In an almost post-pandemic world, many businesses are allowing their employees to keep working from home, and many small business owners are running their businesses from home. Many people may think that this is an easy feat, while others may think that it’s harder to run a business from home than it is from an actual office.
An important thing to note here is that some places don’t allow certain types of businesses to be run in a household located in a residential area, so make sure that your type of business can be run from home. If you have the green light, here are four tips to ensure that your home business runs smoothly.
#1: Create a Proper Work Environment
If you’ve worked in an office or anywhere else outside of your home, you’ll quickly realize that working from home is a lot different. Whether you have kids or even if you live alone, if you’ve never worked at home before, it can feel kind of strange. Your work-life balance can become blurred if you’re doing work from your home. That’s why it’s important to create a space in your home that’s specifically designed for work.
The key to creating a positive workstation in your home is to have all the essentials that will keep you productive and make you successful. This can include things like:
- A comfortable and fitting desk, chair, and computer/laptop.
- Proper lighting.
- Adequate ventilation.
- Inspiring decor.
You’ll want to be as productive as you can be, which includes having the right equipment and being comfortable. There are several other things that can be done to relieve stress while working from home.
#2: Establish a Professional Work Schedule
When working a typical “nine to five”, your work schedule is set, but when you’re self-employed and working from home, you have to set and adhere to your own hours. Depending on what type of business you’re running, you can opt to work hours that work best for you. For instance, if you’re a stay-at-home parent, then you can schedule your work hours during the same time your kids are in school. If you’re a night owl, then you can work later hours (if the business you’re in allows for it). The key thing is to create a schedule that works for you and to stick to it.
#3: Obtain the Proper Permits and Insurance
Running a business from home, you’re not free from all responsibilities. You still need to make sure that your business has all of the proper permits and any necessary insurance. In order to run your business legally, be sure to have tax registrations and occupational licenses deemed necessary by your state and/or local government.
Also remember that every business needs insurance, and it’s important to make sure that your business has the proper insurance. For example, if you use your car to deliver products from your home to your customers, you’ll need commercial auto insurance in addition to your personal auto insurance.
Commercial insurance is similar to personal insurance, but it covers any mishaps related to your business— which will not be covered under your personal car insurance. You can compare car insurance rates for commercial insurance in the same way you would for personal insurance.
#4: Treat it Like You’re Actually Working in an Office
Just because you’re running a business from your home doesn’t mean you can be more relaxed. After all, it’s still a business and you want it to succeed. Don’t forget about small business taxes. Different taxes may still affect your business, and many small businesses have to pay quarterly federal taxes.
You can definitely run a successful business right from inside your home if you’ve acquired everything you need to succeed. Always remember that even though you’re home, this is still your business and you want it to be successful, just like you would if you were working from an office.
Samantha Acuna is a writer based in San Francisco, CA. Her work has been featured in The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, and Yahoo Small Business.
