Business

10 Mistakes To Avoid When Relocating Your Business

10 Mistakes To Avoid When Relocating Your Business

As your business grows, you may want to relocate for many reasons, including saving long-term costs, expanding your reach, seeking a larger space, etc. Statistics reveal that companies can spend as much as $97,100 yearly on moving to a new location. Indeed, moving can require a lot of time and money, making it essential for you to do it the right way. On that note, here are some mistakes to avoid when moving your business.

1. Poor financial preparation

Moving your business can be quite an investment, and as such, you need to budget adequately for it. Many costs are involved in making your move a smooth one, such as rebranding, new furniture, utilities, etc. You, therefore, need to plan your finances early and thoroughly enough to factor in all these expenses and any other unforeseen circumstances. It would help if you got as many quotes as possible to help you with price comparisons. For instance, you can compare business energy costs to know which utility options will work best for your company and enable you to save as much as you can on your energy costs. 

It would be best to have a practical checklist to guide your preparations and make your overall planning easier. As you prepare financially, it’s vital to avoid shortcuts such as hiring an amateur moving company to save some expenses, as this could prove costly in the long run. 

2. No communication with your employees

Your employees are a significant part of your move, and it’s best to involve them as much as possible. It would help if you kept them in the loop from the beginning so they’re aware of the impending move. Doing this will help them plan for their personal lives just in case they may also need to relocate with their family to be closer to work. 

Letting them know beforehand will also allow your employees to feel valued and motivated, knowing that they’re an integral part of your business. As you communicate with your employees, remember to keep your other business stakeholders, such as customers, suppliers, etc., involved so they’re updated.

3. Hiring the wrong moving company

Relocating may take longer if you decide to do it independently. That said, moving services will be beneficial. There are several moving companies to choose from, making it vital for you to research carefully to find the right fit for your business. It would help if you looked out for an experienced service provider with insurance to ensure your goods are well-protected. Asking many questions will help you make an informed decision that would be best for your business. You can also find out what others say about the company by checking client reviews. Some moving companies specialize in helping businesses move, so it would be a plus if you opted for those as well to help make your relocation easier. 

4. Not visiting your new premises beforehand

In the excitement of your new move, it’s essential to visit your new location a couple of times to familiarize yourself with the place and identify any issues you may need to handle immediately. Aside from having a general ideal location in mind, you should also pay more attention to the specifics, such as the building’s layout. Even if you find your choice online, it’s still crucial to view the place in person. Taking this step will also give you an idea of the floor plans to help you prepare accordingly, acquaint you with your new business surroundings, and this could even lead to new partnerships and customers in the future.

5. Picking the wrong time for the move

The timing of your relocation is a critical factor you shouldn’t overlook. It would be best to consider your business operations, announcement dates, peak moving times, etc., in planning the day of your move. You need to ask some essential questions to guide you in choosing the best time for your relocation and help you come up with deadlines you need to meet to make your move smoother. For instance, what would be the best and convenient time for everyone in your company to move, and is your company financially ready for the big move? As you prepare to relocate, it would help if you also chose a period that isn’t so popular for people to move, so you can save costs as moving can be more expensive during peak seasons such as weekends, summer, etc.

6. Overlooking the impact of your move on your brand

The decision to move is a major one that can significantly affect your brand and success. These effects could be either positive or negative, depending on how you go about your relocation. For instance, will your new building make it easier for customers to visit you if the need arises? Will your reputation be affected as you move?

You also need to ensure that you update your information as early as possible, such as your new address, contact information, etc. Additionally, you should monitor your online channels and keep your clients constantly informed to assure them that business is going on as usual, despite the move. They should know that your relocation is an opportunity for growth and won’t affect your customer service negatively. Doing this will make it easier for you to take significant steps, such as organizing a grand launch and thanking your customers for staying with you as you begin the new chapter of your business journey.

7. Forgetting the technical aspect of your business

Successfully running your business may involve some technology, depending on the nature of your operations. In the hustle and bustle of moving, you may forget to make provisions for your technical stuff such as your computers, security cameras, data servers, etc. Poor connections will disrupt your business processes, which could slow down the rate at which you get back on track after relocation. As such, you should plan adequately for installing your technology and transporting your gadgets safely to avoid any damage. If you can’t move everything at once, you can find safe storage units until you’re ready.

8. Not cleaning the space before you move

Cleaning is an essential step for a successful move. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, hygiene has become even more of a priority, and it’s best to do all you can to ensure your new building is as clean as possible before you move in. You most likely won’t handle the cleaning yourself due to the tight moving schedule, but you can hire professional cleaning services to make things easier for you and trust them to do a thorough job. 

9. Poor storage and labeling of your items

This step might seem like a minute detail but can help make your move more organized. It’s best to store your essential documents in separate boxes. Additionally, backup your information using cloud solutions to avoid losing any critical data such as client details. Labeling your items clearly will help make unpacking less stressful and help you know which things go where in your new office space.

Taking the time to label your things will also help you identify any items you don’t need to take to your new building, such as old office furniture. If you have any items you no longer use, you can either give them out or dispose of them properly. Doing this will help reduce any clutter and help you maximize space as much as possible. As you pack, remember to take inventory of all your items to help you keep track of them. Additionally, you should store any fragile items in durable boxes and wrap them in protective layers such as bubble wrap or old papers.

10. Trying to do everything in a day

Achieving results may be a priority for your business, but you also need to set realistic timelines to ensure your move is as seamless as possible. Trying to do everything in one day could make you feel disorganized and cause you to overlook essential things which may cost you later. When you finally move, you should also bear in mind that you may not be able to settle in one day. Being aware of this will help you put the basics in place to help your business start running again while taking time for other significant parts of settling down. Some finishing touches may take a while to implement, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting started. Moving is a critical step, and you need to give yourself and your business time so your relocation will be as organized and rewarding as possible.

The tips listed above will help make your relocation less stressful, more cost-effective and guide you in avoiding common mistakes some businesses make when moving their company to a new location. Remember, you shouldn’t wait till the last minute before planning towards your move, so you can implement measures that will be best for your business, make your relocation comfortable for your stakeholders, and yield the results you desire.

About the author

Jitender Sharma

Publisher on Google News and Founder of The Next Hint, Inc. Spent 40,000 hours in Business development and Content Creation. Expert in optimizing websites according to google updates and providing a solution-based approach to rank websites on the Internet. My aspirations are to help people build a business while I'm also open to learning and imparting knowledge. Passionate about marketing and inspired to find new ways to create captivating content.
Follow him on Linkedin and Twitter

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *