Question: My wife has a tutoring business that’s doing quite well now, but it is a virtual business that takes up a little corner of the kids’ playroom.  We’d like turn it into a professional virtual company, but we’re not sure where to start. 

Answer: Congratulations!  Up to 20% of start-up small businesses are home-based, so you’re well within the mainstream.  Since you didn’t tell us much about the legal status of the business, we recommend that you consult a qualified accountant or tax attorney as soon as possible.  These professionals can help you select a business format that is appropriate for you to minimize legal and tax liabilities. 

Once your legal affairs are in order, consider the public face of the business.  How do your customers interact with the company?  Are you advertising online?  Do they call your home telephone?  These are critical issues to consider. 

We can help in a variety of ways.  Many start-up home businesses use their family telephone to conduct business.  This is a mistake; customers expect to be treated with professionalism, whether your business is virtual or not. 

The solution is to take advantage of virtual office services, such as professional telephone reception services.  If you are not ready for the added expense and support costs associated with an extra one or two telephone lines, we can even provide your business with a private telephone number provided to use as your own. 

What would it mean for your business if every call was answered quickly, professionally, and courteously every time, no matter what time of day or night they arrive?  What if you could do it without adding the expense of employees, making it possible for you to continue to enjoy your home-based business?  Because we rely on advanced technology, our staff can act as a seamless part of your virtual business, but provide your customers with the convenience and reliability of a brick-and-mortar storefront. 

Many home-based business owners enjoy the freedom self-employment offers.  Some of our clients juggle their home businesses with taking care of their growing families.  For them, some of our other services are essential.  Our professional agents can take every call while our clients are away from their home offices.  We deliver their messages quickly and efficiently, so they are ready to respond to customers as soon as they are ready.  We offer message delivery by email, fax, and even through text messages sent to pagers, cellular phones, and other wireless devices. 

Running a successful business requires managing your image and making good decisions.  We can help you do both; please contact us today for more information. 

Learn more about telephone answering services and discover how the might be able to help you.