Home businesses have never been more popular.
Here's the problem…
When working from home it can be difficult to appear professional working from your spare bedroom or kitchen table.
Customers and clients make snap judgements based on what they see.
Putting your home address on business cards, invoices and official documents just won't cut it anymore.
Luckily…
It doesn't have to cost you thousands in rent and office furniture to appear more professional.
These inexpensive tips and tricks can change how others perceive your home-based business overnight.
Let's take a look.
What you'll learn:
- Why Image Is Important for Home Businesses
- Why Virtual Business Addresses are So Powerful
- Other Inexpensive Tools that Add Instant Credibility
- Why You Need to Care About Professional Credibility
Image is important for home businesses
Appearances matter.
Sure your home business may offer incredible value. That won't matter if potential customers don't take you seriously before you even start talking.
When people look up a business, they see an address. If it's a residential street address many questions will arise. Is this business legitimate?
Will they be around long term? Is this a "mom" operation?
67% of Americans now work out of their homes. There's nothing wrong with that but statistically people feel more comfortable trusting a local brick-and-mortar business.
Let's be clear on a few things:
A home business can operate professionally. It can also provide plenty of value and turn into a household name.
Where you conduct business doesn't matter to customers. How your business portrays itself to the world does.
Virtual business addresses can help you instantly
Need to know the easiest way to professionalize your home business?
Sign up for a virtual business address service.
A virtual business address will give you a real street address that can be listed on your website, business cards, marketing materials and official paperwork.
Your home address can remain hidden while you operate your business out of a legitimate business district.
Services like ipostal1.com/virtual-business-address allow users to list a business address for anywhere from $5 to $30 per month depending on the features offered.
Mail is professionally handled at the virtual address then scanned and forwarded to your desired electronic destination.
Some virtual addresses even allow you to meet with clients at their office space.
Another perk is getting a PO box style address that does not reveal your home location.
This is a game changer.
Virtual business addresses will typically include:
- A real street address with suite number in an office building
- Mail scanning & forwarding service
- Access to scanned mail through an app or website
- Access to use that street address for business operations
Privacy, professionalism and credibility are just a few benefits of using a virtual business address.
Never under estimate how powerful the right street address can be to a businesses credibility.
Other inexpensive tools that add instant credibility
Virtual Business Addresses aren't the only thing you can use. Below are some other inexpensive tips that can add instant credibility to any home business.
Professional phone service
Using your personal cell phone to take business calls is never ideal.
Kids, dogs, traffic and other background noises send a message of unprofessionalism to potential customers.
A professional business phone number with voicemail can be set up in most areas for $5 to $15 per month.
There are even virtual receptionist services that can receive calls and forward them to your cell phone.
Professional email account
"Oh please… Does using a @gmail.com email address really matter?"
Of course it does.
When did it become acceptable to use free email accounts on professional documents? Guess what professionals use…professional email addresses.
Setup takes roughly an hour and costs about $10 to $15 per year. Your website and online presence will thank you.
Professional website
Did you know that 81% of consumers won't do business with a brand until they trust it? Having a professional website is vital these days.
Using a professional website builder you can have a beautiful website up in a matter of hours for less than $100 per year.
Digital business cards
Stop tearing your real business cards in half.
Digital business cards can be shared instantly through text, email or even QR code. Easily updated and way more convenient.
There are tons of free options out there for digital business cards.
Credibility doesn't cost much these days
Here's a fun fact most home businesses don't know…
Trust is built through consistency. Having a professional address but a non-professional website will cause people to hesitate.
Each point of contact with your business must present a professional and unified image.
Start with these MUST HAVES:
- Virtual Business Address
- Professional Email
- Simple Website
- Branding
Price them out, pick providers and watch the leads come rolling in.
Don't forget about branding and being consistent across your phone system, website and marketing materials.
As long as each point of contact with your business is consistent you're going to build a rock solid reputation.
One that will bring in clients while others are scrolling past you on Google.
The truth is these upgrades don't cost much. Many of the options listed above won't cost you more than dining out for lunch.
Imagine getting more customers because your business looks professional.
Getting started today
Transitioning your business from residential to professional is easy and doesn't have to happen overnight.
Research virtual business addresses that serve your area. Pick a nice office location that fits your businesses brand.
Once you sign up, update any business registration documents and marketing materials with your new address.
Put a professional ring on your phone and email too. These are simple steps anyone can do to start appearing more professional tomorrow.
Home based businesses account for 50% of all businesses in the United States. If you want to stand out from the crowd you have to look the part.
Businesses that take steps to appear professional will always win more clients.
Even if your competitors offer similar products or services at a cheaper price, people will remember who seemed more professional.
Conclusion
Home businesses can and should look professional. Using a virtual business address service is the foundation.
With virtual addresses you get a professional street address, mail handling services and privacy all at minimal cost.
Add to that professional phone service, branded email addresses and a simple website… anyone can run a professional home business.
Here are your takeaways:
- How your business is perceived by others directly influences sales
- Virtual Business Addresses allow home businesses to appear professional without office overhead
- Every point of contact with your business should uphold your brand image
- 99% of these tips cost less than $50 per month
Customers are everywhere. Once you appear professional your opportunities will become endless.