11 Steps to Start Your Own Delivery Business: A Practical Guide

Worldwide demand for delivery services is showing no signs of slowing down, with retail e-commerce sales expected to be over $4.3 trillion in 2025. It’s a great time to start a delivery business.

If you’re interested in starting your own delivery business, you’re in the right place. In this guide we’ll cover:

• Advantages of a delivery business.
• Profitability — and how it’s possible to compete with giants like Amazon.
• Different kinds of delivery businesses.
• Typical startup costs
• Minimum requirements to get started
• An 11-step guide to get you from choosing a niche to hiring your first team member.

💡 When your business is ready to launch, you’ll need a delivery management system that can grow with you. Check out Routific: It’s free to try for 7 days, and free forever up to 100 orders a month. 

Why start a delivery business?

Running a delivery company can be a fantastic way to enjoy the flexibility of being your own boss, while also earning a decent income. The biggest advantages are:

• Delivery businesses typically have low start-up costs
• You don’t need a factory or a lot of equipment
• You can control your own schedule and workload

These factors make delivery businesses a popular choice for young parents, retirees and others who want a good work-life balance.

Whether you're delivering locally or nationally, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your business (if that’s what you want) and positively impact your community. 

For example, on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, local delivery business BCause started helping out during the pandemic by delivering groceries directly to people’s homes. Five years later, they’re a growing business on a mission to support local producers and make their products more accessible to consumers — a win for everybody.

So if you're wondering whether there’s a way to turn your passion into a profitable venture, becoming a delivery business owner might just be the perfect fit for you!

Are delivery businesses profitable?

Yes! As the demand for local delivery services rises, so does the potential profit. This is reflected in wages and salaries. In the United States, the average salary for people working in delivery services is over $96,000 per year.

Of course there are no guarantees. As with any new business, the key to profitability is to identify the needs of your target market, then develop a viable business plan to meet those needs. Keeping your cost per delivery as low as possible will be crucial. But with the right combination of services, technology, and marketing strategies, your delivery business can capitalize on current market trends and maximize profitability.

Can a small delivery company really compete with Amazon?

Amazon’s vast product catalog and fast shipping make it a default online shopping option for a lot of people. But just because a small business can’t match Amazon’s power, that doesn’t mean you can’t find your own profitable e-commerce niche. Maybe you’ll attract customers who want to support a local retailer with sustainable practices and good working conditions. Or maybe they’re looking for unique, hand-made items, or just want to know they’re dealing with real people rather than a huge multinational corporation. 

Don’t get distracted by thinking you need to offer next-day or same-day delivery, either. You could differentiate yourself by offering slower, less expensive deliveries; by using more sustainable packaging options, like returnable containers; or by offering more flexible delivery times. For example, in one study 73% of consumers said a convenient delivery time slot is more important than fast delivery — you could win by enabling your customers to choose their own delivery time window.

What types of delivery services are there?

So, what type of delivery service do you want to offer? That depends on where your expertise can meet the needs of your target market. To give you some business ideas, here are examples of popular delivery services:

• Grocery and food deliveries
• Flower deliveries
• Pharmacy deliveries
• Furniture and appliance deliveries
• Parcel deliveries and courier services
• Laundry and dry cleaning deliveries
• Alcohol and cannabis deliveries
• Party and event supply deliveries

For more ideas and details about each kind of business, check out our article on delivery business ideas.

Whether you choose to be a courier business (i.e. delivering someone else’s products) or expand into deliveries with your own product (florists, bakeries, etc.), there are tons of opportunities to make money in the delivery business.

How much does it cost to start a delivery business?

The cost of starting a delivery business depends on several factors, such as the size and scope of your services, the type of equipment you plan to use, and any fees associated with obtaining the necessary permits or licenses. In general, getting started costs anywhere from $100-$20,000.

What do you need to start a delivery service?

While some businesses need big up-front capital investments and complex infrastructure, it’s possible to start a delivery business with far fewer resources. A basic starter kit might include:

• A reliable delivery vehicle (car, cargo van, truck or bicycle)
• A handtruck or dolly for moving heavy items
• Delivery drivers
• A valid driver's license
• Commercial auto insurance coverage for your vehicle 
• GPS or navigation software
• A smartphone (cellphone) or tablet
• Packing materials (boxes, bubble wrap, etc.)
• A domain name, a basic website, an email address and business cards and/or flyers
• Business permits/licenses for your area

Of course, this list is not exhaustive. Depending on the scope of your small business, you may need additional equipment and materials to ensure a smooth start.

How to set up a delivery service: A step-by-step guide

Once you've gathered the resources necessary to start a delivery business, it's time to get your venture up and running. Here are the steps you'll need to take:

Step 1. Choose your niche

The first step is to decide which type of delivery services you want to offer. Your niche will be the foundation of your business, so it's important to choose one that meets the needs of your target market.

As you can see from the list above, there are plenty of delivery services to choose from, ranging from grocery and food deliveries to courier services. Think about:

• The type of business you want to run.
• How much you have available to invest in equipment.
• Whether you want to employ other people. 

Then, your market research should help you understand: 

• Which niches are most under-served in your local area,
• How you can deliver a customer experience that will make you stand out . 

Put it all together, and you’ll be able to find the best idea for your own delivery business.

Step 2. Create a business plan

Any successful business starts with a great business plan. There are plenty of online and offline resources to help you with this, including our own article and free business plan template. 

In the U.S., the Small Business Administration has a great website at sba.gov. Your local library or chamber of commerce are also both great places to find detailed, relevant local advice. 

Very broadly, though, you’ll want to:

• Choose a business name.
• Do a market analysis of your target audience.
• Figure out how much you’ll need to spend on startup costs.
• Draft an operating budget.
• Create a marketing plan.
• Create a launch timeline.

Having a well-thought-out business plan will help you stay organized and focused on the tasks that need to be completed before opening day. Use our free business plan template, or hire a professional to help you create one.

Step 3. Choose a business structure

There are four main types of business entity to choose from when launching a delivery business: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and LLC. Each structure or legal entity has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to do your research and decide which business model is best for you. 

• Sole Proprietorship: Easy to set up and great for entrepreneurs, but you're personally liable for all business debts and obligations. 
• Partnership: More capital is available, but you share control with other partners.
• Corporation: Limited liability and legal protection, but there are more expenses associated with forming this type of business.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Blends elements of partnerships and corporations, providing owners with limited personal liability while allowing profits and losses to be passed through to their personal income.

These business structures are common across many countries, although the exact regulations vary. In general, sole proprietorships and partnerships are simpler to manage, with less onerous regulatory and compliance requirements. On the other hand, corporations and LLCs will offer more protection for your personal assets.

Step 4. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number)

In the U.S., you'll need to obtain a federal tax ID number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This is a unique 9-digit number that identifies your business and allows you to open bank accounts, pay taxes, and hire employees. You can apply for an EIN online through the IRS website or by mail.

Other countries will have slightly different systems, but all of them need you to be scrupulous about your tax filings! Again, your local library or chamber of commerce is a good place to ask for advice about how to register for tax. 

Step 5. Open a business bank account

Once your business is registered, you must open a business bank account. This helps keep your personal and business finances separate, and makes it easier to manage your taxes. You can choose from a local or online bank, but be sure to compare fees and services before you decide. Some options may be more cost-effective than others, or offer special features like free checking or electronic transfers.

Step 6. Get insured

It's vital to get the right business insurance policy for your delivery business. This will help protect you from any unexpected costs associated with an accident or theft of goods in transit. Types of insurance you may need include:

• General liability insurance
• Commercial auto insurance
• Cargo insurance
• Worker’s compensation. 

Check with your state or local government to see what specific types of insurance you need, and factor the premiums into your operating budget.

Step 7. Get the necessary licenses or permits

You may need specific permits or business licenses, depending on where you plan to operate. For example, some states require food delivery businesses to get a special license, while others only require liability insurance. Research what is needed in your area and make sure you have all the necessary paperwork before launching your business.

Step 8. Buy your equipment

As we mentioned above, you'll need some basic equipment to get started. Invest in quality items that will last, and make sure they are properly maintained — vehicle maintenance is particularly crucial for a delivery business. If you don’t want to invest in a new vehicle, consider leasing or buying used vehicles.

Step 9. Find clients

Now it's time to grow your customer base! Here are five tips to get your first bookings and orders:

• Use online platforms: Social media is a great way to get the word out about your delivery business. Set up a professional profile and start connecting with potential customers in your area. For example, in the picture above you can see how Flourist in Vancouver uses Instagram to connect with their customers and advertise their delivery services. 
• Set up a website: Squarespace, Wix and GoDaddy are all popular and highly-rated options. For an extra fee, you’ll be able to use your own domain name. Do some basic research on search engine optimization (SEO), especially local SEO, to help get you started quickly. Hubspot has an excellent beginner’s guide to SEO.
• Create a referral program: Encourage satisfied customers to refer other potential clients to your delivery service by offering discounts or rewards for each referral.
• Network with local businesses: Partner with other local businesses and offer them your delivery services at a discounted price. For example, if you have a grocery delivery business, consider partnering with local supermarkets or small farmers. This can also help you gain visibility and recognition in the community.
• Focus on customer service: Deliver on time, respond promptly to customer inquiries, and maintain a friendly and professional attitude to build trust with your clients.
• Offer competitive pricing: Research the prices of similar delivery services in your area and offer competitive rates to attract new clients. Be transparent about your pricing and offer package deals or discounts for larger orders.

Step 10. Get a delivery management system

We said at the beginning of this article that keeping your cost per delivery as low as possible is crucial to the profitability of any delivery business. One of the best ways to do this is to use a delivery management system with route optimization. 

Apps like Routific, designed specifically for growing businesses, can help you streamline the delivery process and deliver the best customer experience from day one:

• Offer custom delivery time windows.
• Automatically create optimized delivery routes with accurate ETAs.
• Dispatch routes directly to driver’s mobile phones.
• Tracking the day’s delivery progress in real time.
• Capture photo and signature proof of delivery.
• Automatically send notifications to your customers so they know when to expect their deliveries.

The right delivery management system can help you maximize your deliveries per hour, without compromising driver safety or customer satisfaction. More deliveries per hour means less distance driven, lower fuel costs, and lower cost per delivery overall.

11. Hire a team and start working

Once all your preparations are finished, it's time to hire a team and start delivering. Use job boards or local recruitment agencies to find qualified candidates that have the skills and experience you need for your business. Once you've hired your team, provide them with proper training and set expectations upfront so everyone is on the same page.

Now you're ready to launch your delivery business and start serving customers. Good luck — you’ve got this!