Moving Your Business Without Losing Your Mind

How do you know when your business is ready to move?

Owners are driven to move their businesses for many reasons, including being closer to their target customers, improving foot traffic, and better showcasing their products. They may feel they’ve outgrown their current space or need a new direction. 

However, wanting to move and being ready to move are very different. To ensure you’re ready to take on the risk of moving your business, ask the following questions.

1. Is moving a worthwhile financial investment? 

Don’t underestimate the importance of conducting a thorough small business marketing and financial analysis. A move may bring better visibility or a newer building, but signing a commercial lease in a better location may incur higher costs. Deciding whether or not it’s a worthwhile investment requires quantitative work.

“When moving office spaces, my best tip is ensuring that your business is in the place to expand before you physically expand,” said Nellie Akalp, CEO and founder of business consulting company CorpNet. “Make sure your numbers are where they need to be and your team is in place to support the expansion.”

2. Are you and your team prepared for the inconvenience of moving? 

You may want to move and have adequate financial resources for your new rent and expenses, but you must also be realistic about the toll moving will take on your team. 

“You don’t want to move spaces because you envision your company growth,” Akalp advised. “A vision is great, but going through a physical move is very trying on a team. Make sure that vision is becoming a reality before signing that new lease.”

You may decide that your business can weather the temporary challenges of moving because the end goal is worth it. Karen Chisum, owner of The Foundry Collective, a locally owned boutique store in Clovis, California, saw an opportunity when a new building opened just one street over in a busier location. 

The appeal was the boost in space, increasing the store from 1,800 to 2,500 square feet. This was the business’s second move; it outgrew its initial space shortly after opening. While the planning and time investment of the move was substantial, Chisum found it was the right step to take for her business.

“At the end of the day, having adequate storage space, higher ceilings for taller displays, and the opportunity to rethink the design of the store were well worth the minor inconveniences,” Chisum said.

What are the best tips for moving your business?

If relocating is the right decision for your business, consider the following moving best practices to create a seamless transition. 

1. Open communication is critical when moving your business. 

When The Foundry Collective moved, the company faced construction delays that prolonged the opening date. However, Chisum said her team and the customers took the delays in stride. If nothing else, it increased interaction on social media, as people wanted to know when the store would open. 

Communication was key. Chisum and her team updated customers on how the relocation was progressing, alerted them that The Foundry was still at its old location, and reminded them that the move was still happening.

Here are some tips for essential relocation communication: 

• Communicate with your team during a move. Keep your team informed during the relocation process, especially if you’re offering employee relocation packages. Even if your move is relatively local, employees must understand what the new location entails regarding parking, their commute, office perks and more. Give them a schedule of events and a list of their responsibilities.
• Keeps customers and vendors in the loop. It’s also critical to keep customers and vendors informed about your move. Use your business website, social media accounts, email newsletters and signage to announce your opening day and any delays, and have your sales team stay in close contact with their clients. 

2. Make a to-do list of essential moving tasks.

When planning your move, keep a checklist of the things you must accomplish. Make the list as soon as you decide it’s the right time to move. 

Your to-do list items should  include the following: 

• Research moving companies. Do plenty of research on moving companies, and book their services months in advance. 
• Get quotes for new services. Collect quotes for a new business phone system, internet services and security equipment for the new space. Taking care of this early helps you better understand your budget for the new building, as you may also want to renovate the space or purchase new furniture. 
• Review lease terms. Ensure you have a clear understanding of your lease and its terms. 
• Research insurance. Determine whether or not you need small business insurance for the move. For instance, if essential equipment breaks during the move, the damage could detrimentally affect operations. Insurance would make sure your business can recover.
• Create your new layout. Plan the layout before you move, and consider hiring an interior designer to make the most out of the space.
• Update your online presence. Keep your online presence current by updating your website and Google Business Profile listing with your new address and contact info. Services like Moz can check all mentions of your business’s listing online and update them for you.
• Consider your reopening. Plan what the first day in your new location will look like. Will it be a soft opening or a big splash with decorations and goodies? That decision, like others, depends on your business type and customer needs. A fresh start with excited customers is a great way to end the moving process.
• Set a budget. Examine all relocation factors to determine how much the move will cost, and prepare accordingly.

Moving your business doesn’t have to be a headache

From choosing a new space to moving day, relocating a business involves significant time and effort — with potentially disastrous consequences if things go wrong. Fortunately, proactive steps can ensure your business is ready for the move and that the relocation process is smooth and efficient. 

Despite the challenges, moving provides a chance to grow your business and set it up for success in its new location.

“Use a move as an opportunity to evaluate your product and your bestsellers,” Chisum said. “Analyze how your products are selling, and take advantage of a chance to expand on inventory or pivot in the areas you need to.”

Done carefully and correctly, relocating doesn’t have to be a painful process and can offer your business the opportunity it needs to flourish.

Adam Uzialko contributed to the reporting and writing in this article. Some source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.