The Franchise Show 2012 at Excel, London
Whether you are just simply considering a change of direction or whether you already have your heart set on starting up a franchise business, the Franchise Show 2012 at ExCel, London will be the place to be on the 24th-25th February.
The Franchise Show is a key event for anyone considering a future in franchising as a place to find out about over 100 different franchise systems ranging from home-based and part time to master franchises all under one roof.
As an attendee, you will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the packed programme of over 70 seminars from industry experts to well-known UK entrepreneurs.
Attendance is completely FREE, so if you don’t yet have your tickets…. click here to get some.
Select Your Franchise will also be present at the Franchise Show for the 3rd year running – come see us on Stand 619.
Could now be the time to start up an Online Franchise Business?
Nick Strong, MD - Select Your Franchise
With online shopping on the rise and an ever-increasing amount of people looking to the Internet as their first port of call for buying goods and services, online business opportunities are part of a fast growing market. Even for individuals that don’t in fact buy online, the world wide web is becoming a popular destination for individuals to research their options ahead of making a buying decision.
If you take into account the non-geographical nature of online business along with the extensive range of products and services that lend themselves to being traded online, its apparent that internet franchises carry a promising future.
An online franchise business is potentially a very attractive start up option as many of them can be operated from a home office with no real need for commercial office or premises, which in turn keeps operating costs down. The flexibility that this provides, forms an additional part of the attraction in that a web store can be open all day, every day. This means your door is open 24/7 for guests and potential customers even if it is not humanly staffed, as opposed to a conventional business that requires constant staffing at any time that the store of business is open for trading.
A number of the online franchises presently available fall into categories such as:-
Local Community Directory Service Franchise business
These local business, website based franchises are an excellent resource for local communities to learn about businesses and services available in their area. The inspiration behind this kind of business is to sell the directory to local area businesses, offering them Internet-based promotional exposure to their local community.
Web Design and Marketing Franchises
These franchises are based around providing of web site design and marketing services typically to other businesses. The concept of this franchise opportunity is to make available a portfolio of website design & marketing options to probable buyers. In general, minimal technical skill is required by the franchisee as they basically resell services that are sourced and/or made available by the franchisor themselves.
Researching your Online Franchise Options
In common with any other business venture, its sensible to do your research prior to investing in an online franchise. Put aside time to look at your strengths and weaknesses and consider options which match you and the kind of activities you take pleasure in doing.
Finance will also be a big consideration so put aside time to explore funding options with your bank. Make sure you have a chance to visit the franchisor and to look at their setup. It’s also important to have an opportunity to talk to a variety of their franchisees to pick up their views in relation to how the franchise opportunity performs for them day-to-day.
Be sure you also take legal advice as there will be legal contracts involved in starting up a franchise business and its wise to be appropriately informed and aware of what you are signing up to. When you have completed your choice, commit yourself to following the franchise system and making the franchise system work for you.
Tags: franchise opportunities, franchises, internet franchise, nick strong, online franchise, web based franchise
Starting up a Domestic Services Franchise Business
Joel Caws - Technical Director, Select Your Franchise
A domestic services franchise can be a great business start up option, especially when you consider that the services provided are often based on necessities for pretty much any home owner.
With over 25 million homes in the UK, and 7 out of 10 being owner occupied, thats over 175 million potential customers in the UK for anyone in business providing domestic services. A fair sized market by any standards.
There are many different types of franchise business aimed at providing domestic services:-
Domestic Cleaning Franchise businesses
The need for cleaning never ends! And for those ‘cash rich, time poor’ families, having someone to do the job of keeping the house clean is an attractive option. But that’s not all – there are also franchises which cater for more specialised services such as carpet and upholstery cleaning – another job which many prefer to pay to have done.
Handyman Franchises
For those not all that enthusiastic about DIY, fixing that loose door hinge, that persistently leaking pipe, that broken fence, can all seem like too daunting a task. Finding a handyman is usually the first port of call for such people and so a franchise business in this area means you have a wide variety of different manual labour based jobs to take on.
Kitchen Based Services
Sprucing up your kitchen by replacing the doors has become very popular in recent years, since it alleviates the need for a total ktichen refit, but also gives it a new lease of life. Oven cleaning is another popular domestic services franchise business option to meet the needs of those who do not wish to undertake the job themselves.
Other Domestic Service options
There are many other different domestic service franchise businesses available from gas and electrical servicing, to chimney sweeping, to disaster restoration services.
Of course, whatever option you decide you will need to make your choices carefully. Do your research properly to ensure you know all you can about the franchise business you are considering. Meet with the franchisor and also make sure you have the opportunity to speak to some of their existing franchisees. They have walked the path you are taking and can offer you real feedback on how the franchise performs and what to expect.
There are plenty of options for advice when it comes to choosing a franchise opportunity such as online franchise directories for research, franchise associations, franchise consultants and other industry professionals.
Ultimately, you will be responsible for making your new business a success so be prepared to stick to the proven franchise system and to work hard at it.
Tags: domestic services franchises, franchise opportunities, franchises, franchises for sale, joel caws
