According to the Small Business Administration, over 50% of businesses are based at home. Running a business from your home provides a number of great benefits for new entrepreneurs, including fewer overheads and being able to work as and when suits without having to go into the office. But, how do you go about starting a business from the comfort of your own home? Is it easier said than done?
Here are some useful tips you may like to take into consideration when it comes to making the decision about whether running a home-based business is a feasible option for you:
1. Think about finances
Although you don’t have to worry about having to pay out rent for an office or factory, you still need to purchase the necessary equipment and tools to get your business up and running. Without the adequate savings in your bank, running a business from home is near enough impossible. You still need money to live on and purchase business essentials before you even make that first sum of profit. Luckily, there are installment loans available for personal or business use when you have no other financial option. Most lenders will even approve a bad credit score if the lender can prove they can repay the cash on the deadline date. The benefit of this type of loan is that they can be paid back gradually, so you never find yourself in financial difficulty.
2. Create an environment you feel good in
When working from home, it can be easy to feel as though you’re closing down your world, due to spending the majority of your time in your own space. This is why it’s important to set up a dedicated room or workstation to run your business from. You should feel relaxed in your environment, but also very productive. If this isn’t the case, it’s unlikely running a business from home will be a good long-term solution.
Any workplace environment undergoes a risk assessment to be sure that employees are as safe and comfortable as possible during the working day. You should also focus on the procedures for your own well-being and invest in high-quality equipment that will serve you well. If you are going to be seated at a desk all day for example, be sure to invest in an ergonomic chair and a desk that’s right height so you aren’t at risk of repetitive strain or pulling muscles.
You may eventually discover that your type of business isn’t suitable for home-based work, so testing the waters first of all would be the best plan of action.
3. Market your business well
As your business isn’t in the public eye so to speak, the way in which you market your business is crucial if you want people to know you exist. If you’re keen to remain at home, you may wish to target locals more so than a worldwide audience and keep the business small-scale.
A few key marketing strategies are crucial:
- Word of mouth : There is no better word of promotion than word of mouth. Customers who are satisfied with your product may encourage others to purchase from you if they are happy with your service – so encourage them to do so.
- A website: Any customer will be more likely to purchase form you if they have a website they can browse through to find out more about you, your company and your brand’s message.
- Social media: Ensure your brand has a profile on all main social media accounts including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to gain an active following.