Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Running a Web Hosting Business : When to make the move...

[Techy]

At what point do you say that running my hosting company from my house is no longer efficient. I need to rent an office, hire some staff, and take the bull by the horn and ignite this from a 85k annual revenue to greater (No real figures used, just liked 85 haha).

Granted I know you need to have the money to cover rent, phone, computer hardware/software, salaries/cost, etc... But how do you know you've hit that plateau? Is it desirable? Is it necessary? Just wanted to get some opinions from the experts.

[Sposs]

It's hard to know exactly when to make the move as each case is different - ideally when you find yourself having to meet clients more and more, especially the larger clients then having you own office becomes more desirable as it allows you to win more high profile/professional clients.

[Techy]

Thanks Sposs ... Ideally catering to a larger audience (small to large size corporations) where you need it as a symbol of your business strength might help too (now that I think about it).

[Zagira]

I think theres a few factors you need to take into account with this.

If your company is growing and you've done your research and checked our prices and if your profits are able to cover the office space and extras then you could go for it.

Another is, are you happy to be working from home? Some web hosts like Site5 don't actually have an office as far as I'm aware and they have their staff working from home. If you like to be at home and be with the family then maybe you don't have to get an office. Companies and some accountants can offer you an office space to meet clients.

But if its your business and you want it to be more of your lifestyle and you like the feeling of travelling down to your very own office space and spending the day there with your employees and being able to get out of the house if you're not much of a family guy then you have a reason there to get your office space.

So no its not necessary, unless you start churning over the big bucks then I'd recommend splashing out.

Desireble? Lifestyle depening I think mostly, theres not much you can get out of an office in this busisness than you can from running it from home.

Thats my 2 cents.

[Techy]

Yes it's very true. Sometimes just a different environment helps me think. I guess that's why cafe's exist haha.

[JDNYSD]

I've heard of local companies working in and out of Starbucks, just bring your laptop and have some coffee while you meet, of course you aren't there for hours upon hours everyday but, it's definitely nice to have a weekly meeting while being cost efficient.

I personally think today more companies are starting to telecommute, it's typically efficient and costs for sure stay down. It is nice to have your own office space and etc. though I must say

[Techy]

Originally Posted by JDAnswer

I've heard of local companies working in and out of Starbucks, just bring your laptop and have some coffee while you meet, of course you aren't there for hours upon hours everyday but, it's definitely nice to have a weekly meeting while being cost efficient.

I personally think today more companies are starting to telecommute, it's typically efficient and costs for sure stay down. It is nice to have your own office space and etc. though I must say

I work for a S&P / Fortune 500 Company and we are moving to Work From Anywhere / Telecommute programs. Especially with the high rates for rent in NYC.