Essentials for getting your home business up and running

Setting up a business is an exciting time. Remember, when getting it up and running, you are joining the thousands of other small business owners and setting up shop in their home, if this sounds like familiar we have some top tips on the essentials needed to invest in to get a business off to a flying start.

Know your idea

What is the business? Have this written down with a clear focus. From here, make a business strategy and plan. In the strategy, include the vision and goals. Make a list of core values too, this will help guide when making decisions.

Invest in the right tools

Now you know your business, it’s time to get the tools to help do the job. This can be the difference in getting sales or not. If, for example, it’s a rafting business being launched, don’t use kitchen scissors to cut fabric or card. Invest in proper scissors or knives for the task at hand. While it does require spending a bit of  money, it means the task can be done to a high standard and more efficiently.

Don’t forget the tech…

Is a computer or tablet needed to run the business? If the answer is yes, look into getting one separate to the personal household device. For those who share a laptop with a partner, for example, there’s no need to set up a rota to decide who gets to use the laptop and when. Instead, have all of the business devices separate from personal ones. It’s best for convenience, professionalism and organisation.

…Or the printer

This is often forgotten about until it’s needed, but don’t forget to invest in a printer. There are many available to suit a range of budgets, but if this is a device that will play a big role in a business – such as printing items off to be sold – look at investing in a high-quality printer capable of printing a variety of materials. If it’s just simply needed to print off forms, receipts and invoices, a basic printer will work well. Be sure to stock up on necessities such as printer ink cartridges, there’s nothing worse than a project grinding to halt because there’s not enough ink.

Find a designated space

To get a business up and running, be sure to have a designated workstation. Whether it’s a spare bedroom with a desk placed in there or one end of the dining room table, choose a space and make it yours. It’s okay not to have a bright and shiny office, some of the world’s biggest businesses were launched from home:

1) Amazon: Jeff Bezos’ garage

2) Apple: Steve Jobs’ garage

3) Google: Susan Wojcicki’s (current YouTube CEO) garage

4) Hewlett Packard: Dave Packard’s garage

5) Facebook: Harvard dorm room

6) Disney: Walt Disney’s uncle’s home.

While it’s not necessary to have a garage or a huge space, get a desk, a comfy chair and a quiet spot to focus.

Check the finer details

Now onto the finer details of getting a business up and running. Come up with a name for a business first, then register it. Depending on the industry it may be required to do a bit of paperwork. For those planning on handling food, contact the council and get a hygiene rating. Once all of the legal bits are complete, start marketing the business.

Make a plan for social media

Now you have been given the go-ahead, get a logo designed and set up social media pages. These are great for advertising and marketing a business and interacting with customers. Post behind the scenes images and videos to draw attention to the brand. This is a free way to advertise and market a business so it’s important to use all of the channels available:

1) Facebook: Great for longer updates

2) Instagram: Perfect for visual updates

3) Twitter: Short snippets and customer interaction

4) Pinterest: For inspiration

Over time, it may feel like all of them are wasting time and most customers and potential customers are gravitating towards one platform more than the other, so use this. Don’t waste time on Twitter if, for example, all of the interaction is on Facebook as it’s not a good use of time or resources. When doing the initial “knowing your business”, get a basic understanding of the target audience, age, gender and work out which social media platform is best for the business to reach the right people.

When initially setting up a business from home there is much to be done, the essentials are covered here. Once these have been taken care of the rest will fall nicely in place.

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