How to Start an Errand Business That Actually Makes Money

With the rise of the gig economy and the need to make extra money, starting an errand business has become a popular side hustle for many people.

Errand running businesses provide a much-needed service to customers who may not have the time or ability to run daily errands themselves.

But starting and running an errand business isn’t as simple as it sounds.

There are a lot of moving parts, from figuring out what services to offer, to setting up your business, to finding and keeping clients.

If you’re interested in starting your own errand business, here’s what you need to know.

Introduction to Errand Running Businesses

Errand running businesses provide a variety of services to customers.

Most errand companies focus on running errands, such as grocery shopping, taking clothes to the dry cleaner, or picking up prescriptions.

But businesses can also offer more specialized services such as pet sitting, house sitting, and even home maintenance.

The great thing about errand businesses is that they’re relatively easy to start and don’t require a lot of capital.

All you need is a reliable vehicle and some basic tools, such as a smartphone and a laptop.

You can also start an errand business as a one-person operation, or you can hire employees to help you with the workload.

Benefits of Starting an Errand Business

The biggest benefit of starting an errand service business is that it’s a great way to make extra money.

Depending on the services you offer and the size of your business, you can easily make a few hundred dollars a week.

Another benefit is that it’s a flexible side hustle.

You can choose when and how often you want to work, giving you the freedom to manage your own schedule.

And because you don’t need to rent or maintain a physical space, you can operate your business from anywhere.

Finally, providing errand services can be a great way to meet people and build relationships with customers.

You’ll be interacting with customers on a daily basis, getting to know their needs and preferences.

This can be a great way to find new clients and build relationships with existing ones.

How to Set Up Your Errand Business

The first step to setting up your errand-running business is to draw up an errand service business plan and decide on a business structure.

You can choose to operate as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or even a corporation.

Each structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand the implications of each before making a decision.

Once you’ve decided on a business structure, you’ll need to register your business with the state.

This will allow you to get a business license and open a business bank account.

You should also look into getting business insurance from a reputable insurance company to protect yourself and your business in case of any liabilities.

What Services to Offer

When starting an errand business, it’s important to decide what services you want to offer.

You can do a quick Google search for various errand business ideas.

Most errand businesses focus on running errands, such as grocery shopping and delivery services, courier services, taking clothes to the dry cleaner, or picking up prescriptions.

You will need to ensure that you have a reliable car to perform these transport and delivery services.

Many are even a personal assistant for their clients and small business owners.

Errand service providers can also offer more specialized services such as house and pet sitting, home maintenance and even providing senior errand service for senior citizens.

As an errand runner, it’s important to decide what services you want to offer and then market those services to potential customers.

You should also consider any special skills you may have that could be useful in your business, such as knowledge of a foreign language or a particular trade.

Finding Clients

Once you’ve set up your business and decided on the errand-running services you want to offer, it’s time to start finding clients.

One of the best ways for errand runners to find clients is to network with local businesses and organizations.

You can also use social media to promote your services and reach out to potential customers.

You can also use online services such as TaskRabbit and Fiverr to connect with customers.

These sites allow you to list your services, set your rates and manage your bookings.

You can also join local Facebook groups or other online forums to find customers.

Setting Prices

When setting your prices, it’s important to consider your time, the cost of materials, and the cost of your services.

Your errand running service should also factor in any additional costs, such as fuel or parking fees.

It’s important to set your prices competitively, but also make sure you’re making a profit.

Do some research in your area and see what other errand businesses charge.

It’s also important to consider the type of services you’re offering.

For example, specialized services such as pet sitting or house sitting may require a higher rate than running errands.

You should also consider offering discounts for repeat customers or for larger orders.

Marketing Strategies

Once you’ve set up your business, it’s important to come up with a marketing strategy.

You should create a website or blog to promote your services, as well as create social media accounts to reach a larger audience.

You should also consider creating promotional materials, such as flyers, brochures, and business cards.

You can also consider partnering with local businesses.

This can be a great way to get your name out there and find new clients.

You can also reach out to friends and family and ask them to spread the word about your business.

How to Manage Your Errand Business

Managing an errand business can be time-consuming and overwhelming.

It’s important to stay organized and keep track of your customers, orders, and payments.

You should also consider using customer relationship management (CRM) software to keep track of your customers and orders.

As you are always going to be on the go it would be critical to have CRM software that has an app version so you could download it to your cell phone.

This way you will always be in the loop.

You should also create systems and processes to help you manage your business more efficiently.

This can include automating certain tasks, such as invoicing and scheduling, or using templates to create standard documents.

How to Build a Brand

Building a brand is an important part of running an errand business.

You should focus on creating a unique brand identity that sets you apart from other errand businesses.

This can include creating a logo, designing promotional materials, and creating a website.

You should also focus on building relationships with your customers.

This can include offering discounts, providing personalized customer service, and creating content that appeals to your target audience.

Legal Considerations

When starting an errand business, it’s important to be aware of the legal implications.

Depending on your business structure, you may need to register your business with the state, obtain a business license, and get business insurance.

You should also familiarize yourself with local regulations and laws related to errand service businesses.

Finally, it’s important to understand the tax implications of running an errand business.

You may need to register for self-employment taxes, and you should keep track of all of your income and expenses for tax purposes.

Conclusion

Starting an errand business can be a great way to make extra money and gain flexibility over your schedule.

But there are a lot of things to consider, from setting up your business to finding clients.

Once you have a plan in place and you’re ready to start your business, you can be on your way to making money and helping others with their errands.

For more side hustles and business ideas then explore our Home-Based Businesses page.

With the right knowledge and dedication, you can start and run an errand business that actually makes money.