How to start your own car rental business

You were more interested in the cars that arrived at the wedding than the dresses or flowers. Are you passionate about helping people achieve their goals? Are you interested in starting your own business? A Wedding Car Hire Business could be the right choice for you.

Experts estimate that there are approximately 500,000 people living in the UK.The average wedding cost for a bride and groom is around PS30,000This is a staggering sum that’s higher then ever. This means that many people are willing to spend a lot of money on the perfect vehicle for their special day. You have the skills and knowledge to start a supply business.Wedding carsTo happy couples in your area? You’ll love our guide, which will cover everything you need.

Foundations

It is not possible for anyone to set up a car rental company and provide a service. There is a lot of bureaucracy involved in starting a service. Here are some things you need to remember before you get started.

InsuranceWhat kind of business equipment do you need?

DriversWho will be driving your customers from A-B?

CarsWhich vehicles should you offer?

Insurance for wedding cars

You should make sure you have the right insurance in place to protect you against any mishaps or accidents. Contrary to companies that offer car hire over long distances, wedding cars often have comparable mileage and infrequent usage. Make sure you select the right coverage for your needs.

Make sure you vet your drivers & chauffeurs

There are some self-drive wedding car rental companies, but most of these businesses aim to be chauffeur-driven. The first option is easier for you, but the second is more comprehensive. You will need to ensure that all paperwork is approved and signed.

The vehicle(s)

There are many wedding cars on the market. Take some time to think about your options and then do some market research to find the best. Classic cars are a great choice for weddings. However, it is important to do your research before buying any second-hand vehicles. A brand new limousine is a popular choice, but it will be hard to find people who want to rent it. However, you should be aware of the fact that buying one can be costly for your business.

Vehicle finance (also known by Asset Finance)

Finance is an important part of any business. You may be able to purchase the vehicle(s), without needing to arrange financing. However, you should remember that this is not the best option. You may be able negotiate a great deal that allows you to make a small deposit and spread the finance over a period of 3 to 5 years, if your credit is strong. Lenders will sometimes accept 10% deposit. This depends on your credit history as well as the risk of the company.

Calculating what to charge

The most difficult part of starting a business is setting your prices. It can get even more difficult when you offer a service such as wedding car rental. How do you determine how much to charge?

A business plan is essential for any venture that involves a large financial investment. It will show you how much money you can make within a certain time frame to recover your initial costs. There are many variables so the following guideline will help you estimate how much you should charge.

You should expect to pay around PS200-500 for a day-long package for wedding car rental. The cost of a wedding car hire can vary depending on many factors.

Day of the Week – Many suppliers will offer discounts on weekday marriages to help fill empty schedules

Time of the year: Summer weddings will be charged more, but customers usually pay less for car rental during winter months

Length of Hire – Although day hire is most popular, some customers may prefer a shorter package.

It’s important that customers don’t just pay for the use of your vehicle. Except if you offer a self-drive service you will need to charge for the time the chauffeur spends on the job. To get a fair price, you need to consider how much time they will spend on wedding services.

Many wedding car rental companies also offer additional services, such as flowers and champagne, for an additional charge. These services may be offered by you if you do not fully research them and consider how they will affect your pricing.

After you have established the price for your services, it’s time to consider how you will collect the balance. Most services require a non-refundable deposit. This is to protect the customer in case of cancellations. Some services will also offer the option for brides and grooms to spread their costs through a payment plan. There is no one right or wrong way, but it is important to research all options thoroughly before you decide which one is best.

Get the word out

Now you have your business established, your pricing structure set and perhaps even secured a few wedding gigs. Next, what? A good marketing campaign is essential to launch your business into success. The internet makes it much easier to tell people about your venture than ever before. However, offline marketing methods should not be overlooked. Here are our top picks for the best places to promote your services.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization): A website that is optimized for search engines

Your first stop should be a good website. It’s the first impression people have of your company. To ensure everything looks professional and sleek, hire a professional designer. Also consider SEO services and writing to improve the quality of your content. An SEO specialist can help you to rank higher in search engines, which is important for making your website stand out.

Assisting a broker or booking agency

Although it may sound like a bad idea to join a broker or booking agency, this is actually a much better option than paying for pay-per-click (Google Ads), etc. We don’t recommend any agency that requires a subscription fee, or a cost per lead. This is similar to pay-per click marketing. You should sign up for an agency that guarantees bookings or pays nothing (akin to no-win-no fee).

Marketing via social media

Social media is another great way to promote your company. To increase your online presence, create a  Page for your company. Fill it with quality, shareable content. You can also create competitions on this platform, which can help you gain many likes or shares. In return, you could win something. You can also use wedding car rental services to share beautiful photos of your cars playing a central role on someone’s special day.

Local wedding shows

Market research shows that millions of people visit UK wedding shows every year. Online advertising is great, but nothing beats meeting face-to-face to secure future bookings. The National Wedding Show is held in London and Birmingham, and attracts the largest number of visitors. However, if you are not in these areas, it’s worth considering that new jobs may require you to drive a considerable distance. You can also visit smaller shows closer to your home. A display stand with photographs and business cards is also an option if your vehicle cannot be brought to the show.

Word-of mouth

Encourage clients to tell their friends and family about your business. Although you cannot force anyone to leave a positive review on your site, Trustpilot can encourage people to write positive reviews. Customers will love your services if you focus on the small details and offer thoughtful extras. You could also offer a discount referral program to customers who have already booked with you, which will increase the likelihood that they will recommend your company to others.

This article will cover all aspects of setting up and marketing your Wedding Car Hire Business. You should now have all the information you need to get started. Good luck with your endeavors!