Setting up a home based business might sound like a fantastic idea at the outset, no boss to worry about, no morning panic and commuting miseries, no more traffic jams and road rage and best of all the flexibility to do what you want when you want. Sounds like a dream come true, however if you do not discipline yourself to work conscientiously you will not make any money!There are many articles and informative websites on setting up home based businesses, but what they fail to enlighten you about is the things you need to avoid doing to be successful. Read this article to find out what steps you need to take to make your business flourish.When you are deciding what business to set up from your home, you need to consider the possibility of having employees work out of your home. Do you have enough space for this to be possible? What about employee insurance and workers compensation coverage? You will also be taking a huge risk letting strangers into your home so prospective candidates will need to be very carefully screened. If you have to employ people for your business try to get people who come highly recommended, run credit checks, police checks and reference checks to make doubly sure.Do not entertain the thought of making do with your existing telephone for business. One phone call from a friend can tie up the line for ages and ruin good business opportunities. Moreover, until people realize and accept that you are running a business the tendency to call and chat will be strong, simply because you are at home. Invest in a good telephone system and phone service. Give your business that professional touch with a good system.Bringing clients to your home for business meetings is really not a very professional approach, unless the room you have set up as an office has a separate entrance to it. You wouldn’t want your client to see your home with the toys and clothes strewn all over the place! Use the local coffee shop for your business meetings; it will be a lot better than inviting them to your home. Find a coffee shop that has an internet connection, most of them do and you can be on line and very professional at your meeting.Take your business seriously and do not mix home and office. Set your self work timings and take a dedicated approach to building your business. If you need coffee, install a coffee machine in your office, don’t wander into the kitchen, you will be tempted to do a few dishes or start tidying up!