You already know what you want to do, but not sure what steps to take in order to get your work at home business started? You’ve come to the right place! Using the check list below, in the order they’re given, check off each item as it’s completed. Once the check list is complete you should be ready to open your doors.

1. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, County Clerk or Building and Zoning to see if there are any special licenses or permits your need to operate your business legally.

2. Decide if you’re business is a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC or corporation. You can research this information online or check with your accountant or attorney.

3. Name your business. Your business name is probably one of the most important things you need to think about. It needs to be relevant to your business and catchy and memorable.

4. Set up a business budget. You need to know how much it’s going to cost to start your business, keep it running and make a profit.

5. Write your business plan. Every business needs one and you can find forms for this online to simplify the process.

6. Advertising and Marketing -You need to incorporate into your business budget money for advertising and marketing, whether it’s online or not. No matter what type of business you own, you need to advertise it.

One of the least expensive ways, and the most profitable marketing solutions, are websites, blogs and social networking. If you do nothing else to advertise your business, you must market it online. Get a website designer or virtual assistant to help you with this if you don’t know how or don’t have time.

People all over the world use the Internet and search engines to find information when they need it and if you don’t use this highly valuable medium to market your business, you are missing out on literally millions of potential customers.

7. Hiring personnel – If you need to hire others to help you get the job done professionally and efficiently, now is the time to start interviewing. Don’t wait until you have your first customer but can’t complete the job or do it well because you don’t have the man power.

8. Office Space – Just about every work at home business requires some type of office space, whether its a table where you’ll do your bookkeeping and paperwork or it’s a full fledge room. Make sure you have a good spot laid out in your home where you can work peaceably and uninterrupted.

9. Office Equipment – Chances are you’ll need, at the very least, a calculator or adding machine, a file cabinet and some files and some type of receipts in order to keep proper books for yourself, the IRS and customers. Most people find using a computer or laptop the most convenient and efficient. You may also need a fax machine, a scanner and a printer depending on the type of business you run. You’ll also need a phone so potential customers can readily contact you for business.

10. Business cards/flyers/brochures – Whether your business is on the internet or out in the community, you want to let your community know about it. They will most likely be your first customers. Get some printed materials to post in laundry mats, grocery stores, the library or town hall, banks and other facilities that allow postings of this type. Be sure you always have business cards on hand so when people ask you what’s new, you can tell them all about your business and hand them a business card.