There’s a lot to consider when thinking about moving out of your home office and into a high street retail store or office. Certain businesses are better suited to specific environments. So, it’s important to make sure your business will excel from the prime location.
Home
Benefits:
Relaxed Schedule
No office, no store, equals no working hours. Well, no official ones anyway. Your zero-hour contract means you can do as much, or as little as you like on any given day. This is the sort of freedom that some parents may crave. A relaxed type of schedule might attract freelance writers in particular. Could this type of working life benefit you?
No Childcare Costs
There is no need to fork out for childcare while you’re working from home. Many parents can care for their children, or family members while working from their living room. Advances in technology have meant that our work and home lives can now run parallel alongside each other, and this is great.
Drawbacks:
Lack of Social Contact
I have children, but if you don’t have kids, then this can be very disheartening! It’s nice to have somebody to chat with and work alongside all day – even if they do grind your gears now and again. Are you the type of person who would miss this sort of daily interaction?
Limited to Online
While the internet is one of the most powerful tools for buying, selling, marketing and growing a business, it is also somewhat limiting. As a small, work-from-home business is unlikely that you will possess a massive online presence. Therefore, you’re not going to be able to maximise your client base as well as you could be as if you were based on the high street.
High street
Benefits:
Retail Store
If your business lends itself to having a retail store to market and sell your products in then make use of it! Your company will benefit from an increased volume of sales thanks to the vast number of shoppers on high streets. You’ll also get passers-by coming into your store, creating extra revenue by being tempted into impulse buys. POS displays are excellent for this. You may want to consider these aspects if your business is still stuck online.
Offices
If you don’t need a shop for your business, and your work is simply desk-based, then consider the high street. Hiring an office is a great way to improve the reputation of your business and also allows you to distribute your work. It opens up the possibility to hire employees and provides that social element you may have been lacking at home.
Drawbacks:
Strict Working Hours
Moving to the high street means self-imposed working hours, which are never nice. You also have no time to look after family members or children – which would be a struggle for most parents.
Running Costs
There is also the maintenance of your office or retail store to consider. Does this concern you? If so, it may be worth looking into a fully serviced office. Sadly, you’re out of luck with a retail store.
This guide has outlined the benefits and drawbacks of both the home and the high street. Hopefully, it has helped you make an informed decision on what is best for your business.