Being able to work at home appeals to a lot of people, but there are a few things you should consider before deciding to start a home-based business. Depending on the amount of space you require, and on the nature of your business, operating from your home may be a great option. Consider the many factors involved to be sure that working from home is your best choice.
Advantages
- Cheaper than renting and you can deduct business taxes for the use of your home (for example: property tax, utilities, repairs and maintenance, home insurance, rent or an interest portion of your mortgage)
- No commuting
- Set your own hours of work
- More comfortable working environment
- You can put as much time as you want into the business
Disadvantages
- Not a lot of room for expansion of the business
- Isolation from business associates
- May not be able to accommodate special equipment or extra staff
- Legal and health restrictions, if your business is in an apartment or house
- Interruptions from family and friends, and difficulties setting boundaries
- Having to motivate yourself, even when the business is not performing well
Do your research to determine what is right for you
Before launching your home-based business, consider these important points:
- Pick a home business idea that you can finance, that interests you, and where there is a need in your area
- Make sure you designate, for your business, a specific area of your house or apartment that is away from your main living space
- Try not to get distracted by things that may take you away from your work and compromise your productivity
- Check provincial and federal regulations for any health, safety and taxation regulations before you start
- Do not compromise your professionalism because you are in a less formal environment
- Make sure you are available to your clients by keeping a consistent schedule or using other approaches to get back to them quickly
- Be careful of home-based opportunities that may be fraudulent
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