No matter the type of business you are operating or plan to launch, the success of it hinges a lot on the understanding of the business. You have to know the ins and outs if you want everything to run smoothly, and ultimately make a name for yourself in the industry.
When it comes to starting your own moving company, just as with every other business really, there are some things you need to do to increase your chances of making a success out of it.
You might be prone to think that launching a moving company requires a significant outlay channeled towards huge commercial trucks, or if you are envisioning doubling up as a storage company, large storage facilities to store all the customer belongings.
The key, though, is to start smart and slowly work yourself to the top.
Create a business plan
Irrespective of the type of business you are running, you will find yourself bogged down without a solid business plan.
A good business plan will be at the heart of your moving business, so take time and draft one that addresses everything from the financing, to the target market, to the actual marketing, growth strategy etc.
Include some of the standard components of a business plan, but also factor in the elements that make it work for your budding business. Determine whether you want to be a full-service company or offer labor-only services.
Considering the moving industry today is swamped with moving businesses, it is important to not only consider expanding your service offering, but also getting clear on what makes you unique.
Approve moving and transportation permits
It doesn’t matter which state you’re in, you’ll need the necessary permits to start a moving company, although the requirements will vary from one state to the next.
Permits are legal authorizations that will separate you from some briefcase operation, and depending on the type of company you plan to launch, you might need to apply for some additional permits in addition to the usual.
The best place to start if you want information on registration and licensing would be the US Department of Transportation.
Prepare a budget
Budgets will vary depending on the size of the operation you want to run.
· Purchase moving equipment
You don’t have to go out and buy large moving trucks all at a go. You could start with a van or smaller truck, or if the funds are limited, rent one to start with.
If you already own a pickup truck or van, most of your initial costs will go towards moving equipment.
You need to invest in mover dollies, pads (aka moving blankets), furniture belts, ropes, packing and wrapping materials. It might also be a good idea to get an inventory of different moving boxes to start.
· Get insurance
Don’t underestimate the importance of liability and cargo insurance when starting your company. You need both vehicle and cargo insurance.
Get in touch with an insurance agency to have them arrange a sensible coverage for damages and liability.
Some states specify the minimum legal amount of vehicle and cargo insurance you’re supposed to have, so confirm this with your insurance agent or state agent.
· Advertise your business
With the background work out of the way, the onus is on your to find ways to get your name out there.
This starts with branding – good name for your company, logo, branding on company trucks and gear like t-shirts and so on – and also includes other promotional tools like building a good website and establishing relationships with other industry stakeholders like real estate agents.
Decide on the best advertising approach to adopt. Ideally, this will include a mix of both offline and online strategies.
In addition to becoming, say, one of the accredited BBB moving companies and other popular associations, you also need to come up with a digital marketing plan since a large percentage of the audience these days is doing their search for movers on online platforms.
You might also want to consider purchasing moving leads if you want to have a headstart.
In Closing
In addition to the above basics, there are some other important things that a mover looking to make inroads in the market needs to keep in mind.
For example, consider getting mover training for you and your staff. Some sales training might be essential too. Most importantly, though, remember that your biggest selling point will be the quality of your service._
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