Very few small businesses require a designated company vehicle, but for those that do, you need to ensure that your vehicle is doing all that it can to help promote your business. Construction or trade vehicles are huge expenses for any small business, and you don’t have the luxury to lower your costs by renting it out. It means that your vehicle needs to work hard, and it will likely see its fair share of damage during its life with you.
It is for this reason why you need to do all that you can so that you can get the most out of your vehicle, from buying used to using it as a marketing agency. Follow these steps, and you will make the most out of your company’s vehicle in no time.
Buy Used:
Buying new is not necessary. In fact, it can be a needless expense that can tip your monthly budget beyond your means. By opting for a used vehicle, you can lower costs significantly. This is because all vehicles have a high depreciation value, and it means that though the vehicle itself might be in perfect condition, even having one previous owner will lower its value significantly. If you are lucky, you can find a barely used vehicle for sale at a fraction of the cost of its new counterpart.
What you do need to worry about, however, is that the work vehicles you will be looking at will have likely gone through the same jobs which you are doing. It means the truck or van will have been on construction sites, and it will have housed a lot of equipment and supplies. As there is the chance for significant wear and tear, you will want to avoid buying directly from the previous owner.
Going to a used dealership might not be the cheapest option, but they will only sell vehicles that are certified used. This means that they have been tested and are found to be in great working order. From there you will also be made aware of other key factors like mileage, which means that when you find a gem of a used vehicle, you can be ensured that it will work like a dream and you will have found the best-discounted vehicle for your business.
Kitting it Out:
Once you have your new vehicle (new or used), you will need to kit it out. Your tools will undoubtedly be expensive no matter your trade, and having a custom storage unit installed in the back will ensure that nothing falls, moves around, or gets damaged during transport. Having these custom storage racks is also useful for protecting your employees and looking professional to your clients. No one, after all, wants their contractors to have to dig through the back of their truck to find a tool.
Other ways you will need to kit out your vehicle are with bed liners. Bed liners protect your vehicle from heavy equipment and can elongate the life of your vehicle. You don’t need to have a custom one created for your vehicle, either, as there are paint options that are incredibly durable and perfect for every small business. You can view here to see their work, and read all about the benefits of having a bed liner in your truck.
Using Your Vehicle as A Marketing Tool:
Everything about your vehicle should say professionalism. It should look clean, and new, and it everything in it should be organized. That is why it can be very useful to spend a few extra dollars on a car wash at the end of the week or to do it yourself. Having a clean vehicle, however, isn’t the only way you need to advertise using your vehicle.
White vans have a bad rep, particularly due to their prevalent use in media kidnapping narratives. It can make your company vehicle look a bit worrisome to parents in the neighborhood, and otherwise detracts from your brand identity. By having a custom skin wrap created for your vehicle, however, you can take back control of your brand identity and use it as a marketing tool.
The branding on your vehicle needs to act as a universal and timeless ad. Your business and what you do need to be conveyed in a second, but you shouldn’t shy away from adding more information. On highways, in traffic, and when you are parked outside of a client’s home are excellent times when new customers can read more about your business. Finding the right balance will be a bit of a challenge, but it can be accomplished.
If your business is new, ensure that your company name and your logo are easy to remember, easy to spell, and easy to read. If your logo is in any way too complicated or difficult to make out, you will have lost a potential customer. If your logo is too small or not eye-catching enough, you again have lost a potential customer. You need your logo to be prominent because it is your brand and everything else is icing on the cake.
The other decorative elements will depend entirely on your company and the image you wish to project. If you want to be the friendly-neighborhood landscaping guys, you can use illustrated depictions of flowers and gardens. If you want to project a more professional atmosphere, a more somber and professional color scheme will be in order.
Take a lot of time when deciding the right message that you want to send, and more importantly ask your customers, friends, and family what they think of the design you have come up with and how effective it is. You should also remember that there is no shame in hiring a company or agency to create your skin wrap for you, it’s good business.
Your vehicle needs to not only do what you need it to; it needs to project the right image and advertise for your company. Every job should be followed up by a neighbor who was interested in your work, and new clients should come from referrals who are happy with your professionalism and service.
