If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the feed or subscribe to us on Twitter. Thanks for visiting!

Running a home based business is not much different than running an out of the home business. In most businesses you are dealing with people and need them as customers in order to stay in business. The way that a potential customer perceives your business can be a big deal in their determining whether or not to do business with you.

In order to be a successful business there are certain requirements in order to appear professional. The more professional that your business appears, the more confident potential customers will be. I have compiled a list of the top ten things that every business should have.

1)A customized domain name. Registering a domain name is super easy and takes only a few minutes. I recommend GoDaddy, as they are one of the largest registrars out there. If you already have a business name, then check to see if that is available first.

2)A Website. A person’s first stop in learning about a business these days is the internet. If your company does not have a web presence, most consumers will probably just write you off. Nowadays it is easier than ever to have a website. Wordpress has revolutionized websites and it isn’t just for blogs. You can create a very simple website even when you have no knowledge of html.

3)Business Cards. VistaPrint offers very inexpensive, customizable business cards. I have even printed up some good ones on my home computer using business card stock from an office supply store.

4)Email that matches your domain. Having a professional email address can instill confidence that your company is legitimate. People can be turned off by an email address from a free email provider such as Hotmail or Yahoo.

5)A Logo. Every successful company has a logo and many can be identified by the logo alone. If you do not have graphic design experience GotLogos.com offers a very low cost design service.

6)Toll free phone number. Many people do prefer being able to contact a business by using the phone. You can get a toll free number that forwards calls to your home phone or cell phone. You can find a comprehensive list of toll free providers here.

7)Business Bank Account. For accounting purposes and tax purposes it is best to keep your business credits and debits separate from your household finances. In order to get a true business account at most banks you will need to have a DBA (doing business as) from your county.

8)Personalized Thank You Cards. Even in this day and age of email, there is nothing quite like receiving something in the mail. When a business owner takes the time to send out a personalized thank you card I am much more likely to do business with them again. Postcards can make a great thank you card and are a bit cheaper to mail.

9)Promotional items. Having pens or little notebooks with your business contact information on them is a great way to gain customers. Many times when I have been out running errands someone will ask to borrow a pen. This is a great opportunity to hand them one with your information and tell them to keep it. Chances are they will check out your website and may become a customer. These also make great thank you gifts to existing customers. Calendars and sticky notes are also great ideas.

10)Sign for your car. Most people spend many hours driving around in their car. Put your car to work for you with a magnet, bumper sticker or sign advertising your business and contact information. A local printing company will probably be able to help you with this item. I have even seen cars that have been completely “wrapped” with a company’s logo and information.

11)Flyers. This is something that you can easily print at home and then post on community bulletin boards around your town. Make sure they are clear and to the point as most people only take a few moments to look at these.

12)Mission Statement. This is an opportunity to share with potential customers the goals and values of your company. It doesn’t have to be long and could be as short as one sentence. It will help your customers see what your company stands for.

13)Business Plan. Having a clear set of goals written down can help your company maintain focus and stay on track to become successful. Most companies do not share their business plans with customers, but this is a must have if you ever seek out financing with a bank or investor.

What are some items that you consider home business must have? What has been the best item for your business? Having all of these items in place will put you on the road to success.

Warmly,
Mia