Truck drivers and small fleet owners can receive discounts at gas stations around the US by using the Mudflap program. Referral fees, which are paid by the fuel stations Mudflap has partnered with, are how the company is funded. The business also has an affiliate business model. It means that it makes money by bringing in new clients for its associates.
In this article, we will explore how does Mudflap make money. We will also see what is Mudflap and how it works. These details will help us understand this business model and who is benefitting from it.
What is Mudflap?
Truck drivers and small fleet owners can receive discounts at gas stations around the US by using the Mudflap program. Because they source high gallon volumes, companies with large fleets typically have access to favorable prices that are beyond reach for small businesses or owner-operators.
Furthermore, there are settlement costs, monthly fees, and transaction fees associated with fuel cards, all of which can add up.
How does Mudflap work?
Let’s discuss how it functions. To begin, you must download the Mudflap app, which works with both iOS and Android smartphones. After creating an account, users select a nearby gas station. The 1,300+ gas stations that Mudflap partners with are all available on the app’s dedicated map feature.
Simply click the green button that appears and enter the 6-digit code that is automatically produced once you have located a fuel stop. After that, drivers present their code to the counter employee, who then activates the pump. The driver’s debit or credit card, which must first be added to their Mudflap account, is then used to deduct the money.
Once the employee has completed the job of filling gasoline, Mudflap just charges the associated card at the discounted rate. There are no credit checks or additional costs. Mudflap also collaborates with hundreds of independent gas stations, such as Road Ranger, AMBEST, Casey’s, and Roady’s.
To utilize Mudflap, in fact, you don’t even need to be a truck driver. Any owner of a diesel-powered vehicle, be it an RV or a pickup, is eligible for Mudflap savings.
How does Mudflap make money?
Fuel stations that Mudflap has partnered with pay the referral fees. This is the way of collecting funds for this company. As a result, Mudflap mostly uses an affiliate business model. As previously said, Mudflap only gets paid for these referrals when a sufficient number of drivers fill up at a particular gas station.
Moreover, Mudflap processes driver payments and settles them with the gasoline station partner, serving as the transaction’s merchant of record. Because it might default, Mudflap is the one who assumes the risk associated with the transaction. Thus, merchant partners can only profit from the gain without taking on any risk.
The primary benefit is merely the extra revenue Mudflap provides to the gas station. A driver’s decision to stop at a certain fuel station could be whether or not it supports Mudflap, as drivers can save as much as 40 cents per gallon.
All that the discount does is enable gas stations to cross-sell drivers on more profitable items. In the end, the majority of gas stations actually profit more from selling ancillary products like food and beverages than from the gasoline they sell.
In the meantime, drivers have access to savings that were previously only available to major fleet operators. Because word-of-mouth has played a major role in Mudflap’s growth to over 500,000 registered members, it is therefore not surprising.
Other than letting users save money, Mudflap’s fast sign-up process is one of the reasons for its explosive growth. Mudflap also takes care of all payments. Thus, it can onboard consumers in under a minute, allowing them to receive savings right away.
Furthermore, each merchant within the Mudflap network will have a personal terminal, which expedites the transaction verification process considerably. The final amount of the discounts may differ based on the agreement Mudflap has reached with its merchant partner. Its referral fee will typically exceed the fuel discount it offers.
In the future, Mudflap’s business model plan probably revolves around expanding the kinds of discounts its members can receive.
As previously mentioned, drivers are only currently eligible for diesel discounts. Mudflap still has access to a wide range of additional possibilities, such as different fuels, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), and even auxiliary goods and services like food and maintenance.
Considering the competition Mudflap confronts in the US, it makes sense to expand into as many verticals as possible. Upside and GasBuddy are two services that rapidly add more merchant partners.
Funding, Revenue, and Valuation for Mudflap
Crunchbase reports that Mudflap has raised $50 million in a single equity-based venture fundraising round. However, according to information from Pitchbook, the business had already raised money in a few more rounds. For example, the company received an additional $2.5 million in July 2019 from a seed round.
More than a dozen investors have contributed to Mudflap, such as QED Investors, Commerce Ventures, and 9Yards Capital. Unfortunately, Mudflap is not obligated to reveal its revenue or valuation numbers to the public because the company is still privately owned.
6 ways Mudflap generates revenue
Mudflap generates income from a variety of sources, which supports the company’s expansion and stability. Let’s examine more closely the several revenue streams that Mudflap produces:
- Platform for Booking Freight
Mudflap is a user-friendly online marketplace that links carriers and shippers. The platform gives shippers quick access to carriers and their services in exchange for a commission fee on completed transactions.
- Plans for Subscriptions
Mudflap gives carriers access to premium services, priority support, and more visibility through subscription-based plans. These subscription business concepts also provide a consistent flow of recurrent income.
- Value-added services
Mudflap offers value-added services, including real-time tracking, load optimization, and predictive analytics, in addition to its core platform. These services are extra-charged, which brings in more money for the business.
- Monetization of Data
Mudflap collects useful information from its platform, such as market trends, load types, and preferred routes. After being aggregated and anonymized, this data is sold to industry participants for use in strategic decision-making and market analysis.
- Collaborative Partnerships
Mudflap offers integrated services through partnerships with a variety of organizations. Revenue-sharing models are frequently used in these partnerships, which give Mudflap access to new markets and a cut of the money made.
- Promotions and Advertising
The platform offered by Mudflap offers an excellent area for focused marketing and promotions. Carriers and associated companies can advertise to a highly relevant audience, bringing Mudflap advertising money.
Examining Mudflap’s Strategies and Success Factors:
A number of crucial strategies and success factors have contributed to Mudflap’s ability to succeed in the cutthroat world of logistics:
- Technological Innovation:
Mudflap consistently invests in state-of-the-art technology, improving its platform’s functionality, usability, and efficiency. This dedication to innovation draws and maintains users.
- User-Centric Approach:
Mudflap tailors its services to effectively address its users’ needs and pain points by knowing their needs. Using a user-centric approach increases customer trust and loyalty.
- Robust Industry Partnerships:
The organization works in conjunction with shippers, carriers, and other industry players to create a strong ecosystem. These alliances also increase Mudflap’s market penetration and earnings potential.
- Data Security and Privacy:
Mudflap guarantees the protection of user information by placing a strong focus on data security and privacy. This dedication builds consumer trust and draws in companies that care about data security.
- Continuous Improvement:
Mudflap solicits user feedback on a regular basis and makes changes in response to their recommendations. Because of this iterative process, the platform remains relevant and adaptable to changing industry demands.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mudflap’s many revenue streams and strategic goals provide a solution to the question, “How does Mudflap make money?” Mudflap’s success and potential for future expansion are demonstrated by the niche it has carved out for itself in the logistics sector through its cutting-edge platform, worthwhile services, and industry partnerships.
We have understood different strategies that have helped Mudflap make money. It is clear that Mudflap makes money by 6 effective strategies. Professionals have developed its business model with great care to make it profitable for the owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are individual truck owners able to take advantage of Mudflap’s services?
Yes, Mudflap’s platform works with both individual truck owners and large fleet operators, giving everyone a fair chance to succeed.
Q. Is there an up-front cost for carriers to sign up with Mudflap?
It is not essential for carriers to pay anything upfront to use Mudflap’s platform. For its services, the business uses a pay-as-you-go business model.
Q. How does Mudflap make sure the information it gives industry stakeholders is accurate?
Mudflap uses sophisticated data aggregation methods together with anonymization procedures to guarantee the integrity and confidentiality of the information it shares.
