Home Based Business Implementation Checklist

Your home based business plan has been written, revised, and finalized. You are now ready to take the next step: implement your business plan and start your business.

There are a number of steps you need to take before opening your home based business:

• Choose your legal structure and submit the necessary, local, state, and federal forms (unless you are a sole proprietorship).
• Check your zoning regulations.
• Finance your home business.
• Create your business image.
• Determine your business workspace.
• Determine the business equipment and supplies you will need.
• Purchase your business equipment and supplies.
• Register your home based business.
• Arrange for business insurance.
• Open your bank account.
• Set up your telephone service.
• Develop your Web site.
• Set up the distribution of your products.
• Establish your work schedule.
• Open your home based business.
• Implement your marketing plan.
• Write a policy and procedure manual for your home based business.

The steps listed above are basic to the opening of a home based business. Depending on the type of legal structure you selected, you may have other items to complete. Check the instructions with your state government or seek assistance from an attorney.