Having a home based business can be a great way to experience freedom in your workplace and success doing something you love. There are many factors to consider when deciding to start a home business and research can be your friend. The tips below can be a great starting point to help you make the right decisions for your home business.
Get a dedicated phone line. This is essential, regardless if it’s a home or cell phone, if you spend a lot of time talking to clients on the phone. This expense is 100% deductible. If you talk to your clients occasionally, make a note of the calls, and write them off as an expense as long as you have back up to prove that it is a business call.
Make sure you keep accurate records of all your home business activity. It’s easy to put off pesky record-keeping tasks till you feel like doing them, but strive to keep everything pertaining to your business up-to-date so that you won’t be confused and stressed out later on.
Set up a Post Office box for all your business mail. It’s best to do this, rather than put your family at risk by using your physical address. This is especially important if you are doing most of your business online. Don’t ever post your home address online, for any reason.
Buy a web site that has ecommerce capability. Before you buy, decide whether you want to hire someone else to build your site or do it yourself. Many services offer a web site domain and hosting package, with tools to help you build your own site and load a catalog of products to sell.
Have made or make a banner and logo for your business website. Carry this design through on your business cards, stationery, post cards, and fliers. Use an online printing service that allows you to upload your own artwork or choose one of their default designs. Just add your text, select the products you want and create your business brand.
Stay focused and always make sure you have detailed financial records. The IRS has the ability to audit you at any time, and as a business owner, you need to be prepared for this. Having great records can also keep you sure of how your doing income-wise every month.
Do not forget about taxes! When you are running a home business, it is easy to put aside the thought of paying the government. However, you not only have to pay federal and state taxes, but you also must pay something called a self-employment tax. It may be best to obtain the help of an accountant to get you started.
Keep a record of your business related mileage. You can use this information to receive a tax break. They credit you per mile that you drive, which adds up to a nice sum at the end of the year. Create a spreadsheet to help you with this process and keep a copy in your car to remind you to write down your information at the end of a trip.
Make sure your home business web site looks professional and is designed with the user in mind. While there are numerous options to build your own site for little or no cost, often investing a little in a clean and professional design pays off quickly. Visitors are more likely to return again or recommend your site if it is easy to use and appealing.
It is not hard to promote a business once you know what you are doing. Try creating a website for a home business. You can easily create a quality website in a day or two. You may be able to register a free domain in some places, but some of them require a fee. Even if there is a fee, the profits from your site will quickly make up for it.
Your home business should have promotional materials galore. Some websites have exceptional deals on business cards, so look out for deals. Either way, a professional, streamlined business card will make your business look efficient and organized. Your customers will also have a handy reference to keep on hand for future transactions.
When starting your own home based business, it’s important to define exactly what it is about your business that is unique from all the other businesses that are selling the same product or service. If you can’t think of anything, then it’s a sure sign that you need to spend more time in the planning phase. So, clearly define what makes your business special and you will have no problem convincing others.
Consult with your tax professional because a home business has a lot of advantages: one of them is the tax write off. The mortgage or the lease you pay on the portion of your home you exclusively use for your home business is tax deductible as an expense. Rearrange your home so it clearly shows which area is occupied by your business.
Keep your equipment up to date. If you buy equipment that you obviously need for your business, such as office supplies or a computer, you can deduct your expenses from your taxes. To avoid getting in trouble, do not write off expenses that might fit into what you bought for your home rather than your business.
As the beginning of this article stated, having a home based business does have a lot of great benefits, especially being your own boss and having the freedom you crave. However, it does take an initial investment of time and knowledge to make your business work for you. Apply the tips from the article above for future success in your home business.
