The location of your business is a very important decision. The wrong location could jeopardise the success of your business. Points to consider are:

• Do you need to be located close to customers, or are you able to service your clients remotely via the telephone or over the Internet?
  
• Do you need to be located close to suppliers? i.e. consider the delivery costs for raw materials and supplies.
  
• What features must your premises have? i.e. consider size, street frontage, show rooms, parking, loading bays, special facilities.
  
• Do you intend to lease or purchase your premises?
  

A variety of factors will influence your selection of location and premises. Ensure you make a wise decision, keeping in mind the costs and inconvenience of relocating.

Choosing the right location

There are a number of useful contacts to help you determine the best region or suburb for your business.

• The Department's Business Resource Centre can provide industry and market information packages tailored to your particular business type and proposed location. Information packages contain demographic data for at least two suburbs to help you determine whether you are maximising access to your target market, without providing too much competition.
  
  
• Your relevant industry association is a good place to start to obtain further information on your selected industry and to help you determine where opportunities exist.
  
  
• Your local council's website can provide further information on suburbs within your chosen region, or alternatively, you might like to visit your local library or the State Library of Queensland. Visit the Local government directory to find out which council is responsible for your proposed suburb or region.
  
  
• Yellow pages can help you to find out about your competitors and help you to determine the best location for your business.
  
  
• Use the location assessment checklist available from the 7 steps to business success or through Smart Skills to help you assess the merits of your location.

Choosing the right premises

Depending on your business type, you may decide to establish a home-based business. Starting a home-based business can be appealing - lower overheads, less travel time and greater flexibility with balancing work and family life. Improved information and communication systems mean that working from home may be a viable option for many business operators.

Alternatively, your business venture may require a specific type of accommodation such as a serviced office or warehouse. If you take out a lease in a serviced office, you will be able to share office facilities, such as administrative, phone, fax and computer networks, email and cleaning services. Serviced offices are available throughout Queensland by visiting Yellow pages online.

If you require a large amount of storage room you may like to consider leasing or buying a warehouse. In choosing the right warehouse location it's important to look at nearby transportation facilities. For instance, are you able to transport your products easily and cheaply? Is the warehouse in an accessible location and can it cater to the future needs of your company? Contact a commercial real estate agent for information on warehouses in your chosen suburb.

Other assistance

• The Industry location scheme: this scheme ensures Queensland businesses have access to suitably zoned, fully serviced and strategically located land which is accessible to major transport routes. Eligible businesses are able to purchase or lease land at market value through a network of industrial estates throughout Queensland.
  
  
• Technology incubators: if you are entering a start-up business, particularly in the information and technology industry, you may like to consider the option of renting space in a technology incubator. The Queensland Government's technology incubator (i.lab) is situated at Toowong and offers space for between 10 and 15 emerging growth ventures at any one time. 
  
  
• The Retail Shop Leases Registry and Tribunal: to ensure you understand the rules governing Retail Shop Leases.
  
  
• Government Business Information Service (GOBiS): to obtain information on State and Commonwealth Government support services available for Queensland business.

Queensland enjoys a diverse and dynamic economic base and offers many advantages for investors and business migrants.