Couriers are in demand around the globe like never before. The internet shopping age had already increased the demand, but after lockdowns were imposed around the world and people started working from home much more, the demand for courier services dramatically rose.
So, now is the ideal time to begin a courier business side hustle. However, there are other things to think about besides the high demand for deliveries. Let us take a closer look at whether starting a side hustle courier business is actually worth it.
Running a One-person Courier Business
As a side hustle, you may not want to lease a depot and purchase a large fleet of vans. Instead, you can work solo.
All you need is your own vehicle. Okay, you also need to cover costs like vehicle insurance, fuel, and route planning software, but the outlay for a solo courier business can be very small. If you already have your own transportation, that is one major cost already taken care of.
You should consider becoming an independent contractor courier, in which you work on behalf of one or more companies and are paid by delivery, by day, or per mile. Alternatively, you can find your own customers.
So, if you are looking to earn a pretty good additional salary, becoming a courier can be worth it. Just as importantly, running a solopreneur courier business can be very flexible, so it is ideal as a side hustle.
Running a Courier Business with Employees
If you intend to run a courier business in which employees do all the driving, you need to approach it as you would any serious business.
That means coming up with an effective business plan that includes things like strategies, costs, and forecasts. It also means leasing premises, getting insurance, buying vehicles, employing drivers and other members of staff, and much more.
Unlike running a one-person operation, running a courier business with multiple employees can be a significant financial investment. It also requires a significant amount of your time if you want it to be successful.
Often it is not worth setting up a courier business with multiple employees if you are intending the operation to simply be a side hustle. It is sure to take up more time and energy than you think.
However, if you have large amounts of capital and experience in the industry, you could go ahead with this type of business.
Consider the Type of Transportation You Will Use
Setting up a courier business with multiple employees becomes easier if you forget the delivery van option and instead start up a cycle courier service. It will be a lot cheaper too.
So, before you begin coming up with a business plan, determine what type of transportation you will use. You could make deliveries in trucks, vans, cars, motorcycles, or bicycles.
Of course, the vehicle you choose will determine things like the sizes of packages you can deliver and how quickly you can deliver packages. By identifying the right mode of transport, you can make your side hustle courier business a success.
Consider the Types of Items You Will Deliver
You also need to identify what type of deliveries you intend to make. You could be limited by your vehicle choice.
Types of deliveries include standard packages, oversized packages, food takeaways, and specialized deliveries like medical supplies and legal documentation. By choosing the right niche, you can make your side hustle courier business worthwhile.
Summing Up
Is starting a side hustle courier business worth it? Yes, it is. However, it all comes down to how much time and energy you want to devote to it. Figure that out and you can find the right route for you.
