In the age of the Internet we see many work at home
businesses pop up. The sad truth is most look like a
homemade mess. Running a successful and professional home
business isn't impossible, but it does take logic, time,
determination, and a business mind.  So what can be done to
make a home business appear more professional? Follow the 7
steps of success used by leaders in the home business arena.

1. Treat A Business Like A Business.
 -Tke business seriously
 -Dn't be afraid of hard work
 Have a business plan
 -Budget your time, money & resources
 -Have business hours
 -Post contact information on the website
 -Have a separate phone line
 -Be compliant with the law - get tax licenses etc.
 -Posses professional marketing materials
 -Advertise the business
 -Network
 -Develop strategic alliances with other home business
owners
 -Develop partnerships
 -Cross promote
 -Find a mentor

2. Professional Business Cards
 -Absolutely NO free business cards with logos of the
printer on the back
 -Business cards should show business name/logo, email and
phone at a minimum
 -Include a coupon or incentive for customer

3. Exclusive Business Domain Name
 -Spend the extra 5.00 a month and 8.95 a year for hosting
and a good domain name (ex. www.me.theotherplace.com instead
of just www.me.com)

4. Professional Email Address
 -Have a professional email address
 -Try to have it at the domain (ex. me@me.com)
 -Avoid yahoo, hotmail and other freebie accounts

5. Clean Up, Clean Up
 -Have a professional looking website
 -Combine links and "fun" things on a separate page
 -Don't clutter the site with useless information make sure
it's related
 -Eliminate extra spaces to ensure the home page is not 3
miles long
 -Research Search Engine Optimization and find out how to
get the website's placement optimized for success
 -Use colors pleasing to the eye
 -Make visitors return to the  site by offering them tools
and other extras that keep them coming back for more
 -Offer something free
 -Don't overdo the graphics
 -Have an impartial party take a look at the site and offer
honest advice
 -Tailor the site to its audience
 -Be concise and to the point
 -Build a site map
 -Offer contact information
 -Tell your story, after all you are a work at home business
owner so use this as an opportunity to make the site more
personal while still remaining professional--this is your
advantage over the big guys
 -Use professional graphics not clipart
 -UPDATE YOUR SITE REGULARLY

6. Customer Service
 -Ship items in a timely manner
 -Keep customers abreast of the status of their order
 -Have a working customer service email
 -Have a working customer service phone number
 -Listen to the customer
 -Give customers something extra
 -Thank the customer

7. Show Stability
 -Prove to the customers you're not going anywhere
 -Don't give up
 -Don't open, close, and reopen your site continuously
 -When on vacation find someone to cover the site or conduct
business remotely
 -ADVERTISE - it shows stability and the repetition creates
branding
 -Stick to your guns

Tara Crooks is the site owner and editor of http://www.AdvertisingMoms.com. Tara's journey with WAHM Advertising began with the launch of her first site in June 2001. Since, she has earned a profitable living by building a great WAHM advertising resource & network in Advertising Moms. She is a PROUD Army Wife and WAHM! Return to Online Work at Home Opportunities