Many companies in different sectors are resorting to delivery services in order to keep their businesses going. Delivery isn’t only limited to the food and catering industry, and plenty of retail establishments are now relying on eCommerce along with other types of services. Setting up a delivery service for your business is fairly straightforward as long as you factor in cost, safety, and ensure your customers are fully aware of how it works. Here are five tips for making the shift to delivery for your small business.
Safety first
Whether you’re using cars, trucks, or bikes, safety for your drivers should always be your first priority. Invest in the right training and equipment for your team. You could consider adding a dash cam for fleets to the vehicle or holding regular training sessions on safety. Ensure your drivers aren’t working long shifts and aren’t at risk from driving tired. Carefully plan your routes and set a maximum distance and delivery times with your drivers in mind.
Get the news out there
Now that you’ve branched out into delivery services, whether it’s take out service for your restaurant or shipping for your brick and mortar store, you need to let your customers know. Make the most of online communication channels such as your website, email marketing, and social media. Offering delivery will give your business a new edge, so you need to get the news out there.
Calculate the costs
Carefully calculate the costs of your new delivery service alongside any potential profit increase. You might want to restrict delivery to certain times or locations, and you need to budget for investing in commercial vehicles and delivery staff. Here is a quick guide on how to estimate delivery costs for small businesses.
Make a delivery plan
Think about how you can make delivery both feasible and profitable. This may mean undertaking a deep analysis of your target demographic, their location, and the most common products they order. Consider the logistics of setting up a delivery service, for example, you could limit your delivery inventory to items that are easier to deliver, or change your menu to a more realistic take out option. It depends on the type of business that you run. As your business grows, you can expand your delivery options.
Update details on your website
Your website is the first place your potential customers will go looking for delivery products or services. In order to reduce returns, post plenty of details about your products in the form of pictures, descriptive copy, and be very transparent about delivery costs. Make your website as user friendly as possible and offer clear information. Include a strong call to action and even promos and discounts to encourage more customers to opt for your delivery services.
With a bit of organization and planning, you can successfully add delivery to your services. Research the competition and find out what will work best in your sector. Setting up delivery services will open doors for your business.
