Home or rented office?

[Premier Audio Visual]

So I sell and install professional audio visual equipment. Does it look really unprofessional to be working from home? Would it be worth the expense to invest in office space, or do I go for a virtual office?

[kathiemt]

Originally Posted by Premier Audio Visual

So I sell and install professional audio visual equipment. Does it look really unprofessional to be working from home? Would it be worth the expense to invest in office space, or do I go for a virtual office?

That depends. Will clients ever be coming to see you? If not, then no, it doesn't matter. I've been working from home for almost 15 years. Most people don't even realise that. Some get a surprise when they find out.

[Premier Audio Visual]

I usually meet with clients on the site that they want the equipment to be installed, so I guess that means that I should continue working from home. I am part of a business growth program, and they offer a boardroom hire at $15 per hour, so I could make use of that on other occasions.
I just think that, particularly with online advertising, for example google maps, it looks more professional to not have a residential address.
Anyway, I will ponder on that one for a while!
Ta.

[kathiemt]

I don't give my address out Daniel in any of my materials or advertising. I use a PO Box and have in all the years I've been in business. No-one has ever questioned that. I don't like advertising I have a lot of computer equipment in my home.

[MissieK]

I'm the same as Kathie - I work from home & have a PO Box. I don't have my home address on any of my marketing materials or my site.

My parents recently moved out of home & in to an office (hang on, that was about 2 years ago now!) - the main reason for them was they had staff & home was getting way too crowded.

Melissa

[KarenC]

I think having both a postal address and delivery address is good.
You could have the post office address listed on the web as well - and provide the delivery only to people who require it.
I have done this successfully for over 20 years.

I know of one person who also adds "Suite1" to their home address (it's a single home) in order to look like a business delivery address.

My couriers find it easy to park in our street for deliveries and pickups which works well for us.

And good security / alarm would be essential - especially as you would have more equipment than most going through your home delivery and insurance would require it.

[Premier Audio Visual]

Thanks for all of the feedback! Getting a po box is a great idea, and I am now removing my address from any advertisements.
I will stick to working from home and save some valuable dollars for now.
Cheers.

[designmill]

Hi Daniel,

I'm at the same stage in business start-up as you it seems, and have been pondering that problem also.

I think yes, it can look unprofessional, as well as unsafe to have your residential address listed.

My take is, don't get office space you don't need. Imagine that money you could be directing into marketing or training if you work out of home. (If you have the space at home that is.)

I am yet to get organised and take a trip to the local Post Office. Tip on that, you don't need to spend extra to get a larger box, any over-sized parcels they're going to keep behind the counter for you anyway.

Now I feel lazy that I haven't sorted mine out. I pinkie swear it will happen this week.

Laura Patmore
Graphic Designer

Design Mill
w. www.designmill.com.au
e. laura@designmill.com.au

[Nick Harriss, icommo]

Originally Posted by Premier Audio Visual

So I sell and install professional audio visual equipment. Does it look really unprofessional to be working from home? Would it be worth the expense to invest in office space, or do I go for a virtual office?

We are a unified messaging services provider and we definitely recommend to soloists that they avoid pouring their dollars into rented office space. We think money is better invested in marketing and building a professional presence: secure a PO Box, create a good website and consider purchasing a phone number which can receive phone and fax messages and deliver them to your email. It is possible to create a professional presence without setting up in an office.

Nick Harriss

[Julie MT]

Hi Nick,

I wonder if you could elaborate on the fax/phone call re-direction to email service?

Sounds interesting.

Thanks so much.