Much is made by realtors about the importance of location. But is this equally true for gift basket businesses?

Most gift basket businesses are home-based. Your first job is make sure your home-based business is legal and acceptable in your city.

The business license department located in your civic center can answer this question easily. In some cities it has to do with the size and nature of your business. In many cities, you must be in a certain zone. In other cities it’s not allowed at all.

Once you’ve verified that your business can operate within your home, the second concern is your comfort level and ease of use.

The IRS will only acknowledge your home office if it’s a dedicated space. So find a space or add room to your home that will be devoted just to the operation of your business. Your office must be functional and fit in with the lifestyle of your family. Check out the creative home office spaces on the blog 2 Minute Commute.
If you already have a home-based gift basket studio, but want to organize it for effective use, get help from the narrated photo story Gift Basket Design Studio Exteme Makeover that shows you step by step how to remake your studio.

If your city doesn’t allow home-based gift basket businesses, you’ll need to seek retail, industrial or shared space.

A retail space in a busy location is best if you plan to target the walk-in consumer. Ample walk-around space with attractive displays will be critical. You will still need, however, storage and assembly space probably hidden from public view.

Some gift basket designers opt for industrial space where they can store and assemble designs, but with no plan to invite walk-in traffic. These owners show their wares at the offices of their clients and take orders by phone and the Internet.

Finally, there may be another retail business who will sublease, share, or partner with you. A gift basket center within a florist shop, a gift shop, wine store or gourmet food shop can be convenient for the customer, beneficial for the other retailer (who now gives customers another reason to come into his store,) and profitable for you.

Some Mary Kay directors, for example, split the rent on an office/meeting facility where several of them can meet clients and have meetings with their sales team.

In Denver, the Hive, is a shared facility concept that is desirable for many startups.

No matter where your gift basket business is located, however, you will still need to market and promote yourself on and off the Internet. Occasionally I hear from small town gift basket designers wondering if there is any chance for them to succeed.

Success is within reach whether you are located in a small or large town. Finding the right customers wherever they are on the planet, marketing your business, and promoting yourself well are the key steps that ensure success.

The increased use of the Internet as a shopping source has now closed the gap between gift basket businesses and potential customers, no matter where you are located. So, while location is certainly a factor it is not as critical as it once was.