5 Ways To Professionalize Your Home-Based Business

The internet has drastically changed business as we know it. Instead of needing a storefront to be in business, we are now able to own and run one from our homes and online! I think one of the challenges we face in running an online business, especially one based out of the house, is to keep it looking professional. There are a number of ways to make your company look professional that are also low in cost!

Website

Your website is often the first thing your clients or customers will see before they decide to work with you. First impressions do matter, especially online. If your website doesn’t grab their attention or meet their expectations, they may take their business elsewhere. Companies like Kajabi, Wix, and Shopify, make it possible to create an excellent website with very little work. They give you access to a number of themes that can be changed to meet the needs of your customers. If you can’t afford the support of a professional, this type of platform will be affordable!

Marketing Materials

Often times small businesses choose to make their own leaflets, flyers, business cards, and other marketing materials. Sometimes this will result in a poor quality product. Believe me, I get it, I’m not a graphic designer either!

Rather than going down the DIY path, take a moment to look on websites like Fiverr, UpWork, or 99Designs which may be able to provide professional quality and won’t be as costly as a larger company.

If free is more your speed, platforms like Canva or PicMonkey can be extremely helpful. You will be restricted to a limited number of options when it comes to the themes, layouts, or customization. Once your designs are ready you can often use your local office supply store for printing.

One of my favorite resources for designing my marketing materials such as business cards and postcards is Vista Print. The site allows for a great deal of customization and is very cost-effective. Keep an eye out for their sales which happens often!

Packaging

This truly only applies if you are selling physical products. Rather than using blank boxes, giving your packaging a little extra flair will make your business appear more professional. Items such as rubber craft stamps can be used to create unique designs to apply to your packaging without much effort. This works for all sorts of packaging and is an excellent way to set yourself apart from the crowd.

You may also be able to find great options on Amazon or ULine. I’ve found unique packaging materials, stickers, and thank you notes to include when I’m mailing out beauty products!

Communication

Today, consumers have a high expectation of companies when it comes to communication. We are in a digital age where things are instant and communication is constant in the forms of emails, social media, text, and messengers. People want to know when their products are on the way, receive reminders for any appointments made, and have the ability to get in contact when they need help.

Thankfully there are a number of live chat services out there to help with this. Even if you’re not online very often, tools like this can be used to ensure that your users have plenty of ways to get in touch. No one wants to call to ask a simple question, and this is something you need to keep in mind when you’re considering your communication with customers. Good customer service and communication always keep loyal customers returning to you!

Business Information

If you are interested in keeping your whereabouts private, this requires a little extra work. It is actually fairly easy for people to find the address you’ve used for your business, and this makes it crucial that it isn’t somewhere residential. I highly recommend considering getting either a Post Office Box or a box at a local UPS Store.

The same can be said for phone numbers. Call forwarding companies can also help a lot with this. They give you the opportunity to set up a virtual address and phone number, without having to invest in expensive business properties. You will be able to handle calls using your normal cell phone, without having to use two sim cards or having a second phone.

It is absolutely possible to keep your home-based or small business looking professional without a huge investment. You, your business, and your customers will all benefit from taking these extra steps. It results in a very professional business appearance that you are proud to promote and added privacy for you and your family!