Working from home has grown to become the new normal, with the number of fully online businesses steadily increasing. Experts have predicted that by the year 2025, 22% of Americans will be working entirely remotely.
If your small business is completely virtual, here are some things you can do in order to keep your business running smoothly.
1. Have a good home office set up
Having a dedicated workspace will help you to feel more organized and be more productive. Invest in a reliable computer and any other high-quality tech you may need to run your business. If you plan to do video calls, make sure that you have a good webcam and a high quality mic to boost your professionalism within calls. You’ll also need a high-speed internet connection if you want to be able to work efficiently and securely.
2. Utilize online banking
You need a service that will allow you to track your finances, create invoices, pay vendors/employees, etc. With an online business bank account, you’re able to access your finances from anywhere you have access to your computer or mobile device. Grasshopper’s Innovator Business Checking also allows you to seamlessly integrate with accounting software such as QuickBooks, which can automate accounting processes.
3. Create a process for hiring and onboarding remote employees.
Since you won’t be in-person with job candidates or new workers, you’ll have to create recruiting, hiring and onboarding processes that ensure a secure and seamless transition onto your team. Conducting interviews and onboarding calls on Zoom can make for a more personal experience that allows your workers to really feel like part of the team.
4. Make sure your team is all on the same page.
When working remotely, communication is key. Since you won’t be in an office with your workers, it’s important to have reliable email, chat, video conferencing, and other communication software that can host important conversations. Software like Slack or Zoom can be helpful tools for team members to stay connected when working virtually.
You may also want to invest in a quality project management/collaboration software that can help to organize important files and make sure everyone is properly aware of their tasks. This kind of organization can help to keep everyone on the same page and get work done more efficiently.
5. Focus on building a positive work culture
Having a positive company culture is still possible when you have a fully remote team. Make sure you’re creating a safe space that allows your team room for mistakes and questions. Connect with your employees both as a team and individually to check in and get feedback. When your team feels supported and valued within your business, more effective work can get done.
6. Set up a well-designed website
Your website can determine how the public views your business. Make sure your website is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. Using cool visuals and catchy names can help to capture the attention of potential customers and generate more business.
Other than just looking good, your website needs to function well. Half of mobile site visitors will leave a website if it takes longer than three seconds to load. Make sure each of your webpages are able to load efficiently so that you don’t lose out on potential business.
7. Stay on top of your cybersecurity
Small businesses are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks because they fall into a hacking “sweet spot:” they are large enough to provide valuable information but often lack the security of larger organizations. To keep your business data safe, you should be using a reputable virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your web traffic, as well as an antivirus program for all work-related devices. Additionally, you should make sure you are keeping your business finances safe by choosing a business bank account that has effective security measures in place.
8. Talk to other virtual business owners to get their insights.
There are many virtual small business owners who are in the same boat as you. Search for different networking opportunities in your area that can help you to get connected. Social media platforms like LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) can also be a great resource for communicating with other virtual business owners.
Being able to connect with like-minded business owners in similar situations to your own can be a great way to share ideas and get relevant advice from people with firsthand experience. Building up your relationships with other small business owners can be a great way to build community and can even open up opportunities to further your business.
By Michaela Lenahan in Small Business
