How to Start A Delivery Business?

By Hyperlocal Cloud

July 20, 2023

How to Start A Delivery Business?

Moving your operations online will help you grow your business, whether you already have a delivery business or plan to open your new business. Every emerging business concept shares a common concern: how to start a delivery business online?

To start an online delivery service, you need nothing more than a brilliant idea, the right technology, motivation, some direction and guidance to start it up and running.

You have a lot on your plate managing your technological assets, company structure, revenue model, delivery app, and more. So, whether you're just getting started or have years of experience, we are here to answer your questions about starting a delivery business.

But before exploring the steps to start an online delivery business, here are some of the best profitable delivery business ideas you can pursue.

Types of Delivery Businesses

Here are a few recommended service-based businesses to consider initiating.

Grocery Delivery

Consumers today opt to have their daily essentials delivered to their homes rather than picking them up themselves, leading to a rise in the popularity of online grocery delivery businesses. Statista predicts that the United States will see online grocery shopping making up 20.5% of the market by 2026. You can easily enter the grocery delivery industry. All you need to do is develop a grocery delivery app or platform. Local grocery stores can list their products on the app and start selling.

To Illustrate: Companies like AmazonFresh have recently partnered with local grocery stores, disrupting the supply chain. AmazonFresh works with independent supermarkets to deliver to customers' homes. Other companies, like Walmart and Instacart provide similar grocery delivery services.

Food Delivery Business

The delivery of food is a potentially lucrative business idea. Investing in this idea will undoubtedly pay off handsomely, as it is one of the most rapidly expanding industries. Statista's annual reports predict that the platform-to-consumer market will be worth $291.10 billion by 2027. The growth rate is 8.24% per year. Food delivery apps have the largest user groups: millennials and GenZ. Reports indicate that 81.75% of millennials and GenZ members place weekly online food orders.

Considering this, starting a food delivery business will likely have a bright future.

The popularity of food delivery services like DoorDash and SkipTheDishes has skyrocketed. These food delivery apps are the go-to business plan for restaurants because it eliminates the need for them to hire delivery drivers.

Also Read: How To Start An Online Food Delivery Business?

Meal Kit Delivery Service

The concept behind meal kit delivery is simple yet smart. Meal kit service providers will send you a box of pre-packaged, sometimes partially-prepared ingredients and a recipe. Pre-packaged meal kits contain everything you need to prepare a meal. You can prepare a meal using ingredients and recipes in 30 or 40 minutes. Meal kit delivery businesses typically use subscription models. The company charges a weekly, monthly, or annual fee and provides the customer with pre-packaged meal kits and recipe cards.

Meal kits are perfect for health and fitness professionals, working professionals, elderly and sick people. HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and Purple Carrot dominate the fresh meal kit delivery industry.

Also Read: How To Start A Meal Prep Business?

Medicine Delivery

The rising number of diseases and disorders constantly necessitates medical assistance for people. Especially older people who live alone find it impractical to make frequent trips to the pharmacy or chemist. This potential makes the medicine delivery business one of the most lucrative delivery businesses out there.

Recent studies project that by 2028 the global e-pharmacy market will be worth $206 billion, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 16.8%.

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Laundry Pickup & Delivery Services

Starting a laundry pickup & delivery service offers a rewarding entry into a thriving and secure industry. Laundry delivery companies are receiving an increasing number of professionals outsourcing laundry services. By 2027, the on-demand laundry service market is expected to reach $113 billion.

Today's Millennials rely on technology to complete even the most basic tasks due to their commitment to their careers. A simple laundry service can provide them with scalable laundry solutions.

Also Read: How To Start Online Laundry Pickup And Delivery Service Business

Flower Delivery Service

Nowadays, people commonly use flower delivery services. The custom of sending flowers on special occasions became widespread because people found communicating with distant loved ones difficult. You only need a few delivery boys and a small office to launch a successful online business.

A flower delivery service can greatly benefit local flower vendors who cannot open their shops but still need to make sales.

Liquor Delivery Business

During the pandemic, people not only got their groceries delivered but also liquor. The pandemic caused a skyrocket in online sales of alcoholic beverages, and they have continued to thrive ever since. People are increasingly favoring home alcohol delivery, and no signs of this trend slowing down.

IWSR claims that the largest alcohol e-commerce market in the world has been surpassed by the United States, surpassing China. Establishing an alcohol delivery service is a great idea. Promising prospects abound in the market for alcohol delivery services.

Fresh Meat Delivery Business

Delivery of raw, fresh meat is always in high demand. The general public does not always find fresh meat easily. Most major grocery stores do not stock the freshest raw meat.

A company can make a multimillion-dollar move by launching an online fresh meat delivery service, enabling it to attract and retain customers by rapidly responding to their needs.

Fuel Delivery Business

Online fuel delivery is entering the market at a breakneck speed. Countries like the United States and the United Kingdom have widely renowned it.

The individuals utilizing this service express profound beliefs regarding the advantages offered by fuel delivery enterprises. Having gas brought to you is a quick and easy way to keep your vehicles running. Additionally, it saves time and resources typically spent traveling to and from gas stations.

Also Read: How To Start Fuel Delivery Business In Your Region?

Courier Delivery Business

Until recently, people had to spend a lot of time and money sending a package through the mail or courier. However, innovations in delivery technology and delivery business models have made it easier to launch and manage a courier service. New technologies entering the market dramatically increased competition.

Starting an online local courier service is simple, and you can easily expand. Due to competition, finding your niche is essential in the online courier delivery business.

Packers and Movers Business

You won't need a large initial investment to start an on-demand packers and movers business. All that's required is a truck and a team of movers with some experience. You need a strong team to help you accomplish your goals. This is another thriving delivery business with a sizable customer base & great competition.

Lunchbox Delivery Business

Purchasing lunch instead of bringing one from home is a recent culture observed in many organizations. The enormous pressures of juggling multiple work schedules and meetings frustrate the employee. Everyone knows that it's necessary to relax and eat well during lunchtime.

Lunchbox delivery services have a large potential customer base. It is common practice in most countries, especially major cities. Customers can receive deliveries of lunches or other foods just in time to eat. Therefore, launching a company specializing in lunch boxes would be a good choice for young professionals interested in the food delivery industry.

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How to Start a Delivery Business

Here are some tips for launching a delivery business.

Establish Your Niche

You must find a specific business niche because it will dictate your decision and the solutions you implement. For example, a food delivery service has a distinct business model from grocery or flower delivery.

Finding the right market niche will also let you focus on targeted customers. Whether you want to start your delivery business in a big town or small city, this strategy is a must.

Several important steps may be required to establish a market niche for a delivery service, which are as follow:

Choose your target audience: You should identify your target audience.

Identify a customer need: Your services should solve many people's problems. Remember to choose a field that has room for expansion.

Research your customer base: Conduct in-depth research to learn as much as possible about your target market.

Build a Delivery Business Plan

Any company with a well-planned strategy for reaching its goals performs well. You can make a plan for your company to monitor its performance and adjust its operations to maximize profits. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Keep track of your finances.
  • Locate your target audience and major competitors.
  • Define your business goals.
  • Set pricing based on the type of delivery service you offer.
  • Prepare in advance for difficulties and regular operations.
  • Recruit workers and delivery drivers.
  • Provide the necessary training to your staff to do their jobs.

Delivery Business Models To Choose From

Before you launch, you must determine which of several possible business models best fit your delivery service.

i). Aggregators Business Model

The online delivery business model facilitates a platform that serves as a bridge connecting service providers and customers. Various service providers partner with the platform to provide services to their consumers. Consumers can compare multiple service providers listed on the platform conveniently and quickly.

To start as an online delivery startup, you can utilize a subscription model where service providers pay to use your platform to provide consumer services. Also, you can ask consumers to pay a subscription fee to use your platform.

JustEat, Delivery Hero, Uber, and Amazon are great examples of adopting this business model.

Ii). Order And Delivery Model

In this business model, business owners outsource delivery service providers. The third-party delivery service determines the delivery fee as they are responsible for making the deliveries.

If you're a business owner who wants to provide doorstep service to your customers but doesn't want to spend money on a delivery fleet, this model is for you.

You can work with logistics partners like Swiggy, Zomato, Deliveroo, etc., to organize the delivery process.

iii). Full-Service Business Model

As the name suggests, you play all the roles in this business model. Handling everything internally will result in a significant financial investment. However, this model offers a much better chance of making more money because you will have control over everything that happens.

Cover Your Legal And Financial Requirements

Ensure you complete all the necessary formalities and legal requirements for your business. To devote time and energy to other aspects of your online business, you must complete all necessary paperwork and administrative tasks in advance.

Being familiar with the local laws and regulations is crucial to comply with them and maintain proper documentation. Ensure you comply with all local regulations regarding launching an online delivery service. Your legal structure will determine your company's tax and liability status.

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Decide Features And Functionality

After settling on a business structure and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, you can proceed to determine the features and functionalities you will provide to your customers. Unique features can set you apart from the competition.

Below are the must-have features for a successful online delivery business.

  • Push notifications
  • Multi-lingual
  • Easy order placement
  • Easy account registration & profile management
  • Order management
  • Real-time reports
  • Geo-fencing
  • Search Filters
  • Order history
  • Rating & reviews
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple payment options.
  • Coupons, loyalty programs, discounts & more.

Determine Your Cost And Budget

According to business owners, an online delivery business costs $30,000 and $60,000 to start a service from scratch. Factors such as the app's complexity, features, development team, and geographical location determine the cost. However, teaming up with an app developer for an online delivery service can help you cut costs.

Build Your Online Platform

Once you finalize the specifics of your online delivery service, the next step is to build an online platform. Creating a successful online platform involves two most popular ways:

  • Custom development
  • Ready-made solution

While performing custom development, an on-demand development company provides a great team of programmers and designers to ensure a smooth development process from scratch. Developing a platform from the base requires a lot of time and money. Custom development has a main disadvantage; it involves a complex and time-consuming process.

Besides, if you want your online business to grow and run quickly with a lower development cost, you prefer choosing a pre-built solution. The product includes in-built necessary features for managing an online delivery service. Pre-build solutions effectively meet the needs of all parties involved in the online delivery business.

Additionally, many small business owners prefer pre-made software because it offers similar benefits to custom development.

Conclusion

Starting a delivery service can bring in a lucrative income, but it requires time and effort to do it right. Before starting a delivery business, you should consider several important factors, such as obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, purchasing the appropriate equipment, and recruiting reliable employees.

You can create a profitable, long-lasting delivery business with sound planning and hard work.

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