Domestic freight booking service for small businesses

Small manufacturers, online retailers, wholesalers and tradies' suppliers that ship pallets, bulky items or regular parcels interstate.

You buy freight at your negotiated rate and charge the client a bit more. Alternatively, you charge a per-booking fee or a monthly management fee.

• Organised and detail-focused
• Comfortable negotiating with carriers
• Clear, calm communication when deliveries go wrong

• Public liability insurance, and check whether you need professional indemnity cover too
• Goods in transit insurance. Check who is liable if freight is lost or damaged
• Carrier payment terms. You may pay carriers before your clients pay you
• Check your local council's rules on running a business from home
• Dangerous goods have special rules, so check before you accept them

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on your software, insurance and how you set up carrier accounts. Because you work from home, you usually don't need premises or a warehouse.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many small business clients you have and how much freight they ship. Carrier payment terms may mean you pay carriers before your clients pay you.

Check public liability insurance, whether you also need professional indemnity, and goods in transit cover, including who is liable if freight is lost or damaged. Also check your council's home business rules and the special rules for dangerous goods.