As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, more and more people are either forced to work from home or are choosing to do so to stay safe. Whatever your reason for running a home-based business, there are a few services you should employ to make it a success. To get you started, here’s a list of core services every home-based business needs:
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IT Support
Your personal and business data is extremely valuable. If your home-based business processes client or customer data of any kind, it always needs to be protected. Most business owners don’t know how to protect this data properly, which is where small business IT support comes in. Not only can an IT expert fix any technical issues you may be experiencing, but they can also identify any weaknesses in your company’s security software to prevent a data breach.
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Free and Low-Cost Resources
Even if you’re working from home because the pandemic is forcing you to, keeping costs low is a priority. While commuting costs are virtually non-existent these days, there are other ways to save money with a home-based business.
For example, you can use Google Voice as a free business phone. This service gives you a free phone number and voicemail, and you can forward it to your smartphone to receive calls from anywhere. Other free/low-cost services to consider include FreshBooks (accounting software) and Wave Accounting (to create professional invoices).
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Virtual Office Space
You can work from home and your business can still look professional to the outside world if you use a virtual office. For a small monthly fee, you can rent virtual office space that enables you and your employees to have the benefits of a physical office without the expense of one. A virtual office includes a wide range of office functions conducted through the internet. It’s a way of having a professional appearance, even when you’re working out of your basement in your pajamas.
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Freelancer Platforms
Working from home doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself. Much of today’s office work can be done online, which means you have many options when it comes to hiring others to help you. For instance, Upwork is a website that brings business owners and freelancers together. Business owners post jobs they need help with, and freelancers bid on them. You select the person best suited for the job and a contract is created. Upwork takes a small fee for providing this service.
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Professional Groups
From a social standpoint, working from home can be a bit challenging. You miss out on the face-to-face engagement that goes together with working in a store or office setting. Since the coronavirus has us social distancing, it’s difficult to actually get out and interact in person, but there are many professional groups online you can join and interact with using video chat. Many of these professional groups use Zoom, a video conferencing service that allows you to conduct meetings and get-togethers online.
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Marketing
Marketing for a home-based business is just as important as it is to a brick and mortar one. As such, you need to make sure your budget includes funds for a strong marketing campaign. They say you must spend money to make money, and with a home-based business, this is especially true. Even if you think your budget doesn’t allow for it, you should still find the time and cash for marketing to help your business grow and succeed.
Your home-based business will require a big time commitment, but by employing some of the suggestions above, you can transform that investment into lasting success.