Starting an online or eCommerce business from home can be a great way to turn your passion into a career. It allows you to be your own boss, work flexible hours, and save on overhead costs. However, as your business grows, it can become challenging to manage everything from your home. We'll discuss the signs that your small business has outgrown your home and explore ways to manage the transition. Keep reading to learn how to take your eCommerce business to the next level and make the most out of your growing success!
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Lack of Physical Space: As your eCommerce business grows, so does the amount of inventory and equipment you need to store. If you find yourself constantly running out of space in your home, it may be time to consider moving to a commercial space.
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Difficulty Managing Inventory: As your inventory grows, it can become increasingly difficult to keep track of everything. If you find yourself constantly struggling to manage your inventory, getting to the post office on time, scheduling UPS or FedEx pickups, etc., it may be time to consider moving to a larger space where you can better organize and store your products.
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Increased Noise and Distractions: Running a business from home can be challenging, especially if you have a family or roommates. If you find that the noise and distractions are becoming overwhelming, it may be time to consider moving to a separate commercial space where you can focus on your work.
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Emotional Stress: Starting and running a business can be stressful, and running one from your home can add to that stress. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, it may be time to consider moving to a separate commercial space where you can separate your work and personal life.
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Lack of Professional Image: Having a dedicated commercial space where you can meet clients and have meetings with your team can provide a more professional image for your business. This can be important when it comes to building relationships with customers and suppliers, especially as you scale up, and can also help to attract new business.
The next step is deciding what kind of space you need, whether that be a coworking space, warehouse, private office or a storefront! For eCommerce business handling physical products, one solution that may be worth considering is co-warehousing. Co-warehousing is a cost-effective option for eCommerce businesses that need more space and a professional environment but don't want to commit to a long-term lease. With co-warehousing, you get a private warehouse space within a larger facility with shared access to loading docks, daily courier pickups and drop-offs, Wi-Fi/utilities included, stocked kitchen and more. Not only are you saving time and money, but it gives you the flexibility to scale at the speed of your business!
As your eCommerce business grows, be aware of the signs that it may have outgrown your home. While working from home is a great way to get started, as your business expands you need a space that can grow with you!