How To Start A Shipping Business
Read our step-by-step guide below or get started with a free logo for a shipping business!
Step-by-Step Guide To Starting Your Shipping Business
Congratulations on taking the first steps toward starting your shipping business! If you already have the passion for offering logistics and transportation services for goods, including domestic and international shipping, and the skills such as logistics coordination, knowledge of shipping regulations and negotiating with service providers, but you’re unsure how to turn this into a business — we are here to help you every step of the way.
Starting a shipping business allows you to capitalize on the global increase in e-commerce and the corresponding demand for logistic services to transport goods across various regions. this business serves a critical role in the supply chain, facilitating trade and commerce by ensuring that products reach their markets efficiently and safely. it’s ideal for those with a background in logistics or business management who are adept at coordinating complex operations and navigating the regulatory landscapes of international trade.
With our guide below, we will take you from the start by showing you how to give your freight forwarding business the perfect name and domain, all the way to success by launching it with a professional logo, website, business email and marketing material that is ready to attract customers who want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions, and therefore would be looking to your new shipping business!
1. Generate A Shipping Business Name For Free
Haven’t figured out the perfect business name to showcase your skills in logistics coordination yet? We’ve got you covered! With our business name generator, simply tell us more about your business and it will do all the hard work in coming up with great ideas for you to select from.
Some example prompts from our users include:
- A freight forwarding business that starts with the letter 'A'
- I help people find a new career they are passionate about
- A shipping company that delivers excellent knowledge of shipping regulations
- Fragrance company with Tornado mixed in the name one word
Choosing the right name for your business is more than just a task—it's about creating a meaningful connection with your customers who want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions. A great business name not only helps people remember you but also conveys who you are and what you offer in a memorable way. A memorable freight forwarding business name to start with will include: keeping it short and sweet, avoiding complex jargon, making it relevant and connecting it to your Industry.
For example, if you are starting a shipping business, you may want to include your skills in offering logistics and transportation services for goods, including domestic and international shipping in some way so it is clear to your potential customers what values, services and products you offer. You can also select a business type from our Business Name Generator and add a keyword such as shipping service owner or negotiating with service providers so your perfect business name is as unique as you and your brand!
2. Create A Free Unique Logo For Your Shipping Business
Once you have brainstormed the perfect business name, create a professional shipping logo with our free logo maker! You can start by entering your business name below.
Starting a freight forwarding business can be hard without a high-quality logo, as this is what will represent you and your business. The right files are also needed to start and promote your service business across marketing channels once you have launched and are ready to find customers.
3. Get A Custom Domain For Your Shipping Business
While it's possible to start a business offering logistics and transportation services for goods, including domestic and international shipping by using free platforms such as social media, when you buy a domain name to own, you set yourself apart from your competitors.
By purchasing a domain name, you can create a professional image for your service business and make it easier for potential customers to find you online. Choosing the right domain name to start your shipping business is like choosing the perfect outfit for a special occasion; it should reflect your style, make you stand out, and leave a lasting impression.
Like your freight forwarding business name, remember the golden rule when picking a domain: keep it simple and memorable. You want a name that people can easily recall and punch into their browsers without a second thought. Go for something short and snappy to dodge typos and avoid complicated spellings, unnecessary hyphens, or confusing numbers — they're just roadblocks for your visitors who want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions.
4. Build A Professional Shipping Business Website
When starting a shipping business in today's online world, having a website has become more of a necessity than a luxury. Whether you're an individual, a service business owner, or a large corporation, having an online presence is crucial for reaching out to your potential customers who are looking for businesses that can show their skills in logistics coordination, knowledge of shipping regulations and negotiating with service providers.
Building a professional website doesn’t have to be hard. With LOGO.com x Wix, you can be ready to go live in just a few minutes with all the features you need for any business including products, services, consultants, restaurants and much more . No tech skills required — get started for free below.
Best Practices Building Your Shipping Website
- Choose AI assistance and answer a few questions about your business, or manually select from 900+ website templates. You can customize all these templates to your liking.
- Add images and tweak the style of your website to align with your freight forwarding brand, making it visually appealing and consistent.
- Place compelling Call to Actions (CTAs) to guide users through your website. Encourage them to explore different sections, contact you, or make a purchase. A well-placed CTA for a service based business enhances user interaction and conversion opportunities.
- Use high-quality images that showcase your business in offering logistics and transportation services for goods, including domestic and international shipping or other products and services in a visually appealing manner.
- If applicable, incorporate customer testimonials or reviews to build trust and credibility.
- Keep your website updated with the latest information about your business, products, or services.
- Add a way for your customers to contact you, whether it is through social media or the contact form section.
By signing up for a LOGO.com x Wix account, you have read and agree to the LOGO.com Terms and Conditions, the Wix Terms of Use, and you acknowledge the Wix Privacy Policy and the LOGO.com Privacy Policy. LOGO.com and Wix will share the information in your account with each other and also in accordance with their privacy policies.
Ways To Promote Your Freight Forwarding Website
Social media groups
Join relevant groups to shipping on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn and share your website within these communities. Ensure that you engage genuinely and share valuable comments that are not perceived as spam or overly promotional.
5. Set Up A Business Email Address
Owning and setting up your own business email (e.g. hello@cravecakes.com) rather than using a generic email domain (e.g. cravecakes@gmail.com) has a range of benefits.
Having a professional business email is key for all freight forwarding businesses looking to build credibility with their potential customers.
It stops your emails from being flagged as spam.
When you use a free or generic email service, your emails are often associated with a shared pool of users, some of whom may engage in spammy activities. This can lead to your emails being flagged as spam by email providers, which means the important information you’re trying to reach your customers with won’t reach them.
With your own domain, you have greater control over your email environment. This makes it less likely for your messages to be mistakenly classified as spam and increases the likelihood of your customers who want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions in opening up and reading what you have to share.
More responses to your emails.
Recipients are more likely to open and engage with emails sent from a recognizable and legitimate domain than from generic or unfamiliar addresses. As more sophisticated scams have become more common in recent years, customers are more attentive to spammy and malicious emails.
It can lead to increased sales.
By reducing the number of emails that go into your spam filters and building more trust with your customers, you can ultimately increase your shipping business's communication and sales!
6. Create Marketing Materials To Promote To Customers
Congratulations on getting this far! Now that you have a professional business name, domain, website and business email, it’s time to promote your new shipping business to find customers both online and offline.
By understanding the type of people who would want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions, this will help you prioritize the type of marketing to start with.
Who are your ideal customers?
Customers of a shipping business include manufacturers, wholesalers, e-commerce companies, and anyone needing to transport goods regularly. these clients look for reliable, efficient, and cost-effective shipping options to minimize their logistics expenses and ensure their products are delivered on time. a strong focus on customer service and the ability to adapt to client needs, such as providing tracking and secure shipping options, can enhance client satisfaction and retention.
By understanding the type of people who would want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions, this will help you prioritize the type of marketing to start with.
Marketing Types
Online marketing
Online marketing, or digital marketing, is promoting products/services on the internet. Marketing materials you may need to promote your service business include:
- Website and Social Media pages
- High-resolution files of your logo and branding
- Photos of your products or services
- Social Media templates
- Stock photos related to freight forwarding industry when writing content
- High-resolution videos of your products or services
It's about reaching your audience where they are online and highlighting your offering in logistics coordination, knowledge of shipping regulations and negotiating with service providers to drive sales and engagement. As a starting point, below are some helpful articles on getting your Social Media assets created with Stitch, our all-in-one design tool.
Building Your Business With Templates - Introduction to Stitch
3 Marketing Strategies For Your New Shipping Business And How To Use Them
Social Media Marketing
When it comes to connecting with your audience, you have powerful tools at your fingertips. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn aren't just for scrolling; they're bridges to your customers who want efficient, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions. With every post and ad, you can shout out your business, engage your followers, and direct them to your website to learn more.
Pros And Cons Of Being A Shipping Service Owner
Starting a shipping business can be lucrative due to the essential nature of the service and the potential for long-term contracts with corporate clients. however, it requires significant initial investment in infrastructure, technology, and possibly a fleet of transport vehicles, as well as ongoing costs associated with fuel, maintenance, and staff. the industry is highly competitive and sensitive to economic fluctuations, which can impact the volume of goods being shipped and the overall profitability.
How To Start A Shipping Business Checklist
I have the required skills, equipment or knowledge to turn this into a business.
I have brainstormed the perfect business name.
I have created a professional and unique logo that represents my business and brand.
I have registered a memorable domain name that relates to my business name.
I have built a website that includes my logo, my products or service and business values.
I have set up a professional business email address to communicate with customers.
I have created marketing materials that I can use to promote my business, such as across social media, emails, networking events and merchandise.
Starting a freight forwarding business is an exciting journey that can leave you feeling both overwhelmed or overjoyed on the same day. Fortunately, with careful planning and execution, you can lay a sturdy foundation for your service business. The next step is to continue marketing your business and working on building strong customer relationships. You can find more resources on LOGO.com about growing your business.
Remember, with passion, perseverance in offering logistics and transportation services for goods, including domestic and international shipping, and hard work, you can take your shipping business from start to success!