So you’ve started a home-based business. You know what you need to do and how to do it. But there are some essential things you will soon discover are just as vital as drive and planning.

A Separate Place for Work

An absolutely essential tool for any home business is somewhere safe, separate, and comfortable to work. Your kitchen table isn’t designed for sitting for 8 hours per day, with an arched back at a small laptop. This will cause so many issues that they can’t be listed here. Additionally, a living room office will likely cause distractions as you sit down for a coffee break in front of the TV. If possible, use a completely separate room for any business work you need.

A Home-Based Business Needs a Computer

Further to an adequate office, you also need a good computer. Over time, you might find your ten-year-old laptop or notebook doesn’t quite cut it. Getting an up-to-date desktop PC is a better idea. They are typically more powerful and meant to work longer than a mobile device. Additionally, older machines are at a higher risk of malware as operating system manufacturers like Microsoft drop support for older systems such as Windows XP, 7, and 8.

A Reliable Internet Connection

Almost nothing can be done these days without the web. And you more than likely have access to the web at your home office. However, it’s possible your connection isn’t particularly reliable. Older connections, such as DSL, are still in use by millions today. But these are extremely slow, and often cost marginally less than superior and more reliable internet connections such as fiber optic broadband. So do yourself and your business a favor and upgrade.

See this handy infographic to see which connection is best for your business:

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