run into debt. It also allows you to talk to suppliers and investors and get rates from them. Therefore, there are lots of benefits to starting an LLC.

However, you should also consider registering your business online with a good domain name, social media, and even selling platforms. You will also need to get your insurance going.

Step 4 – Build Website

Now you need to build a website. Once you’ve registered the domain name, find somewhere to host the website. It is highly recommended to use a platform like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix. These platforms are perfect for trucking businesses.

Another thing that you will need to do is to get your website optimized for SEO. This can be a long process, but something that will help you to generate leads on your website. Part of this process is building backlinks to your website and doing a regular business blog.

Remember that it can take up to six months for your website to rank high. Google does impose a new domain penalty on your domain.

Step 5 – Marketing

Now you need to market your business. Blogging on your website will help as it can improve your website visibility and is something that Google encourages. Another option is to talk to people on social media and at business networking events.

Final Word: How to Start a Box Truck Business

Starting a box truck business is one of the most exciting times for you. However, you will need to get ready for it quickly, patiently, and with resolve. Be sure that you have all the assets in place, including a good name, a business website, and the drive to sell. Good luck with your new venture.