Time to take your business from home to the high street

A lot of small businesses start off as something we do from home, especially when we have a family to look after. However, as your business grows you might find that eventually you need to move from your home office to a real, physical office or retail shop. There are several things you need to think about when you start to do this. Before embarking on your journey, be sure to read through this checklist to help you.

Plan early

You don’t want to get to a point where you need office space immediately. You want to be able to take your time and find the perfect thing for you. Therefore, give yourself plenty of notice for finding that office. This way you can hunt around, view several properties and find the right space for your needs. Many people get pushed into hiring a space that is too large for them just because they are in a rush. Don’t fall into this trap.

Internet

Regardless of whether your business is an online one or not, most companies require the use of the internet. Many internet providers offer special deal for businesses and may be able to throw in mobile phone contracts as well. Shop around to find the best deal and before you settle, make sure you have done your research. Is the company you are choosing a reliable one? Have they got a good reputation for customer service and will they offer you the best price on the market. If you talk to someone in their acquisitions department you may also be able to negotiate a special deal with them. Never be afraid to ask for a lower price. Remember that the worst they can say is no!

Setting up a shop

If you are creating a shop rather than an office space, think about the best kind of space to display your goods. Do you need a shop with a large window front so you can showcase your products? Think about ways to make this display appealing to customers who will be walking past on the high street. You should also consider location. What demographic are you trying to reach and where do they tend to shop? Can you rent a space in that area so your core audience can visit you?

Equipment

Any office or shop will need equipment to get started. You will need things like computers and phone lines, and possibly even a till and card reader if you are opening a store. Think about ways you can save money on all of these things. Do your research to find the best available prices. For instance, when it comes to computer equipment, this can end up costing a lot. You don’t have to spend a fortune however on buying the top products. You can buy secondhand or refurbished computers instead. If you need a card reader, you need to consider things like which companies give you the best rates. Some companies will charge obscene amounts just for you to put through a small transaction. Look into payment processing companies like WorldPay and see what the best services are.

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What about serviced offices?

You could save yourself a lot of the hassle of sourcing all the bits and pieces for your office by choosing fully serviced offices instead. Many serviced offices come with everything you need to successfully run your business. This include IT equipment like printers. Imagine all the money you would save on not having to fork out on things like that. It also require minimum effort. You don’t have to worry about getting a cleaning team in. The office managers will take care of all of that for you.

Staff

You may or may not be looking to hire new staff to help you in this new phase of your business. However, if you are looking to hire, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, what roles do you think you can do yourself and where do you think you need help? Secondly, when you come to interviewing, you should make sure you get on well with the person. No one wants to work with people they find difficult or dull. Lastly, consider your applicants’ skills and how they all fit the role. You shouldn’t be afraid to bring people in for a second or third interview to double check they are a good fit. You could even suggest a trial day to see how they handle it.

If you are taking this step towards building your business empire, good luck!

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