Are you thinking about working from home? Whether you're starting a new venture, freelancing, or running a small business, having the right equipment and technology is essential for staying productive, efficient, and professional. In this blog, I provide a comprehensive guide to ensure you’re well-equipped to thrive in your home-based business (and there are no affiliate links, just good old recommendations).
Reliable High-Speed Internet
This, for me, is the most important aspect of working from home; however, depending on your business, this might not be so important. The internet connection is the backbone of my home business. A slow or unreliable connection can lead to frustrating delays, dropped video calls, and missed opportunities. Most of the software and apps I use are also online, and of course, when the kids are at home during school holidays, they seem to consume bandwidth like they eat crisps.
Recommendations:
Speed: Aim for at least 25-100 Mbps download speeds for smooth video conferencing and file transfers.
Provider: Research the best ISPs in your area. Consider fibre-optic options if available, as they generally offer faster and more stable connections.
Backup: Consider having a mobile hotspot as a backup in case your primary internet goes down. I have been known to tether my laptop to my phone on a few occasions. It works when desperate, but it's a good idea to understand how to connect before the need arises.
A High-Quality Laptop or Desktop
This seems obvious, but I will talk about it briefly. For most of us, our computer is our primary tool, so it's important to invest in a machine that meets your business needs. Whether you opt for a Windows PC or Apple is entirely down to personal preference as is the operating system. I go for as fast a processor as I can afford at the time. Screen size is not really that important as I use a second monitor as my main screen (see below for more info) - my current laptop is 15 inches.
The key here is to consider what you'll be using it for and what your budget is, and be ready to invest some time researching your options. If you're thinking about upgrading, this YouTube video is worth watching - it helps cut through the overwhelm of buying a new laptop.
External Monitor(s)
Let's be honest: spending all day on a small laptop screen is not fun nor ergonomically sound. The solution? Get an external monitor to use as your primary display - instant JOY!
Your budget will determine the size and resolution. Aim for at least 24 inches. Mine is a HP monitor and I usually start by browsing on Amazon, then compare prices on PC World and Argos to see if I can get a better deal.
USB Data Hub
This is also an essential piece of kit. In recent years, I've noticed a trend: laptops are being made with fewer USB ports, while our need for tech has increased. As a result, there often aren’t enough ports available on the laptop for all your devices. For example, my laptop has two USB ports and one HDMI connection, but I have four devices that require a USB connection: a keyboard, mouse, webcam, and phone charger.
The solution? A 4 port USB docking station or hub. This is mine so that you have an idea of what I'm talking about and it leaves me with me a spare slot for an external USB drive etc. You can have a variety of ports including HDMI, VGA and Ethernet. Just make sure you buy one that's compatible wit your system.
Webcam and Microphone
So this is again a bit like buying a laptop and will depend entirely on your budget and use. And of course, if you are using a laptop only and no external monitor then you probably won't even need a webcam or mic as you can use the inbuilt ones.
Options:
Webcam: Look for a webcam with at least 1080p resolution for clear video. Popular options include the Logitech C920 or C922.
Microphone: If you are thinking about producing video or you Zoom a lot, then consider a posh USB microphone. These are expensive, and in my case, I use a standard pair of headphones with an inbuilt microphone. Again, think about what you are going to be using the mic for.
Lighting: Consider investing in a ring light or softbox lighting if the room is dark. These are cheap and can be purchased from Amazon and can make a huge difference if you're filming.
Cloud Storage and Backup Solutions
This is really important—how many of you store all your work solely on your computer? What would you do if a virus hits and suddenly you lose access to everything?
While it’s okay to keep your work on your computer’s hard drive, it’s essential to back up your files. One of the easiest ways to do this is by using a cloud backup service. I'm not recommending any specific service here since factors like GDPR compliance and cost need to be considered. Personally, I use Office 365 for business, which automatically syncs my files.
Cloud storage is also particularly useful for large files and videos, helping save space on your PC’s hard drive.
Cybersecurity Tools
Sticking with the serious stuff, let's talk about the need to protect your business from cyber threats, which is more important than ever, especially when working from home.
Essential Tools:
VPN: A Virtual Private Network like NordVPN or ExpressVPN can secure your internet connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi - in fact only ever use public wifi with a VPN!
Antivirus Software: Invest in reliable antivirus software such as Norton or McAfee to protect against malware and viruses.
Password Manager: Tools like LastPass or 1Password can help you create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. These are also the only way to share passwords with potential collaborators as the data is encrypted.
Printer and Scanner
Despite the digital nature of most home businesses, there are times when you need to print, scan, or fax documents. There are some pretty cheap printers out there now. Just head to the PC World, Argos or Amazon. Priority for me, is wireless connectivity; this ensures your printer supports wireless printing from multiple devices.
I actually do quite a bit of printing and found it much cheaper to use the HP ink subscription service. I pay £3.99 per month and I can print up to 50 pages. The best bit is that ink is automatically sent to me when I'm running low. No more dashing out to the shop and paying the equivalent to a mortgage for colour and black cartridges.
Ergonomic Office Furniture
Working from home means spending long hours at your desk, so comfort and ergonomics are key.
Essentials:
Chair: Invest in an ergonomic chair that provides proper support to reduce the risk of back pain. Ikea do some great chairs.
Desk: A sturdy desk with enough surface area for your work materials. Consider a standing desk to switch between sitting and standing throughout the day.
Monitor Stand: Ensure your monitor is at eye level to prevent neck strain. Mine stand is quite long so it stretches across my desk and acts as a shelf so that I can store loads of extra crap that I don't really need but looks nice!
Email Management
You may have already set this up, but if not, you'll need to decide between using a free email service, like Gmail, or opting for a paid business email that includes your company's domain name. I highly recommend the latter, as it enhances credibility, builds trust, and strengthens your brand image. While Gmail and Office 365 are popular choices, you can also get email services through providers like GoDaddy, which also offers website hosting. I use GoDaddy for my email and website hosting.
This can be a little complex but this article from HubSpot breaks it down.
Project Management and Collaboration Tools
You may not be collaborating yet, but many project and task management tools offer this capability. It's worth staying ahead by considering the potential for collaboration when making your choice. I have written a blog about collaboration tools for your small business and you can read it here.
There are a wealth of online project management tools out there that can assist you in managing tasks. YouTube is a great place for reviews and learning the basics. There are lots of these apps, and the two below have free starter options (I use both on a daily basis).
Trello: a task and project management platforms that organises tasks into boards, cards and lists. Its simple interface makes it easy to keep track of what needs doing, who's doing it and when it'll be done by.
Asana: similar to Trello but a different looking interface and works better for larger teams. A useful feature is the ability to create workflows that automate recurring tasks.
Others include Monday.com, Clickup and Airtable.
Website and Online Presence
A strong online presence is essential for reaching customers and establishing credibility. Many small business start with a social media presence only and depending on your business might sell directly through sites like Etsy and Amazon. Site's like Later and Shorby provide easy to use, professional link pages for social media so that you can direct traffic negating the need for a website.
If you're considering having a website, the next step is to decide whether to build it yourself or hire a web designer. Your budget, skills, and available time will play a key role in this choice. There are several website-building platforms available today, with popular options including WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace. Personally, I use Wix, but I also manage client sites on Squarespace, which I find equally intuitive and user-friendly.
I could go on and on but let's not! These are the essentials, and while you'll need to invest in the equipment and many of the software options mentioned, your business is absolutely worth it.
Running a business from home can be incredibly rewarding, but it requires the right tools and equipment to be successful. By investing in quality tech and setting up a comfortable, efficient workspace, you can maximise productivity and maintain a professional edge, no matter where you’re working from. As you grow and evolve, continue to reassess your needs, and upgrade your tools accordingly to stay ahead in the game.
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