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Buying a commercial vehicle for your business can be expensive, particularly if you run your own business, where costs are tight. Make the most of your money by taking the time to think about what you need from your van, what you can afford and how you*re going to find it.

What do I need?

Perhaps you'll only be making occasional deliveries in your van, or perhaps you'll be driving it on long distance visits every day. The number of miles you cover in your vehicle influences the sort of van you'll buy. In addition, it's important that you think about what you'll be carrying in the back. Do you only need a small space so that you can transport cleaning equipment or flower bouquets, or do you have large, heavy or bulky equipment that is essential to your business? Making a list of what you need to transport and how often and where you need to transport it to will help you to narrow down the type of van that will be best for you.

What can I afford?

Your budget is hugely important. Not only does it have to cover the price of your vehicle, but also the insurance, the fitting, any sign-writing you need, fuel costs and service and maintenance charges. The overall cost is much more than you might think and you'll need to set aside enough funds to make sure you can keep your van on the road, particularly if it's going to play a big part in the growth of your business.

Where do I get a van from?

The traditional routes for buying a commercial vehicle have been specialist dealerships, who often advertise in trade journals and magazines and local papers. These dealers are still the main source of new and used commercial vehicles, but are now paying much more attention to the benefits of advertising and selling over the internet. The majority of people search online for something new * whether it's a new coat or a new van, so as a dealer it pays to be seen. As a customer, it's a great idea to look on the internet first so that you can compare and contrast prices without leaving your home.