Last Updated on Mar 11, 2020 by James W
Working from home is a joyous experience, but one that we can grow tired of very quickly. Many people give up on their work from home business because they find it too difficult to differentiate between home and work time. If you’re having the same problems then don’t throw in the towel; simply expand your business instead. The business world is all about taking risks and opting to move into an office or shop can be a huge risk. However, we’ve put together a handy guide to minimise the risk and ensure your expansion works for you.
Find the right property
The first thing you need to do is find the right kind of property for your business. Depending on the products or services you provide, there are several options. Shops are for those who have a particular product they wish to sell, whereas offices tend to be more for service oriented businesses. Use a commercial estate agent to find what suits you and your budget, preferably somewhere local and convenient to commute to. You may not find something right away, but don’t give up! You will still have your home based business ticking away while you search, so settle for nothing less than perfect.
Adjusting to changes
Working from an office or shop is bound to be very different from working at home, but don’t be too worried about these changes. It may take a little while to get used to, which is something to be expected and enjoyed. You’ll soon find that there’s nothing better than locking up the office and returning home after a hard day’s work. Just remember that you have expanded to spend more quality time with your family, so don’t spend 12 hours a day in the office. If you’re struggling to adapt to the changes then try to work from home again for a few days. It won’t be long before you’re begging to go back to your workplace.
Advertising the business
Now that you have expanded, you’re probably going to have a lot more outgoings than you did before. It is absolutely vital that you advertise your business more aggressively, by using the new methods that have opened up to you. If you’re working in an office block then try to do some networking with the other businesses in the building; you’ll be surprised how many new contacts you can make through this simple process. If you’re running a shop then don’t forget to invest in marketing tools such as IVC signs for the building, windows and interior. You have a whole range of options to market that weren’t there before, so make the most of them to cover your extra expenses.
Expanding your business takes a lot of dedication, a sprinkle of good fortune and one giant leap of faith. Although it may seem daunting at first, the rewards will far outweigh the initial struggles. There’s something so satisfying about going from a work at home business to a fully fledged, on your local high street, company. Good luck and enjoy it!
