Marketing a Taxi Company
- Thread starter khalid1
- Start date
W
weweavewebs
Use your cars to advertise. Have nice stickers at front, back and side of your cars. People pay lot of money to advertise on buses and taxis, you can do this free on your cars.
Try to get same colour cars if possible and have your logos and numbers visible, it will help your company become a brand which people will remember.
Provide a reliable and honest service, employ cheerful and helpful drivers.
With good reputation you will get lot of business through word of mouth.
Offer discounts to staff of hotels, pubs, carehomes where you expect to get lot of business. Arrange meetings with managers of restaurants, hotels etc and try to get exclusive contracts.
Always take complaints seriously and keep record of them, always get back to customer and explain. Get rid of drivers who get over 3 complaints.
You can also have beer mats printed and distribute them in local pubs.
One thing to remember is 10% or 5% discount will not get you much business. People don't care about paying 50p extra for a good service.
You can have your own travel guide printed and distributed in local hotels, maybe train stations and bus stations. Always leave your cards in news agents located in train and bus stations and A&E's at local hospitals.
Try to get same colour cars if possible and have your logos and numbers visible, it will help your company become a brand which people will remember.
Provide a reliable and honest service, employ cheerful and helpful drivers.
With good reputation you will get lot of business through word of mouth.
Offer discounts to staff of hotels, pubs, carehomes where you expect to get lot of business. Arrange meetings with managers of restaurants, hotels etc and try to get exclusive contracts.
Always take complaints seriously and keep record of them, always get back to customer and explain. Get rid of drivers who get over 3 complaints.
You can also have beer mats printed and distribute them in local pubs.
One thing to remember is 10% or 5% discount will not get you much business. People don't care about paying 50p extra for a good service.
You can have your own travel guide printed and distributed in local hotels, maybe train stations and bus stations. Always leave your cards in news agents located in train and bus stations and A&E's at local hospitals.
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Hi, I recommend using sms for your marketing!
get people to text in TAXI to a no. via their mobile!
I have just started go live on a mobile payments service from txtNation based in their Ireland office, well that's who i'm working with. So far so good, their service is great and they really care about their clients! Thumbs up txtNation brilliant!
If you want txtNation contact information let me know!
get people to text in TAXI to a no. via their mobile!
I have just started go live on a mobile payments service from txtNation based in their Ireland office, well that's who i'm working with. So far so good, their service is great and they really care about their clients! Thumbs up txtNation brilliant!
If you want txtNation contact information let me know!
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exactly what i have always thought, freephone 0800 numbers from mobiles are not free, but back in the day 0800 numbers offfered by taxi firms always got my business, even go with email.
Most people txt without even thinking and thats what peiople want when ordering a taxi, easy convinient fast services
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What about the 033 number range?
The main difference between 03 numbers and 08 numbers is the cost for people to call them. Calls to 03 numbers are charged at the same rate as geographic numbers (starting 01 and 02) and are included as part of any inclusive call minutes or discount schemes. This applies to calls from any major UK network operator (fixed line or mobile).
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Khalid,
I live in edinburgh and here's my answer: 2281211.
My decision on booking a taxi is as follows:
1. Call taxi company number I remember.
2. If they don't answer, start going through my phonebook on the mobile until I get one.
I don't even know the name of 2281211. I just know the number.
Have you got a memorable number?
I would avoid 0800 personally, I'd also avoid anything that isn't 0131. If you're an Edinburgh taxi co, you want an Edinburgh number.
Happy to meet for a coffee if you want and we could brainstorm a plan or ten?
I live in edinburgh and here's my answer: 2281211.
My decision on booking a taxi is as follows:
1. Call taxi company number I remember.
2. If they don't answer, start going through my phonebook on the mobile until I get one.
I don't even know the name of 2281211. I just know the number.
Have you got a memorable number?
I would avoid 0800 personally, I'd also avoid anything that isn't 0131. If you're an Edinburgh taxi co, you want an Edinburgh number.
Happy to meet for a coffee if you want and we could brainstorm a plan or ten?
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Because I want a local Taxi firm. 99% of the time, I'm phoning from my mobile, so I don't want the stupid message at the start of the call from my phone provider warning me that I'm going to be charged.
Generally a call to a taxi company is going to last less than a minute, so choosing 0800 over 0131 for the general public isn't something to worry about.
You want to convey a local presence with a Taxi firm. Making it an 0800 number causes:
1) Issues about the locality of the business
2) Problems in paying for the call if from a mobile
3) Unessential costs in the taxi business
Generally a call to a taxi company is going to last less than a minute, so choosing 0800 over 0131 for the general public isn't something to worry about.
You want to convey a local presence with a Taxi firm. Making it an 0800 number causes:
1) Issues about the locality of the business
2) Problems in paying for the call if from a mobile
3) Unessential costs in the taxi business
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I take your point about the 0800 and mobile charges but that is why there is now an 033 that doesn't incur call charges when dialled from mobiles.
What is your opnion on taxi companies providing a freephone taxi ordering service in supermarkets, a service used by locals, provided by a local taxi company and a service that cost's the taxi company many thousands of pounds per year, is this an unessential cost to the taxi company?
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I think its one thing marketing your company for new business but i know from our local taxi companies they do absolutely nothing to keep there existing clientele! We have a number of companies, I tend to be loyal so use the same one which is on my phone. Think about the customers that have rung you this evening, will they call you next week? Why should they? Have you text them to thank them for calling you, perhaps offer a loyalty card. if you keep your existing clients they will recommend you to others, The best form of... p/l
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How many people know about the 033 number? I bet you a hell of a lot more know about 0131. Why go with 033 when you can go with 0131 and remove any of those issues instantly?
How many times have you seen someone using the free phone in a supermarket? Years ago I used to work at Sainsbury's in Blackhall. I think in all my time working there, I might have seen it being used (at most) 10 times.
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The point about getting an 033 number is, get one now and get a memorable number, it is an option.
Why then, do taxi companies pay thousands to site a taxi booking service using a freephone number in supermarkets, if, as you say, they don't get used?
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Send you number via bluetooth in the centre of edinburgh, on a busy night.
They need the number in their mobiles, so now they have it. Hit numerous people at once, who are minutes away from grabbing a cab.
The memorable number is a good idea - how about calling your company by the number and not a name.
Who first springs to mind with directory enquiries??? Exactly!
They need the number in their mobiles, so now they have it. Hit numerous people at once, who are minutes away from grabbing a cab.
The memorable number is a good idea - how about calling your company by the number and not a name.
Who first springs to mind with directory enquiries??? Exactly!
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I assume you targeted the obvious? business? night clubs? Theatre? Venues? Larger shops and teamed up with some of them. Leave your details with them (cards/signs).
Team up with the organisers of larger or special events and see if you can have special rates.
Annoying song do help e.g. compare the market everyone hates it but everyone remembers it, they have been booming ever since those commercials came out.
The keyrings idea is fab also!
We had eco-cabs taking model to and from a roving catwalk for an ethical designer staged in front of the Natural history museum which got not only the designer but their cab company coverage as well.
MY preferred local cab company offers booking and payment online/phone/ accounts. Every single driver I had was personable: very respectful! Polite, thoughtful down to the music/radio selection and ALWAYS come to the door to collect the luggage (London does have some rude cabs lacking costumer service) as the good ones (should) do. Its a fantastic reputation to have and even the least loyal costumer is converted to a fan.
This is what really sales! They are the only one I book for myself and in particular for ANY visitors who always comment favourably and ask if I can book the same company as last time.
I had several visitors from all over the world who complain about the lack of costumer service all around in the UK but are usually impressed by this company.
Team up with the organisers of larger or special events and see if you can have special rates.
Annoying song do help e.g. compare the market everyone hates it but everyone remembers it, they have been booming ever since those commercials came out.
The keyrings idea is fab also!
We had eco-cabs taking model to and from a roving catwalk for an ethical designer staged in front of the Natural history museum which got not only the designer but their cab company coverage as well.
MY preferred local cab company offers booking and payment online/phone/ accounts. Every single driver I had was personable: very respectful! Polite, thoughtful down to the music/radio selection and ALWAYS come to the door to collect the luggage (London does have some rude cabs lacking costumer service) as the good ones (should) do. Its a fantastic reputation to have and even the least loyal costumer is converted to a fan.
This is what really sales! They are the only one I book for myself and in particular for ANY visitors who always comment favourably and ask if I can book the same company as last time.
I had several visitors from all over the world who complain about the lack of costumer service all around in the UK but are usually impressed by this company.
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Try new & cheaper means of marketing your taxi company. iBizz Business iPhone app adds a new dimension in which you can market your taxi company. Check it out on iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ibizz-business/id396330542?mt=8. Hope it helps.
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A
applemaidcleaning
Hi, i have mentioned it alot on here but here i go again
bluetooth marketing! 50m bluetooth dongle blueminer free down load software and a fantastic advert for it - send free ads to peoples mobiles...
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Khalid,
I learnt that ibizz business that I suggested in my previous post has capability to send messages not in the form of text messages but inbuilt msgs and that too it doesn't cost anything. I think it is a good app to try for and it is pretty cheap as well considering other means of marketing and promoting your business. I think you should try it and see if it works.
I learnt that ibizz business that I suggested in my previous post has capability to send messages not in the form of text messages but inbuilt msgs and that too it doesn't cost anything. I think it is a good app to try for and it is pretty cheap as well considering other means of marketing and promoting your business. I think you should try it and see if it works.
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A
applemaidcleaning
A nice image / logo with details on works wonders it will stay in the persons phone unless they delete it not just mobiles but will send to laptops if bluetooth is on
change the device name ie a laptop to "local-taxi" and people will click open as they will see this info - it works for both my companies.
This in itself is a business card and they can send to friends mobiles and so on..
We use an aircable xr and dbi antenna with blueminer software (free) and open space i would say we get 2-3 miles
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Khalid,
Go for something that is latest in technology and things that people are moving towards. All the companies big, medium or small is moving towards mobile world. If I were you I would get in touch with "iBizz Business" and get a dedicated offer for myself, if they have it.
While I am typing this post, one of the things that worries me all the time whenver I travel abroad is how to get a taxi at the airport or train station. Can u have something like that where I can book the taxi using my phone (I use an iPhone and majority of us these days) from Amesterdam itself without making international call or without spending a single penny, if I am travelling to London or in your case edinburgh. See if iBizz can do this for you. Wow I just came up with a fantastic idea here...
There is no harm in exploring better and latest options.
Go for something that is latest in technology and things that people are moving towards. All the companies big, medium or small is moving towards mobile world. If I were you I would get in touch with "iBizz Business" and get a dedicated offer for myself, if they have it.
While I am typing this post, one of the things that worries me all the time whenver I travel abroad is how to get a taxi at the airport or train station. Can u have something like that where I can book the taxi using my phone (I use an iPhone and majority of us these days) from Amesterdam itself without making international call or without spending a single penny, if I am travelling to London or in your case edinburgh. See if iBizz can do this for you. Wow I just came up with a fantastic idea here...
There is no harm in exploring better and latest options.
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T
TheGuru2010
Have you looked into local business's that are a bit on the outskirts?
IE: we are just on the outskirts of the town center so around a 2 min drive to town but this makes staff that use public transport in a difficult position. They have to get a bus to town & then another bus to get home - as the bus that passes our work is often 30 min after there finish time it makes it a time consuming journey for people who live only 5 miles away.
We never really paid much attention to this but often noticed a lot of taxis outside at finish time but from numerous company's.
No one actually ever approached us to see if we needed a taxi contractor (IE come through us for a discount).
Granted the discount the staff received was not massive but it does mount up & the taxi company got extra custom. It also had the knock on effect that they would use them when on a night out etc etc.
Just a thought
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T
TheGuru2010
What are you doing to keep your current customers loyal until you have built up the reputation?
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just trying to get to them asap was thinking about doing the key cards at 10% but will are the lowest in town at £2 1-4 for 0.2 miles which would bring it down to £1.80 which dont think the drivers would be happy with that! and 5-8 £3 0.5 all are taxis are wheel chair frendly just on the 5-8 ppl we beat the other by £3
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M
mrniazi
Hi we started off doing marketing for cab firms. But found it was quite difficult.
Most of Cab Firm growth today comes through the internet. People are just binning the cards that come through their letter boxes. Instead they are just going online and typing things in such as "mini cab ladysmith birmingham"
using their smartphones or ipads and pc's.
But to do well online there is an awful lot involved.
Having a website is no guarantee of it being seen.
If you pay for ads it will cost a fortune unless you know what you are doing.
Cost of website + booking + ongoing seo + ongoing cpc campaigns means having access to and changing websites + sorting out ad campaigns etc. and much more.
So we came up with a very simple solution at fareexchange.co.uk
we do all the expensive high risk marketing in an area and then redirect the calls to the cab firm.
So as soon as a cab firm signs up and buys a block of calls , they start receiving new local customer calls.
For the cab firm its a win win situation. Nothing needs to be installed, No contracts no tie ins just new customers
And the cab firms we are working with have doubled or trebled their business in a few days. More calls = more drivers = more money.
Most of Cab Firm growth today comes through the internet. People are just binning the cards that come through their letter boxes. Instead they are just going online and typing things in such as "mini cab ladysmith birmingham"
using their smartphones or ipads and pc's.
But to do well online there is an awful lot involved.
Having a website is no guarantee of it being seen.
If you pay for ads it will cost a fortune unless you know what you are doing.
Cost of website + booking + ongoing seo + ongoing cpc campaigns means having access to and changing websites + sorting out ad campaigns etc. and much more.
So we came up with a very simple solution at fareexchange.co.uk
we do all the expensive high risk marketing in an area and then redirect the calls to the cab firm.
So as soon as a cab firm signs up and buys a block of calls , they start receiving new local customer calls.
For the cab firm its a win win situation. Nothing needs to be installed, No contracts no tie ins just new customers
And the cab firms we are working with have doubled or trebled their business in a few days. More calls = more drivers = more money.
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Forget trying to get the low profit small runs try getting the bigger suns to the next town or airport etc.
Local adds print your costs to local towns and airports as a fixed rate
Facebook pay for local adverts to Facebook users telling them of your prices
Email companies offering good distant rates and other contract rates those companies who are international or large, emphasize the dangers of using self drive cars by travel tired staff from long flights or who have been on duty for long periods, duty of care etc
Most gimmicks don't work and are not cost efficient you need to get in front of Thousands and thats only by some form of print
Local adds print your costs to local towns and airports as a fixed rate
Facebook pay for local adverts to Facebook users telling them of your prices
Email companies offering good distant rates and other contract rates those companies who are international or large, emphasize the dangers of using self drive cars by travel tired staff from long flights or who have been on duty for long periods, duty of care etc
Most gimmicks don't work and are not cost efficient you need to get in front of Thousands and thats only by some form of print
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D
dealmegood.co.uk
i would suggest to keep online as leaflet drop is old school and go through the letter box straight to the bin whatever leaflet it is. i would concentrate on getting google ads out as you can have a target audience and a target place. i would get on all the free directories, push more through social media, offer discounts and deals, maybe even an incentive just to get customers through the door offer that through all social media.
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