If you sell online services for example such as article writing, design or video editing, often all you will need is a computer and the right software. If you buy and sell items it can be a little trickier, as you have to consider storing your products and what the best way is to get them to your customer. It’s certainly not impossible to run a business from home where you sell products but there are some things to bear in mind. Packaging The packaging you will need will depend on what it is you’re selling. More fragile items will require bubble wrap and perhaps boxes which are added costs you will need to factor in. In some cases, it could be worth altering your product or only selling certain products due to the packaging considerations. For example, if you make your own framed prints, use a frame with perspex instead of glass to avoid it breaking during shipping. If you sell homewares, stick to things that are lighter in weight or less fragile. If you’re sending heavy or large items or shipping things in bulk, then you may require proper logistics equipment such as stillages and roll pallets. If you dont have the space at home for storing and packaging items, you could always consider outsourcing this area of your business. Using The Postal Service For some items, sending via the post is your best bet. It’s less expensive than other methods and you don’t have to go to the post office to send them- for a fee you can arrange a weekly collection of your parcels that will be sent out. You can pay a little more for things like recorded or signed for delivery so you can give these options to your customers. Just be aware that some items can’t be sent through the post and there are restrictions for other countries- this includes things like aerosols, nail polish and batteries. So you need to do your research and make sure you know what you can and can’t send, you may need to tailor what you sell or find another shipping method. Delivery Company For heavier items, those that can’t be sent through the post, a courier would be the way to go. Lots of companies these days have optional extras and allow things like customers to be able to track their parcel in real time on a map, send a text message to reschedule delivery on the day and give up to date information about when the item will be delivered. These are all very convenient and prevents people having to wait in all day not knowing when it’s likely to turn up. Delivery companies are not all alike, do your research and find one with a good reputation. The last thing you want is for your business to be let down as delivery was slow, cancelled or the item turned up broken due to lack of care. ]]>
Selling Products In Your Home Based Business? Here's What You Need to Know
