4 Steps to Setting Up Your Small Business Office

Setting up your office is probably one of the most exciting parts of starting a new business. It can also be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never set up an office before. The key is lots of careful planning and preparation beforehand.

You can save a lot of time and money if you are organized and do your research before you go shopping for office supplies and equipment. Here are a few tips to help you get started with setting up your office.

Effective office setup

Buy Used and Refurbished Office Equipment

You will probably need a printer, copier, scanner and mailing equipment. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to add some more specialized equipment, but those are generally the items almost every office needs. You can save a lot of money on these machines if you opt to buy used and refurbished ones from a reputable source like JJ Bender.

JJ Bender has over 38 years of experience in the office automation equipment industry, and they pride themselves on providing high quality equipment and excellent customer service. Every piece of equipment they offer goes through a thorough quality check to make sure it functions as well as a brand new machine. You can buy used printers, copiers and other machines from the JJ Bender website.

Decide on a Layout before Buying Furniture

What kind of office layout would you prefer? Would you prefer an open plan with lots of space for collaboration and minimal privacy or need for storage? Or would you prefer a closed plan with private, individual cubicles?

The type of layout you prefer will determine the kind of furniture you should buy. How much space you have will also be a big factor. If your office is a small one, you’ll want to steer clear bulky pieces of furniture and opt for sleeker, more streamlined designs.

Determine What Computers and Software You Should Get

What kind of computers and software you buy will depend on the nature of your business. If you do a lot of analytic work, you may need to invest in a high performance computer. If you do a lot of creative design, you may need to purchase several programs to help you in your work. If you don’t expect to spend a lot of time on the computer at all, you’ll still need a basic machine for sending and receiving email, accounting, and database management.

Work computer network

Get an Internet Connection and Set up Your Computer Network

Of course, if you have a computer, you’ll need an internet connection as well. If you are starting a bigger business with several employees, you’ll also need a computer network. An internet connection will connect you to your clients and customers, while a computer network will connect you and your employees to each other. For a larger office, you’ll need a router, Ethernet cabling and switches.

Setting up an office requires a lot of thoughtful planning and research. Equip yourself with the right information and knowledge, and make smart and cost effective choices when purchasing items for your office. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to open up shop!