The cost of leasing office space is always on the rise and for a small business, renting office space is a major expense they could do without. Of course, it is nice to have a plush office in Sydney CBD, but with the level of digital tech we have, face-to-face meetings are no longer necessary and more and more small business owners are creating home offices to save money.
Internet connection
We recommend talking to local ISPs about wireless routers and hi-speed, unlimited data, which means you are connected wherever you are in the home (or garden). Wearing a headset and you can work while doing the housework, which is a game-changer. The provider would have numerous packages and ideally, you want unlimited data with a decent bandwidth, which allows you to enjoy real-time video calls.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
As a business owner, you obviously need to make hundreds of calls a day and rather than using cell networks, use a platform like Zoom or Skype for Business. No more huge phone bills; your staff can also use VoIP if they don’t already.
IT hardware
A high-spec desktop PC or laptop is a must; order an uninterupted power supply from a leading Australian supplier and power outages won’t put you offline.
Other hardware you need;
- Scanner/copier
- Printer
- Router
If you are tech-savvy, all your connections can be wireless and we recommend creating a secure cloud network, which allows real-time access from any geographical location.
Office furniture
Things to acquire;
- Office desk & chair (desk should be large enough for all your IT hardware. An ergonomic chair is preferred.
- Wall planner – Even though we live in a digital world, you can’t be a wall planner and a marker pen. Note all events, meetings, deadlines etc and you won’t overlook anything.
Mobile connectivity
What is the best way to have a web connection wherever you go? Get an unlimited data SIM for your smartphone and you can hotspot your laptop and get to work. You could get away with just that package, which can also be used in your home office.
Lighting
A desk lamp is ideal for task lighting, with a central ceiling light and a dimmer switch for fine-tuning. There are no office hours when you work from home and the middle of the night offers a peaceful ambience. You might want to consider having your home professionally cleaned every month.
Décor
How about a few wall prints? There must be a couple of positive quotes that inspire you; search online for fine-quality wall prints and bring some colour and depth to your new work environment. Unless you plan on having face-to-face meetings, your office can be designed to suit you; choose soothing colours and when thinking décor, think comfort.
The money you will save with your home office can be invested in digital marketing, which will boost sales and lead to sustainable growth. Click here for assistance in setting up a small business in Australia.