Congrats! By starting your business out of your home, you’re joining the ranks of some of the most famous businesses in the world, like Apple, Amazon, and Google.
From cutting down on overhead to an unbeatable commute, there are dozens of reasons why a home-based business is a bright idea.
Yet, with incredible convenience and low cost come some other pretty big considerations. Read on for some of our pro tips on how to get your garage start-up going smoothly.
Prioritize Safety
Home is where your business is. It’s also where so much else you care about is, like your family, friends, and worldly possessions. This is why it’s so important not to skimp on safety.
Depending on what kind of business you’re running, you’re likely to have lots of people coming through at all times. As you grow, you’ll be inviting prospective clients, investors, partners, and employees into your home.
Consider installing a security system around your office space to protect any sensitive information or expensive office materials. When it comes time to start expanding your team, don’t be afraid to run a thorough background check before you are considering hiring a candidate. Research professional firms like Scoutlogic background screening before finalizing any potential hires.
It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.
Build a Separate Workspace
According to a 2018 report from the Small Business Association (SBA), roughly half of all small businesses in the U.S. operate from home, and it’s easy to see why. But starting a home business doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to work with your laptop in bed. It sounds like a dream come true, but soon you’ll probably be craving a special space in your home designated for your business.
Whether it’s to maintain focus in work mode or keep out unwanted distractions like kids and pets, the ability to shut the door to your “office” is vital.
If you can afford some light construction for the sake of your business’ success, there are plenty of contractors out there who specialize in these sorts of additions or modifications.
If not, an unused guest room, dining room, or even garden shed is easy to spruce up and re-design to fit your needs with just a little innovative furnishing.
Invest in Web Development
Since you can’t rely on your storefront curb appeal to draw in customers, you’ll have to get a little more innovative. In the age of digital media, your web presence is critical.
Luckily, there are tons of ways to go about this. There’s the necessary first step of purchasing a web domain name and designing your site.
Beyond a simple website, though, you could play around with putting together a blog to bring in web traffic. You could also splurge on a social media specialist to take the reins on your business’ Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Basically, do whatever you must to reach all those future customers out there.
Research the Legalities
Every business has a bundle of legal intricacies to sift through initially, and a home business is no different. Actually, your legal concerns are more significant when you combine office and home.
For instance, your home insurance will likely change significantly now that you’ve added a business to your assets. Even if you’re a renter, your landlord might have specific rules around home operations, so definitely check your lease.
Of course, office safety is a must, so see what OSHA has to say about home businesses. Plus, if you have employees, you’ll want to check out how workers’ comp works for home offices.
These are just a few of the legal snags you might run into on your way to a successful home business, so do some research yourself or hire legal counsel.
The Bottom Line
Before you take off, don’t let any of this discourage you from pursuing your dream of a home business. Better to think through the tricky details now than later, so nothing can compromise your success.
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