Frequently Asked Questions about: Courier Work Websites
Q: Is Courier Exchange any good?
A: Our reviewer, Stuart, recently put together a full review of the Courier Exchange platform which you can read on Couriers TV. In his opinion it is generally a good service, although there are some things to consider before joining. He rated CX at 4/5 which makes it the leader so far from the selection of courier work websites reviewed.
Read the full review of Courier Exchange here
Q: How does The Courier Exchange work?
A: The Courier Exchange (or CX as it’s often referred to) is just one of many courier work websites that connect couriers to each other to share any available delivery work. Companies that need extra drivers to cover jobs can simply list the delivery required on the website and available drivers can provide prices for the work to be done.
CX is the most well known service in this sector. It has a large user-base and has developed an extensive website/app setup to support members, although it is also the most expensive of all the courier work-sharing services.
Q: Is Same Day Courier Network any good?
A: The Same Day Courier Network, or SDCN for short, is a relative newcomer to this market, but has grown steadily since its launch. The website is slick and easy to use and the membership is growing all the time. Whilst the numbers of delivery jobs available on the platform is still low compared to CX, it may well be a valid competitor in years to come. It’s also much cheaper to join than CX, so well worth trying if you live in a busy area.
Read the full review of Same Day Courier Network here
Q: What other courier work websites are there?
A: There are a lot of websites that you can join in order to find more courier work. Most of them are bidding platforms, where delivery jobs are listed and drivers bid for the work. The type of work varies between the platforms, with some services offering more commercial delivery work (palletised goods to commercial premises etc) and others offering more private work (eBay type deliveries for private addresses).
Read our reviews of the main Courier Work Websites here
Frequently Asked Questions about: Courier Pricing
Q: How much should I charge per mile?
A: This is a much discussed topic for couriers. And there isn’t a set answer. It’s really down to understanding your own operating costs, and what price your customers are willing to pay. For example, if you run a large van, it will cost more to operate (fuel costs etc) than a small van. But you can fit more in, so can charge more.
Also it depends whether you are sub-contracting for another transport company, or working direct with your own customer.
As a rough guide, retail prices (end customer) are around:
Small Van £1
Medium Van £1.20
Large Van £1.30
Extra Large Van £1.50
Sub-contractor prices are around:
Small Van £0.75
Medium Van £0.85
Large Van £0.95
Extra Large Van £1.10
(Please note, the prices shown above were prior to COVID-19 affecting the economy and some rates have seen a significant drop during lockdown).
Q: How is delivery cost calculated?
A: For most couriers, a simply ‘Price-per-loaded mile’ rate is calculated. This means you set a fixed rate for the size of vehicle you operate against the number of miles the delivery covers. For example: If you decide to charge £1/mile for a small van, and the delivery route is 100 miles from collection point to delivery point, then you would charge £100.
Many couriers use other factors such as zones and minimum charges to protect themselves from things like short journeys (if a delivery is only 2 miles, you don’t just want to charge £2) and deliveries into busy cities like London, where you can be stuck for hours in traffic and losing out on other work.
FAQ’s about: Setting Up A Courier Business
Q: How do I start my own courier business (UK)?
A: This is fairly simple to do, but it’s worth taking time to consider HOW you want to structure your business. The two main options are LIMITED COMPANY or SOLE-TRADER. They both have benefits, but you might want to seek the advice of an accountant for your own personal circumstances.
Once you’ve chosen which type of company you are going to operate, then work on a business plan, come up with a name and do some research to find out if there’s a need for couriers near your locations. Then you can begin to research vehicles and work out how you will fund the start of your business. Remember you will need to be properly insured, and courier insurance is NOT cheap. You will need proper hire and reward insurance for your vehicle, along with GIT (Goods in Transit) and Public Liability as the minimum.
Q: How do I write a courier business plan?
A:
Q: How can I improve my courier business?
A:
FAQ’s about: Which Vans Are Best For Courier Delivery Work?
What size van should I choose?
Which van is the most fuel efficient?
What is the best medium size van?
What is the best van for courier work?
Frequently Asked Questions about: Courier Insurance
What is goods in transit insurance?
How much does it cost to insure a vehicle for courier work?
