A Mini Guide to Running a Business from Your Home
Running a business from the comfort of your home doesn’t need to be a dream. A few changes to your property and some careful planning could soon help you kickstart a venture without leaving your front door.
As a result, you could lower your business overheads and enjoy a better work-life balance, helping your business get off to the best possible start.
Of course, you must create a dedicated, quiet, and legal environment for your startup to become a success. For superb advice, read this mini guide to running a business from your home.
Seek Permission If Necessary
Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to seek permission to legally operate a company from your home. You likely will not need a permit to run a small, web-based venture, as it is unlikely to disturb your neighbours.
However, you will likely need to seek planning permission if you:
- Welcome many customers into your home
- Need to make considerable changes to your property
- Install a sign to promote your business
- Perform activities unexpected in a residential area
- Store business-related items outside the property
Tenants may need permission from a landlord to run a home business, as their tenancy agreement may prohibit them from doing so. Also, you may need to consult your mortgage provider if you own your home.
Set Up a Dedicated Space
If you are running a business from your living room, dining room, or spare bedroom, you are bound to experience various distractions each day, such as loud household chatter, unexpected visitors, and even the temptation to watch TV.
Improve your focus and motivation by setting up a dedicated office space. For instance, you can choose from various garden rooms at ukgardenbuildings.co.uk to create an attractive home office, salon, or workshop that will allow you to work in comfort and privacy. Many sizes and styles are available to complement your company’s needs and budget, too.
Invest in Various Business Insurance Policies
Every business, regardless of its size, must invest in one or more insurance policies to protect its finances and future. Various options are available to match your company’s specific needs. For example, a professional indemnity policy will protect your business from claims of negligence, omissions, or errors. Also, business interruption insurance will cover potential revenue loss caused by an unexpected event.
Set Up a Professional Office Address
As you will want to appear professional to all customers or clients, it is wise to avoid using your home address on your website, promotional materials, and business cards. Maintain a professional image by using a virtual office for a registered office address, which may forward any post to your home. Also, you can choose from many prestigious postcodes to impress prospective clientele and improve your business’s reputation and revenue.
Alternatively, you can set up a P.O. Box number with Royal Mail to use on your contact information. If you need to occasionally meet clients, hire a professional meeting room to protect your brand’s credibility and reputation.
