Whether you are one of many turning to the Internet for small office home office SOHO information or you are looking for health benefits, stock information or trade tips–no one can take the Internet away from you. Computers are affordable for a small office and the benefits are great. Even if you’re just starting out with your small business home office, you can find free computer access in libraries and schools. And if you offer small office home office services, you can cash in no matter the status of the economy.

Find the knowledge and information you need for success in your small business home office, SOHO, by reading blogs and news articles. Learn out what people in the business are discussing. Read about how to find these SOHO business people who do not own storefronts or normal contact inroads. Then find out about the latest technology tools and equipment for the small office. Consider the following points when looking at small office home office news and trends:

1. Read SOHO blogs for the latest in the industry.

2. Find out how to capture this market sector.

3. Choose furniture and equipment for the office.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read a SOHO blog and find out what the latest buzz is on the small office

Blogs are good way to get the latest updates on SOHO, especially when you find one that homes in on SOHOS and discusses the topic from every angle.

I recommend: Chief Home Officer is a little site for the small office home office person. Whatever you may need or want to know about a small office, it is all here. Start with articles and the blog about home offices. SOHO Trends is a blog about small business that offers helpful resources, ideas and tips.

Find out how you capture SOHO business of specialty industries

Nearly every line of business may have something to contribute to small office home office news and trends. Find out what some of the specialty businesses have to say, and find out how to capture the SOHO market.

I recommend: CPA Trendlines writes about the future and present state of the small home office business, how to reach CEOs and how to market to them. They discuss the slippery and mysterious question of how to pin down these virtual offices to do business and offer products. MarketResearch.com gives tips on how to reach the small business SOHO sector.

Enhance your small office design with selections learned from SOHO news and trends

Architecture, furniture and small office home office equipment choices are all decisions you will make for a SOHO.

I recommend: See what architects have dreamed up and made real for home offices in Dallas by reading this article from The Dallas Morning News. HighBeam Research gives a little taste of the industry news and trends here with articles focusing mostly on SOHO furniture. Digital Trends writes about 10 Trends in the SOHO arena including but not limited to computers, all-in-one fax, copier, printers, external hard drives, LCD screens, the best in mice, keyboards and phone systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before learning everything you know from news articles and blogs, search the Internet for small office home office information for a solid foundation and definition of the industry.

Finding a new house is no picnic — you've got to consider the basics, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the architectural style, the yard and, of course, the price. Then you've got to consider the appeal of the neighborhood, the quality of local schools and access to shopping and entertainment. Add the fact that your new abode also needs to house an office where you can run your business, and the chore becomes even more difficult.

To simplify the quest for an office-ready home, you need to know what to look for, including:

1. Zoning law compliance
2. Adequate space
3. Wiring needs
4. Internet access
5. Phone capabilities

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check zoning laws

When searching for a home that's also suitable for operating your small business, check zoning laws to make sure it's legal to run a business in the location you are considering. Zoning restrictions regarding signage, on-street parking, business hours and hiring employees vary by city, county and state. If you're considering buying a condo or co-op, check with the homeowners' association about restrictions regarding home businesses.

I recommend: Visit MegaLaw for links to zoning law sites in your state, county or municipality. Ask zoning questions or find a zoning lawyer at Free Advice.

Determine office space needs

Determine how much space you need for your office and make sure your new home fits those needs. Finding a home with a separate guesthouse or studio with its own entrance that can be used as an office is ideal, especially if you'll be having clients visit.

I recommend: Download a handy evaluation worksheet from ColdwellBanker.com. Be sure to include your office needs on these forms and share them with your real estate agent.

Use the Internet to search

Take advantage of the Web in your search for a home that will double as your office. Most national real estate firms allow you to search for homes online using specific search criteria. Save time by taking online virtual home tours, which can quickly show you whether or not a home fits your business needs. Many new homes are now being built with home office needs in mind.

I recommend: Visit Prudential Real Estate, Coldwell Banker or Century 21 to search for homes online.

Get wired for success

Older homes are rarely equipped for the electrical needs of a small business. Unless you find a home that previously housed an office, you aren't likely to find one with enough electrical outlets for your needs. In most instances, you'll need to hire an electrician to install additional electrical outlets.

I recommend: Find a local electrician at ElectriciansNetworks.com or search your local YellowPages.com.

Check Internet access

Look for a home that can be wired for high-speed Internet access with either DSL or cable.

I recommend: Check with Verizon Business DSL, Speakeasy Business DSL or Comcast to determine if the home can get high-speed Internet access.

Assess phone capabilities

If you're going to be using a multi-line phone system, look for a home that's already set up for multiple phone lines. Or verify with the local phone company that it can be equipped for additional phone lines.

I recommend: Find out how much it will cost to add phone lines with a local phone company, such as BellSouth or Verizon.

Find an agent

Look for a real estate agent who has experience with home offices. If they've worked with home-based business owners in the past, they'll probably have a better idea of your needs.

I recommend: Find a real estate agent at RealEstateAgent.com or contact the local branch of a national real estate firm, such as RE/MAX.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for a home with ample free street parking. If clients or employees have to pay to park, have to park far away or have to drive around for a long time looking for a spot, they may be discouraged from doing business with you.
• •  Consider how easily accessible the home office wiring is. If you ever have a problem, you don't want to have to head for the basement or crawl space to find the circuit breaker. And if you ever need a technician who gets paid by the hour, you can cut costs if wiring is readily accessible.
• •  Don't forget about storage space. As a business owner, you're required to maintain financial records for years so make sure your new home has adequate room to stow important business records.
• •  Check out the noise level at the house during your normal working hours. Will the neighbor's noisy kids, barking dogs or loud stereos disrupt your business?

SOHO stands for small office, home office. Usually it refers to home-based business and small businesses as a part of the marketplace. It also can refer to the actual office space of entrepreneurial and small businesses.

When the newly laid off or adventuresome entrepreneur starts out in business, or the established small business expands or sets up a new office with the latest equipment and technology, a heads up guide to the process is helpful. The home business office takes on new importance once the entrepreneur or small business owner graduates from the bedroom or garage or into a real office. What scanner, computer, telephones, calculators or digital cameras should you buy? What kind of layout, design and furniture should you buy? Consider the following small office home office basics for your small home office:

1. Define SOHO and view a complete home office setup.

2. Learn about scanners, printers and other technology to help you in your home office.

3. Read articles and tips to help you with your small office home office, SOHO.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read a definition of SOHO and watch a video of a successful entrepreneur's home office

Do you ever hear terms for the first time, like SOHO, and wonder what it means? It's always good to see how others are using an acronym and get a feel for the word. Another great thing to do is to look at a picture of it. Maybe you're a visual learner. Look at a video for small office ideas.

I recommend: Read a definition of "SOHO" in a glossary at Small Business Notes. See a YouTube video tour of a home office.

Find state-of-the-art technology and equipment for your small business home office

Technology changes so fast, you almost need to keep reading and studying around the clock to find the latest and the greatest new piece of office equipment. Alternatively, you can subscribe to a high tech blog, visit some small office equipment websites or read the latest book on the market for SOHO.

I recommend: Learn how to configure a small office with Cisco routers and firewalls using Linux Home Networking step by step instructions. Read articles at TheAppleBlog about finding SOHO printers on a budget. Find a book review for an eBook about scanners at Diesel eBooks.

Listen to what others in related industries are saying about SOHO

Look at articles from those in the small office design and architecture business. And read small office information from sites that specialize in small business tips.

I recommend: Read a few articles at RugsAndFlooring.com about SOHO; click on a link or two for additional information. Read what SOHO/SME has to say about small business offices and business. Scroll to the bottom of the page and read the home office tips and warnings.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Decide what you need and want. Look at a few offices of people who do similar things as you; see how they stay organized and what kind of equipment they use and buy. Remember SOHO really represents and stands for the whole idea of home business. That is a subject with breadth and depth. One of the best ideas for now is to start where you are then grow and expand as the need arises.

Small office home office (SOHO) and home based small businesses are sprouting up nation-wide, as house shoes replace high heels and commuter’s cars don’t leave the garage. The small office home office requires much of the same supplies and equipment as larger corporations, such as a computer, software, phone system, office supplies and furniture – only on a smaller scale. The two office home is becoming increasingly popular as working from home emerges as a growing option for many individuals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

SOHO

SOHO is the acronym used for small office home office. SOHO business types include, but are not limited to, home businesses, small businesses, independent contractors and telecommuters.

I recommend: Score discusses the emergence and growth of the SOHO market as well as the driving forces behind the trend. View Working Solo for answers to frequently asked questions about SOHO and SOHO entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is an individual who starts and manages a new business venture or markets a new product. Entrepreneurs aren't just on Wall Street - they also run small, large and home based businesses.

I recommend: BusinessTown.com gives a detailed description and profile of an entrepreneur. Suite101.com outlines the rewards and advantages of a home based business for entrepreneurs.

Independent contractor

Independent contractors are persons or businesses who are strictly self employed. They market their services or expertise to a particular business or client, but are not actually hired by that business.

I recommend: Small Business Notes formally defines an independent contractor. Nolo answers frequently asked questions about independent contractors and their professions.

Two office home

A two office home is a house equipped with two offices or work areas for two individual people who telecommute or work from the home.

I recommend: The Dallas Morning News presents an article showcasing the two office home. The two office home is becoming more common as an increasing number of people choose to telecommute. HGTV.com gives advice to the small office home office worker in regard to organization of their work space.

Telecommuting

Telecommuting is working at home for a business using computers, faxes, phones and electronic mail as the means of communication and transfer of documents.

I recommend: Daily Writing Tips looks at the pros and cons of telecommuting for the employee. Undress for Success has put together a book based on their two year study of telecommuting. They address telecommuting and its effect on the community, companies, employees and the environment.

All-in-one, fax, copier, printer and scanner

An all-in-one fax, copier printer and scanner is a machine that allows you to fax, copy, print and scan documents using only one apparatus. An all-in-one device is beneficial for the small office home office due to its versatility and condensed state.

I recommend: Digital Trends lists the ten essential items for a home office. The all-in-one multifunction machine is number one, in addition to a computer, phone and speaker system. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy awards the Energy Star rating to all-in-one scanners, printers and devices. The all-in-one unit is 25% more efficient than traditional devices.