Moving to a new location is an amazing prospect for any business. It usually denotes a position of progress and expansion, as well as a new chapter in the company’s history. The issue is that it is also a very stressful activity. Indeed, it is thought that moving to new premises is one of the most difficult things a manager must organize.

It is no surprise, then, that many businesses – up to three-quarters – put off moving as long as humanly possible, preferring to remain in inadequate and unsatisfactory spaces.

If you are in the midst of or about to begin an office relocation, it is critical to keep business disruption to a bare minimum. No customers mean no business. There will be no money if there are no customers. Without money, there is no business, and that fancy new office space may become obsolete very soon. It must be quick and efficient, which means that every step must be carefully orchestrated.

Here are some pointers to make the process go as smoothly as possible for you, your staff, and your customers.

Don’t overlook additional costs when it comes to creating a budget

Aside from the rental or acquiring costs and fees associated with your new location, there are other costs to consider and budget for. If you don’t, you could be in for some uncomfortable and costly surprises. There are costs associated with the removal, for example, especially if you have a large amount of furniture and equipment. Overtime pay or paying for additional staff to assist with moving and unpacking, the costs of transport, parking permits in city centers, Steel Storage Container Rentals, and so on are also considerations.

Make sure your IT systems are ready to go as soon as possible

Your IT systems are likely to be a critical component of how your business operates, so ensure that they are ready to go. It will most likely be one of the last things packed and one of the first things set up. Are you staying with your current service providers or taking advantage of the opportunity to switch? In any case, make sure they are aware of the date you are moving so that you can be back online and up and running as soon as possible.

Tell everyone about your move

Effective communication is critical to the success of the relocation project. It’s essential to have a plan in place to spread the word about your relocation. You can notify your customers, suppliers, renters, and other interested parties in a variety of ways, including:

• Social media posts
• Including it as a ‘P.S.’ in your email signature
• On your website, you could post a notice or a banner.
• Email marketing and direct mail campaigns
• invoices with new business cards stapled

Remember to change your address on social media, your website, Google listings, and your office stationery.

An office relocation can be hard and exhausting for everyone involved, but in the vast majority of cases, it is well worth it. It will be much easier if you plan ahead of time and remember to communicate.