With the growth of e-commerce and the advent of new technologies, like cloud computing, there’s a whole host of modern businesses that are no longer restricted to the boundaries of the office. There are now over 4.2 million people across the UK working from home, up by more than 800,000 since 2005. Given the fact that operating remotely allows you to cut your running costs dramatically, many entrepreneurs will be wondering how they can successfully set up their own business from home.
How Will You Motivate Yourself?
Working from home requires a certain kind of skillset that it doesn’t suit everyone. Many people experience a difficult transition period when making the switch from a traditional office-based environment. It requires you be able to create your own regular schedule and stick to it. Otherwise, you’ll never stay productive and be a success. If you’re the type of worker who looks to others to spur you on, this may not be the best option for you. However, if you’re the type of person who can learn how to ignore the distractions around you, this may be perfect.
How Will You Create a Legitimate Business?
One of the biggest obstacles for any small businesses is simply getting noticed. Even though there are now more people working from home than ever before, many customers and business owners alike will still consider you as simply a hobby-project. One of the ways you can deal with this is to work with a virtual office provider who can give you a business address in a prestigious location. You’ll be able to advertise this address on your website, as well as access a variety of business support services like mail redirection so that you can keep your personal address private.
How Will You Deal with Third-Parties?
Finally, you may think that working from home means that you’ll be entirely on your own, but this isn’t the case. You’ll be more dependent on third-parties to help you than ever before. The reality is that no-one can take a product to market all by themselves. Whether it’s the owner of the warehouse that stores your inventory or the courier service who’s responsible for your goods reaching your customers, it’s crucial that you can deal with third-parties effectively. Building strong relationships here could lead you to reduced rates or invaluable knowledge about the inner-workings of your industry.
