Guest Post by Gwen Payne @ Invisible Moms
Photo by Elly Fairytale from Pexels

If you’re a stay-at-home parent interested in starting a business, you aren’t alone. According to Forbes, moms and dads are increasingly opting to found their own businesses instead of returning to office jobs. This is a great way to earn extra income while caring for your little ones. What’s more, many of the hurdles that once impeded entrepreneurship have fallen away thanks to the internet. You can easily find new customers online. A service like QUIK Websites can help you set up the online platform you need to get started.

This how-to guide is designed to help stay-at-home parents who want to start a business.

Choose a business that is compatible with your lifestyle

There are many types of businesses you can start from home. Take your time to consider what concept best suits your preferences and abilities. What educational credentials, work experience, or knowledge do you have that you can leverage for a business? For example, if you studied communications and journalism, a side business in online content writing might be ideal. If you went to art school, a graphic design business might be a better fit.

Good Housekeeping offers a comprehensive list of stay-at-home jobs to make extra money. Options include online teaching, online selling, social media management, blogging, vlogging, and more. E-commerce is one option that requires minimal experience or education. If you want to start an online retail business, do you have the storage space (like a garage) to house the goods you’ll sell? Using existing resources will help to keep overhead costs low.

Obtain the credentials, tools, and technology you need to get started

Depending on the type of business you opt for, you may want to obtain additional credentials before starting operations. Say you want to start an online English teaching business. EFL Magazine recommends getting your TOEFL certification in order to increase your marketability. If you want to set up an e-commerce business, it may be worth seeking accreditation via the Better Business Bureau to show you are trustworthy.

Even if you don’t need additional credentials, there are certain tools and technology worth investing in before you start your business. If you’re planning to start an online business, you want to ensure your internet connectivity is fast enough, for instance. If your business model requires video conferences, ensure you have a decent quality webcam and headset. Startup Nation has a list of digital tools small businesses may benefit from, including communication channels like Slack and project management tools like Trello.

Find ways to raise your business profile and attract customers

Once you have the basics in place that you’ll need for business operations, look for ways to attract customers. An engaging website is critical, especially for an e-commerce business. Pinnacle Creative explains what makes for a great e-commerce website, like solid branding and user-friendly design. When shopping around for web designers, check out portfolios of previous work samples. You can also use social media channels to market your business as well as other digital tools like email marketing. If marketing isn’t your strong suit, you can outsource this task to a freelance e-commerce marketing professional.

Founding a business as a stay-at-home parent doesn’t have to be hard. The above guide includes tips and tools to help you get started. Use this guide to help you figure out if you can afford to stay at home, then invest some time, effort, and money into the startup process now and you can develop a side business to help fund your family’s needs.

Trust QUIK Websites and QUIK Hosting to create a digital presence for your business. QUIK is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and startups make a great first impression on the web. Schedule your free consultation to get started.