Now turn it around. What do YOUR customers expect when they come to do business with YOU?

If your website is bright, cheery, and happy, you raise expectations of your visitors. It their expectations are high, they will LOOK for things to support that expectation. If your store is clean, well lit, and creates a mood of competence and confidence, your customers will feel good about it before they even get completely through door. They will expect to have a good experience, and they probably will.

Think of it as a strategy to get your customers working for you, putting their own energy into success of your relationship. If they expect a good experience, they will help you give it to them.

What can you do, then, to get them to expect best? Turn it around again… what is it that others do that raise your own expectations? It is true that what works for you won't necessarily work for others, but on other hand you will not please everyone no matter what you do. So make an environment that is 'you' and who you are, and your own comfort level will shine through and enable you to be your very best.

And when you are your best, you're already raising their expectations and setting stage for a good experience for everyone.

10) Research any additional regulations applicable to your product. Find out if there are restrictions on producing it from your home. For example, if you're a caterer, authorities may not allow you to prepare food in your home if you have pets running around!

11) Select a business structure, such as sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Again, you may want to consult with a qualified professional to determine what's best for your specific situation.

12) Assess your financial situation. Do you have enough to finance a business startup? How will you handle emergencies? Don't forget about marketing expenses -- success of your business will depend in large part on how well you market it.

13) Secure additional funds, if necessary. Loans, lines of credit, grants, savings, and employment income are some ways that entrepreneurs can finance their businesses. The US Small Business Administration has a useful list: http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexspecial.html

14) Prepare a business plan to help you define your goals and stay focused. Again, US SBA offers help at http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexbusplans.html

15) Investigate costs associated with purchasing necessary equipment, materials, and supplies. Contact several suppliers to compare quality, prices, and service.

16) Talk to your local tax office. Ask for any relevant information on how your home business will affect your tax situation.

17) Consider purchasing additional insurance to cover your business assets.

18) Set up your home office. Establish rules and 'office hours', when customers can generally expect to reach you. Consider setting aside a room specifically for your office space.

19) Talk to your bank about a business account, to keep your business and personal income and expenses separate.

20) Consult with professionals. Depending on your situation, you may need to use services of lawyers, accountants or bookkeepers, insurance agents or brokers, and others.

For additional information, read US Small Business Administration's 'Small Business Startup Kit' available at http://www.sba.gov/starting/indexstartup.html .

_____

Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, a practical guide to building a business on a beginner's budget. It's a proven hit with beginners, for the down-to-earth style and loads of instantly useable tips! For details, visit http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html OR request a series of 10 free reports to get you started: http://onlinebusinessbasics.com/freereports.html