The Advantages and Disadvantages Of Starting An Internet Home Business
Janice Sharman
January 16, 2008
Now that the personal computer has become an essential part of most households in the civilized world, the home office has become a viable phenomenon. When you combine that with the exciting new advances in internet technology, it becomes apparent why more people than ever are now willing to start their own internet home business, or participate in the kind of internet work from home opportunity that would have been out of the question just a decade ago.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of working from home with your own business? Let’s have a look, first of all, at the disadvantages.
Phone Calls
Depending on the type of home business you've chosen, your clients will assume you are available all day, every day. Added to that, you will probably be working with international customers who forget about time zones! The plus side is that not all online work requires direct customer contact.
Your Home is your Office
There is no distinction between home and office, so you never get the feeling that work is over for the day. You can’t switch on and off as many do. However, there are no bells to work to and no boss checking his watch when you leave, so you have more time to complete your work.
You Must be Disciplined
Because you work from home it may seem like the hours you work don't matter. You can take a few hours off whenever you feel like it because you can make it up tomorrow. The problem is, ‘tomorrow never comes.’
When the children and your spouse have left the house there is no human interaction like there is with a job. Friends may visit but they usually distract you from your work or feel that because you work at home you have all the time in the world and they can visit whenever they feel like it. You need considerable discipline to work when there is no boss to grade your performance.
Financial independence is a significant factor.
If your work at home business makes you financially independent, it doesn’t matter that you work at home. The hours you work don’t matter if you are happy with your standard of living. If your work at home income does not exceed what you were making from your job, you need rethink your whole work at home strategy and come up with a niche and a marketing strategy that will give you the income you desire.
Seems like a daunting list of disadvantages doesn't it? I've got good news... An internet work at home business is certainly NOT doom and gloom! Now let’s discuss just a few of the advantages.
Convenience
Long frustrating commutes are a thing of the past. Your commute is on foot and measured in seconds depending on the size of your home! There are no traffic jams, and you can start work whenever it's convenient to you; one of the major pluses of working at home.
Safety
You won't be joining thousands of others under pressure to get to office by start time, so you will be less liable to have a road traffic accident. You can get out of bed each morning fired up with the enthusiasm you get from owning your own internet home business, go for a swim, then relax with a delicious cup of coffee while you read the morning paper and maybe even have some breakfast. All this before you start your working day.
Time with your family
All the time you used to spend traveling back and forth between home and work can now be spent with your family. Work at home parents have the pleasure of being there while their children are growing up without the expense or the worry of daycare!
Lower Travel Costs
How much does it cost you to commute? The maintenance costs of your car, gasoline or perhaps the cost of public transport? This must use up a fair amount of your disposable income. When you work from home your related travel costs are negligible, and the wear and tear on your vehicle is greatly reduced.
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