How to Set Up a Work-At-Home Call Center

Create your own virtual call center at home. This article will give you a step-by-step process for creating your island of call center efficiency even in an ocean of household clutter.

This article will give you the call center solutions including software, hardware, and office furniture you will need to make your call center a money making success.

Be sure to check out the linked resources to find popular cand highly practical hosted call center technologies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
    

   CARVE OUT YOUR CALL CENTER SPACE.
   
   If you are going to make this work you have to have a boundary between the chaos and your job. You don't need a large space, even a converted closet will do. However, it is helpful though to have your space out of the line of sight of most foot traffic in your home. This is your own hosted call center, so you need to be a good host. Don't let little jack and jill trample all over your money making hill.

2. 
    
   Saves Hundreds!

   PURCHASE A MULTI-LINE PHONE SYSTEM.
   
   You will need to purchase a call center solution that will provide multiple lines, call holding, and preferably voice over internet protocol (VOIP). That can save you hundreds of dollars over the year. The Ooma VoIP phone system is one of the best. See the resource link below to research it. Consider buying a head set for your personal call center. After hours on the phone you will be glad you did. This equipment is an investment (and tax deductible). It will make you money. So don't scrimp on the front end. Cut out your land line bill and it saves enough already. Think of it this way, you don't have to up your cell phone minutes either. Be smart and invest well.

3. 
    

   DESIGNATE A SEPARATE COMPUTER OR USER ACCOUNT FOR YOUR PHONE WORK.
   
   You don't want your children or spouse accidentally deleting sensitive material, or compromising private data accidentally. Hosted call center companies want to be sure of security. You should be the only one using the account that drives your call center. Netbook computers can be very affordable solutions for offering you a separate computer all your own.

4. 
    
   Hosted Call Center

   PURCHASE OR FIND COMFORTABLE CALL CENTER FURNITURE.
   
   As your virtual call center jobs multiply, your money will multiply but so will hours in your at home work space. You will want to have comfortable durable furniture. Your chair should be padded and swivel. Your desk should have enough work space for a computer and miscellaneous supplies. You will want file space even if it is just several plastic file crates.

Tips & Warnings

• Draw boundaries for your family around your personal hosted call center.
• Many people find it helpful to set office hours at home. These are 'don't bother me at all' hours.
• Work for several different call center outsource companies to increase earnings.
• Learn how to write online in between calls to make more money online! (see resource section)
• Don't give up if it is hard at first! All hard work brings a profit is the old proverb. Setting up a call center at home is no different. Set it up well, and commit the time and your budget will be glad you did.

Resources

• Ooma Core VoIP Phone System with No Monthly Phone Service Bills
• Logitech Clear Chat Headset $20
• Belkin Wi-Fi Skype Phone, Get free from your computer!
• Skype Friendly Bluetooth Adapter
• Earn More Money in Between Calls Writing for Ehow, Guaranteed
• Acer Aspire One AOA110-1588 8.9-Inch Netbook - Sapphire Blue, $238!!
• Boss Black Fabric Deluxe Posture Chair Black, 50% Off Retail

[ezyas123]

on 5/14/2009 Good article on How to Set Up a Work-At-Home Call Center

[dorigillman]

on 4/3/2009 good ideas and nicely done.

[penname]

on 4/2/2009 How to set up a Work-at-Home Call Center--Thanks for this article. There are so many opportunities out there! I will definitely check out the links you provided. 5*

[athome]

on 4/2/2009 Great article on setting up a work at home call center, will you write on how to put the name in your article as the link? thanks 5

[chevee]

on 4/2/2009 Very good article.