Many people are under the misconception that a home-based business is an Internet based business of some sort.  This really couldn’t be farther from the truth.  Many businesses, that have absolutely nothing to do with the Internet are and can be successfully operated and managed without the need for a commercial office, warehouse or storefront.

Facility space and the associated expenses of utilities, insurance, leasehold improvements, security, furniture and fixtures to mention only a few, can be a very expensive outlay.  This expense can be a major contributor to the decision of whether or not an individual should start a small business.  If however, the business is such that it can be operated from a home, the start-up and operating expenses can be reduced dramatically and thus could be a major contributing factor in the overall success or failure of the proposed enterprise.

The communications revolution that has occurred over the last 20 years has made the virtual business location easily achievable.  By having separate telephone numbers for business and personal use, an individual can structure their business so that it operates during normal business hours, even if the business is being operating from their home.  Business messages can be conveniently received on the business telephone lines through the use of personal answering machines or through a message retention service supplied by the individual’s telephone carrier. 

The advent of private companies that supply post office boxes means that the small business entrepreneur’s home based business can operate without the need to give out any personal address information, providing increased security and comfort to those living at home.  These private company addresses can even be used to receive and ship parcels and/or courier packages.

Although many jurisdictions do not “officially” allow businesses to operate out of a residential property, the virtual office is usually ignored by enforcement agencies.  Providing the home based business operator does not post any signs, create noise or have an abundance of visitors that create parking or traffic problems, the business owner should not experience any zoning violation fines.

Businesses that operate from an individual’s residence are growing in numbers and it is an operating mode that should be considered by anyone contemplating starting a business.