If you are thinking about setting up a home office, then there are a few decisions you need to make so that it works the best way possible. You need to decide on what furniture you will have as well as the space you will need for your office. However, a big part is what technology you will need, because working from home means you are relying on technology to keep you in contact with the outside world.
Internet Connection
Most people now have an internet connection in their home, but, for a business, you might need something extra. For example, if you have basic broadband internet, then this might not be fast enough to handle the type of work you need to do. If you have online meetings or you are running a live chat, then your internet will need to be fast. You can get faster speeds by having your computer plugged into the router itself. You can still use the wireless feature for the rest of the house, but you can get the benefit of faster internet speeds.
A Business Mobile Phone
You probably have your own mobile phone, but you should also get a business one so that you can separate the calls. There are often business contracts offered by many mobile operators that can offer good deals. It is also worth thinking about having it listed under your business insurance in case you damage it or drop it in water and need to find out how to dry your mobile phone. Your clients and your business associates should only have this number that way you can always turn it off when you are not working.
A Computer or Laptop
For the home office, a laptop or a computer is essential. Most of your business will be conducted online so you will need a way to email clients and send documents. If you are planning to visit other companies or even peoples homes, then a laptop or tablet is the ideal solution. You can set up an account for cloud storage so that you can access your documents wherever you are. You can also use it to show your products to clients and help them place orders.
Remote Payment Systems
Although you will probably be doing most of your business online, if you ever need to take payments directly, then it is a good idea to have a payment device available. There are many such devices now on the market, and many of them have internal mobile data, so you don’t need to connect to Wi-Fi. They are a good alternative to carrying lots of cash, and they fit in with people’s preference now for card payments.
Technology plays a big part in offices and none more so than the home office which is becoming the popular choice. If you can get the technology that you need, then you can successfully run your business from home or on the move visiting your clients.
