The competition in the transport and logistics business is very high. The USA is filled with drivers with experience but only the ones who know the trade are successful.
You only need one DOT number for all of your trucks which you can get from the Wisconsin Dot Number easily. This means you can get your company a registered DOT number with FMCSA without wasting any time and money.
Here are some facts you should know before starting a truck business
- 75% of the cargo in the USA is transported across the country through tucks.
- The business is growing so fast that its current worth is 791.7 billion.
- It is expected to grow 25% by 2030.
- 90% of the companies are operating with only five to six trucks.
A Business Plan
Any business starts with a plan. Proper planning and evaluation are required to turn a dream into reality. You can start a trucking company with just one truck and a driver and you can be the first driver.
Many trucking company business owners start by driving their own trucks. You just need a name and social media recognition. No one has to know how many trucks you have. You have to fake it till you make it.
Start by naming your company and a business plan with a marketing strategy. This will get your brand recognition and people will start to know your name.
Get Your Driver’s License
Truck drivers are not ordinary drivers. They have experience in handling large vehicles. One has to be registered with the DOT (department of transportation) that grants every trucking company its unique DOT number. This unique DOT number is essential to work and operate a company across different states of the country.
FMCSA takes a driver’s medical and physical tests to make him or her eligible to drive a heavy vehicle.
How To Find Customers
More kilometers means more money. It all depends on how many kilometers your truck travels and how often.
To make a trucking company successful, the owner has to keep finding new orders and contracts. Here are some ways you can find customers for a trucking company.
- Cargo Brokers
- Professional Dispatcher for Operators
- Load Boards
- Registered Government Contractors
- Social Media Platforms
Know Your Ideal Clients
Knowing who your potential clients are can help you obtain a clear picture of what you want and create a strategy accordingly. When starting a trucking company, it’s also critical to target the suitable sector of the market. Becoming a specialized carrier can help you avoid competition from major transporters, build your brand in the market, and increase your sales.
Rather than “everything to anyplace” cargos, which can be excessively volatile and expensive for entrepreneurs, specialized trucking services can help you optimize your operating procedures and resources.
How To Know Your Target Clients?
Here are some questions you can ask yourself when deciding about your target audience or clients.
- What type of industry or companies are you interested in?
- What kind of goods will you be able to transport easily?
- What type of clients do you mostly know?
- What states would you love to travel to regularly?
- What type of clients has given you the most positive response?
- Is there anything you can do better than other truck companies?
- Who are your Ideal Clients?
- What do they need most?
- How can you benefit their businesses other than just the shipment?
Stay up-to-date
Keep in touch with new technologies as well as new companies being registered. It is also one of the best ways to get new and long-lasting customers. A new company always looks for long-term contractors to transport their goods. They might not pay according to the market in the beginning but as they succeed, you will build trust and you will start getting their orders more often.
Keep an eye on new truck technologies as well to compete with other trucking companies. You can also start your own websites and blogs to keep in touch with the community. This will help your business grow.
Entrepreneurs usually underestimate the amount of time, finances, and passion required to establish and build a company. Organizing, making important financial decisions, and fulfilling a number of legal actions are all part of the process of starting a business.
But the payoff for all of this effort is incomparable.
