Why be a slave to the corporate world and abide by a fixed nine-to-five schedule when you can control your own office hours and start your own business? Even better, why leave your house at all when you can work from home? There are so many opportunities just waiting to be discovered, and any product or skill can be advertised online. Even physical stores are starting their e-commerce sites to cater to more customers. With the flexibility offered by the internet and the rising number of people transacting online, your business will gain traction if you dedicate your time to it. There’s no better time to start than now.
Here are three things you need to get your online business started:
High-speed Cable Internet
Of course, you cannot start an internet business if you don’t have internet connectivity. Any internet service provider in your area will do, but if you want the strongest connection, look into the packages they offer. Some inexpensive plans may have data restrictions and capping, while others offer unlimited internet plans that make it easier for you to do all your business transactions from the comfort of your own home. Choose a plan that gives enough coverage for the data you need to stay connected, send out emails, and advertise your business without interruption. When choosing your ISP, pay attention to the inclusions in their plan, and ask them about the initial payment you need to put down for the installation. It’s a good idea to talk to your ISP for your mobile phone, because you will already be in their records as a loyal customer. This may entitle you to some discounts if you have a good record.
Home Phone
Though all business transactions may be completed online, some customers may need to contact you through the phone for some clarifications. A home phone is also essential in listing your business in online directories. You need a valid phone number to improve your credibility and to complete your contact information on Google My Business and the Better Business Bureau. You can get a separate phone line for your home, but you will save money if you get a bundle from your internet service provider. The bundle may already include the internet connectivity, TV, and home phone. Having all of these under the same plan eliminates the hassle of paying for separate subscriptions every month. These bundles help you save money too, which is great if you’re just starting your business and want to save your money. With the savings you get from the bundled plan, you can think of the TV connectivity as a freebie when you get your internet and home phone. Sounds sweet, right?
Home Office
You have the internet connection. Your phone is set up. You’re ready to start business operations from home. Though you don’t need a home office, setting one up is a good way to separate your personal life from your professional life–even at home. It doesn’t need to be a big room; it can just be a small corner in the living room or bedroom where you gather all your business-related documents and conduct all your online transactions. This helps you focus on the tasks you need to complete, and motivates you to be productive. When you’re just starting to work from home, you may think it’s a great idea to have the complete freedom to do your job any time you want, but after a couple of months, you will want to follow a schedule. This way, you’re able to track how much time you are spending on work, and you can work less and spend more time with your family. If you have kids, they will know not to disturb you while you’re in your home office, so you don’t get distracted from your tasks.
Stepping away from the workforce does not mean you can’t earn money. When you control your own work hours, you control your earnings, too. Starting your own internet business is a great way to be financially stable without compromising the time you spend with your family. It may be a little tough when you’re starting out, but if you have a stable internet connection and a phone line that enables you to make business calls anytime, you’ll get your bearings fast.
