As the coronavirus continues to sweep the nation, many small businesses are beginning to close their doors for good. However, some have managed to survive and even thrive in the midst of chaos. By developing new ways to engage with and help customers during this time of social distancing, organizations across the country are continuing to serve their communities. Often, this involves incorporating local delivery services — something that applies to more than just restaurants.

Meet customers where they are by investing in delivery. Bring products customers love and need right to their doorstep. Doing so may mean the difference between remaining open and shuttering your doors for good.

Find a Delivery Vehicle

If your small business sells larger items like framed art or plants, you may need to find a larger vehicle than your sedan or SUV. Moreover, if your company specializes in health and wellness products or cleaning supplies — which are in high demand right now — your delivery loads will likely be quite large. Likewise, you’ll have to find an alternative mode of transportation.

Cargo vans, box trucks and pickup trucks are likely the most affordable and viable option for your organization. Additionally, it’s best to choose a fuel-efficient vehicle, such as the 2020 Chevy Silverado, a diesel truck that gets 33 miles per gallon on the highway. You might consider purchasing a car instead of renting one. Although you may use it less once the pandemic lifts, your customers will appreciate ongoing delivery as a new feature.

Always Drive Safely

Of course, you may not be able to afford a large vehicle in light of current circumstances. In this case, you may opt to purchase a trailer that you can tow with the car you already own. Consult your vehicle’s user manual to determine how much weight yours can manage. Then, purchase or rent a trailer based on the towing limits, hitch it to your car and load it up.

Keep in mind driving with a trailer behind you requires a bit more caution than merely driving your car or truck. If you take a turn too quickly or swerve, your trailer can whip back and forth like a happy dog’s tail. Thus, it’s best to practice driving with an empty trailer first. Try pulling in and backing out of driveways. Check your trailer’s clearance and perform wider turns to avoid hitting other vehicles.

Map Your Route

While you may want to plan your delivery route with an excel spreadsheet, sticky notes and maps, creating a course by hand is far from the best option. Many routing software and mapping programs are available — why not take advantage of them? The best ones will log fuel expenses and driving habits and offer the most efficient routes to improve your return on investment.

While most routing systems do cost money, optimizing your route will save on fuel, speed up your delivery process and create satisfied customers. As a result, your earnings may offset the cost. Plus, a few big names in routing are offering discounts on their services to support small businesses amid COVID-19.

Promote Business With New Perks

To jumpstart your new delivery service, you might offer your loyal customers a few perks. These incentives may include same-day delivery for an extra fee, free shipping or bonuses like stickers or decals to rep your brand. You might also incentivize purchases by rewarding those who spend a certain amount of money with an in-store gift. This benefit will encourage customers to begin visiting your store once your doors open again.