Coach Hire Comparison has celebrated its 10th birthday by announcing plans to double in size. As part of that, its website has undergone a rebrand and received technical and visual improvements.
The Derbyshire-based price comparison business was founded in July 2010 by husband and wife team James and Laura Stokes (pictured). It has grown since then to work with more than 220 operators that have a total of almost 2,800 vehicles.
Derby-based creative agency Fluid Ideas engaged with Coach Hire Comparison to execute the rebrand. Fluid Ideas also improved the website user experience. That work included making quote requests simpler and ensuring that communication between the operator and the customer is faster and more transparent.
Coach Hire Comparison handled 30,000 quote requests in the six months to December 2019. 80% of those were fulfilled. Operators that use its website are typically smaller businesses with up to five vehicles. They pay a monthly fee to be listed.
Mr Stokes says that around 4,000 operators nationwide fit Coach Hire Comparison’s target market profile. He adds that joining opens a new revenue stream. Potential work that is published on its website include airport transfers, school and corporate trips, group outings, hen and stag parties, wedding hires and race days.
Before launching Coach Hire Comparison, Mr and Mrs Stokes ran an executive minibus hire business, which they sold in 2012.