Find the Perfect Location
First, you need to find the perfect new location for your business. Get in touch with a local real estate company for help tracking down commercial real estate listings that fit your criteria. NerdWallet suggests considering important location factors like access to supplies and vendors, neighborhood safety, low surrounding competition, convenient parking options, and access to good transportation for your employees. Be sure to also think about how your brand fits with the atmosphere of the surrounding area. You want your business to fit in seamlessly with existing shops and neighborhood demographics.
Update Your Invoices
Once you know where you want to move, update all of your business information to reflect your change of address. Updating your invoices is a good place to start. You can use an online invoice maker to create new invoice templates for your business with all of the information your clients need to pay you promptly and accurately. Dedicated invoice design tools make it easy to produce professional-looking invoices with your own business name, logo, brand colors, and more.
Update Your Online Presence
Next, you’ll need to update your business information on your website, social media pages, and Google business listing. Red Rocket Web Specialists explains that you’ll need to check for existing Google business listings at your new location before you can claim your own business there. You may need to submit an edit to remove other businesses listed at your new location before you can update your current listing.
Keep in mind that you may need to go through a verification process to change your address on Google, but updating your website and socials first should help your credibility. And if you don’t yet have a Google business listing, this is your chance to create one!
Notify Your Clients
It’s not enough just to update your business information and assume your clients will see it on your website and invoices. Desk Alert suggests that you write a relocation email to clients and business partners to notify them of your move. Include in this letter an explanation of all the positive reasons you’re moving, how it will benefit your clients, and all of your new contact information. Be sure to end your letter with a statement confirming that you look forward to continuing your business relationships so your clients know you would still like to continue serving them.
Register Your Business in Your New Location
Whether you’re moving your business across town or to a whole new state, you’ll have to revisit your obligations regarding business registration, licenses, and permits. If you’re moving out of state, remember to register your LLC or corporation in your new state. There are two main ways to do this. The first is to maintain your active LLC registration in your old state and register as a foreign entity in your new state. Your other option is to dissolve your existing LLC and register as a new LLC. You can avoid expensive lawyer fees by filing your paperwork online with the help of digital formation services. Just make sure you review your state rules before moving forward.
Book a Storage Unit
Moving a business often means packing up and hauling a lot of equipment, supplies, and inventory. You’re likely going to need somewhere to store a few things while you get your new location set up. Consider booking a storage unit now so that it’s ready to hold items while you decide where they’re going to wind up. Storage units cost an average of $100 to $300 per month, with the difference depending mainly on size and availability. Many storage centers offer discounts for new customers, so do your research to keep your costs under budget.
Create a Moving Timeline
With so much to do before moving your business, it’s easy to leave out important details and forget small tasks, mistakes that could turn into major headaches down the road. Create a thorough moving timeline and checklist so that you can stay organized. Try to start this planning process at least 12 to 6 months from your desired move date. This will give you plenty of time to design a moving schedule that avoids overlaps so you don’t have to pay double rent. On the other hand, you may want to include an overlap so you can minimize business disruptions by operating out of two locations during your move.
Once you’ve outlined a plan for your move, enlist a group of employees to serve as moving coordinators. These employees will help ensure that all of your business departments are properly prepared for the move well in advance. Your team of moving coordinators can also help you research moving companies, gather quotes, draw up a moving budget, and tackle logistical tasks like measuring your new office and placing orders for equipment. Be sure to have them add A+ Moving Coordinators to their call list!
Once you’re settled into your new location, consider sharpening some of your business-related skills. Moving to a new place can be a great time for a refresh! There are plenty of great online degree programs available that you can complete in your own time. Click here to learn about the different programs from which you can choose.
Put Your Plan into Action
Moving a business is a lot of work. To ensure your team is ready for this major undertaking, start planning your move as early as possible! Find out what you need to do to register your business in your new location, book a storage unit, update your invoices, notify your clients, and update your business information online. You can never be too prepared for a move!