Remote employment is a growing trend in America, as well as across the globe. With the majority of workers expecting remote work arrangements in their careers, it makes sense for small businesses to adapt to attract top talent. If you are thinking about hiring a remote team for your own small business or allowing current employees to telecommute, there are a few things you need to figure out to meet your current and future business goals.

Will you use freelancers to fill out your remote team?

For small business owners looking to hire those initial helpers, freelancers may be a solid choice. With freelance work becoming more popular, you can easily find a freelance worker to help out with pretty much any task your small business needs to succeed. Using a freelance job board, small business owners and hiring managers can build a remote team of freelancers offering help with design, writing, web development, accounting, sales, administrative work, and any other niche or specialty project. Working with contract and freelance employees can also be a good way to filter candidates who may evolve into full-time staff members. While most contractors work as freelancers, a contract employee will typically stay on with your small business for a longer period of time, which can be useful for more involved projects. Be sure to discuss project completion timeframes, and compensation so that your freelance hires have a better idea of what to expect from this flexible, remote employment arrangement.

Are you familiar with current labor and employment laws?

Being able to answer this question with confidence can prevent legal headaches for any business looking to hire new employees. So, regardless of whether you choose to hire freelancers or full-time workers, make sure you research labor laws that govern your interactions with these teams and individuals; this includes pertinent employment regulations and laws, such as the Family Medical Leave Act, the Equal Pay Act, worker’s compensation, employment taxes, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. While you are doing your homework, also look into state employment laws that may affect your small business, especially since many states have different regulations around compensation, minimum wages, employee benefits and hiring practices. Being aware of these regulations, guidelines and laws can keep your business out of trouble. Employee lawsuits, regardless of whether your business wins, can put a huge dent in your budget. So, make sure you know which laws apply to your business and make sure your management practices clearly follow those laws.

Can remote localization services boost your small business?

Chances are, you need to hire a team of remote workers in order to boost an aspect of profitability for your small business. You may be thinking of hiring a web developer to create a custom website, or you may be on the hunt for a social media marketer who can assist with your marketing plan. However, if you are not thinking about localization benefits, you may be missing out on some serious profit potentials. Localization refers to the adaptation of communications to fit specific languages, cultures and geographic areas, all of which can greatly enhance visibility for businesses of all sizes. With localization, you can tap into broader customer bases from across the globe. If you need help with translations or other localization tasks, turning to freelance or remote workers can be a perfect solution since you can expand your search for candidates beyond your local job market. This can be extremely helpful when translation and localization services are unavailable in your area.

Adapting your small business to operate with remote employees is a savvy move. Not only will you be making your business competitive with others, but you can also create the potential for fewer overhead and office expenses for your small business operations. Plus, you can easily access a pool of talent that can exceed that of your local job market. Really, the benefits of creating a remote team are endless, and the potential for profits can help your business as well.