How to Transition a Physical Business to Working Remotely Online
August 27, 2020
Are you looking to transition your small, local business to an online and remote system? You might be looking to move out of the area your company is currently in, perhaps office work isn’t possible right now, or you want to expand in a way only remote working will allow.
Whatever the reason, you need to go digital so that your business can continue and grow. Transitioning to an online and remote centered business after having a physical office or location is a time-consuming task and can present some unexpected challenges.
Whether you’re in the midst of a transition or looking to get started, this article should give you a few ideas on how to do it smoothly and effectively.
- Digitize Your Onboarding Process
If conducting interviews in person isn’t an option, you’ll have to consider how you’ll grow your business by bringing new people onboard entirely online. If you’re hiring employees that you’ll keep online and remote, it makes sense to hire them online.
Consider how the actual interviewing process will look, plus everything that comes afterwards, including checking their details and training them remotely.
For interviews, video calling is the second-best alternative to meeting in person. Skype and Zoom offer video messaging options for free.
You’ll also want to look into companies like ScoutLogic that can perform simple background checks via the internet.
Finally, messaging platforms like Slack are great for team collaborations and allowing colleagues to train each other.
- Make a Comprehensive Website
When digitizing your business, it’s essential to focus on your website. On the internet, websites act similarly to storefronts on the street. People will stop and check out beautiful storefronts, and will be more likely to go inside and purchase something – the same goes for a website.
Attractive, effective websites get more traffic. The best part of having a good online site is that people will automatically trust you more than a competitor whose site looks as if it was built in 2005.
The key here is to commission a professional web developer to create you a custom website. There are plenty out there who can do this for you – check out their past work to make sure they’ll fit with your style.
- Keep Your Team in the Loop
When bringing your business completely online, crafting a great website is only part of the journey. Now it’s time to think about your employees and the team members that you’ve already hired. How will their jobs change?
You’ll want to inform them all of your decision to go remote and digital in the initial planning phases. That way you’ll be able to take suggestions and adjust schedules to keep as many of your employees as possible.
Bear in mind that some will require adjustments to allow them to work from home. They may need computers, a desk, or other equipment.
- Ensure Employees Know Their Tasks and Roles
With your team informed of changes to their roles, and plans underway to go digital, it’s time to figure out how you’ll make sure your team are doing the work.
Platforms like Trello work to divide tasks and keep employees organized. Here is some information about Trello pricing to give you an idea of what you might expect. You can also utilize the Google business platform and email to give updates and ensure everyone knows their tasks.
- Decide Which Digital Communication Platforms to Use
When you work in an office, you can hold meetings in person and gather everyone together. With an online business, you’ll need to transition to a platform such as Zoom, Skype, or Google Business to call your team.
Especially when working remotely, it’s important to hold regular meetings so that everyone is up-to-date – there can be a lot of things missed when you don’t work in the same room.
Going Online Doesn’t Have to Be a Hassle
For those looking to transition to an online and remote business, don’t sweat. Working remotely can save on overhead costs, make working easier on your employees, and even grow your business.
