Archive for the ‘Home Business’ Category

A separate phone number is essential for any home business, but now thanks to Google (again) you no longer have to pay your phone company a fee for a separate line. Google Voice is one of the latest applications the internet behemoth has in beta right now, and it is a fantastic tool for the home business owner.

When you sign up for Google voice (you can request an invitation here) you will be asked to choose from a number of different phone numbers available in your area.

Read the rest of this entry »

One of the downsides of operating a business from home can be the sense of isolation you may feel (especially if you are used to a bustling office environment). This loneliness can become overwhelming if left unchecked, leading the home business operator to abandon their venture altogether. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

First, make sure you establish a work routine, just like you used to have out in the “real” world. Eat your lunch away from your computer, or better still, arrange to meet an acquaintance for lunch once or twice a week. Getting out just for an hour can make all the difference and you will still have plenty of time to attend to your work.

Read the rest of this entry »

More and more companies are now outsourcing their customer service operations. This allows opportunities for those who want to enjoy the freedom of working from home but, it can be difficult to figure out which are the genuine opportunities. There are however a few companies that have proven track records as legitimate sources of home income for call center operators.

Read the rest of this entry »

Getting paid can be one of the hardest things for home based business to achieve. Having a good invoicing system in place can be key. Here are a few tips for creating invoices that should help increase your monthly bottom line.

The word “Invoice” should be the first thing the client sees. Sounds very obvious but many company’s invoices do not stand out as a bill, so they get lost in piles of paperwork on somebody’s desk, forgotten and most importantly, unpaid

Do not forget to date the invoice. Payment terms you may want to state will be based upon this, so it is crucial this is included to avoid misunderstandings further down the line.

Read the rest of this entry »

If your home based business involves selling a product online you may very well want to add the capability to accept credit card payments so that you can sell your product(s) directly from your website.

By offering an instant purchase option you will be able to take advantage of the customer that any retail business loves the most – the impulse buyer.

But it is the unfortunate experience of many home based business owners that their local bank is not helpful when it comes to setting up a merchant account (even if you have been a loyal and reliable customer for years).

Read the rest of this entry »