4 Best Practices for a Successful Work-from- Home Experience
Working from home has become increasingly common since the early 2000s. FlexJobs reports that between 2005 and 2017, remote work shot up by 159 percent. As it stands, 4.7 million people, or 3.4 percent of the U.S. population, now work from home — and hundreds of thousands of more people have joined the ranks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While there are many benefits to working from home, the local coffee shop or while vacation on another continent, there are also important practices everyone needs to take to enjoy a safe and comfortable work experience outside the traditional office. Here are the best four practices for a successful work-from-home experience.
(1) Find the Right ISP to Keep You Connected and Responsive
When working remotely, finding and investing in the right internet service provider (ISP) is crucial since it allows you to stay connected with your employer, co-workers and customers. Consider the following when deciding on your ISP:
- The level of usage for your requirements, such as checking emails, browsing websites and streaming videos
- The lowest cost for the most benefits
- The fastest speeds for uploading and downloading
- The quality of network coverage in your area
- The commitment and quality of customer service
(2) Invest in the Right Technology for Your Communication and Productivity Needs
Whether you are starting a freelance business, launching your own small business or are working remotely for an established company, you need to have the best technology that you can afford for your needs. Start with the basics, and make sure you have a computer, email address, phone conferencing capabilities and access to internal networks no matter whether you’re working from home or from a public location.
Furthermore, it’s important to have a secured wireless network and a trusted virtual private network (VPN) to provide a buffer between your mobile device or laptop and the wireless connection, which helps prevent the tampering, intercepting and compromising of any transmitted data.
(3) Launch Your Own Website
If you’re starting your own business, you obviously need to get the word out to prospects, existing customers and industry peers — and launching your own website is the perfect way to keep everyone updated on your business and its status.
Of course, it’s important you buy a domain name for your business in your name. After all, your domain name is your website’s address, often indicating the name or nature of your business. For a quick analysis of which domain names are available in the marketplace, check out ISP-in-Area.com to determine what may be the best fit for your business.
(4) Designate Your Workspace, Work Time and Boundaries
Working from your bed, in a gaming chair or on the patio works fine for some telecommuters, but most find it helpful to designate a workspace with everything they need, including a desk, their computer and, ideally, a door. While part of the appeal of working from home is that you can work anywhere you want, not everyone in your home may understand that you are indeed working. Closing the door to your workspace isn’t mandatory, but setting aside a space of your own with all your supplies will help you set boundaries that include your start and finish time each day.
Maintain These Practices for a Successful and Easygoing Work-from-Home Experience
It takes effort and commitment to work at home while maintaining your privacy, meeting deadlines, and keeping everyone around you happy. With these practices, it becomes easier to get all the benefits of working from home without all the stress. With the right equipment and solid work-related boundaries, you can relax and enjoy working remotely.
