When you have a great idea, and you're trying to get your business off the ground, often your first office ends up being at the kitchen table. In order to develop an office setup that can accommodate your needs as your business grows, there are a number of things you should consider.

Ultimately, careful office space planning will keep you organized and help you minimize the chaos that comes with starting a business.

The right office setup will enable you to stay focused on what's important: wow-ing your customers, making sales, and building your business. Microsoft office setup can help you plan and organize your office, whether it's a home office setup or your business has its own location.

Let's get started with the first section.

Find office space

Find Office Space

Finding office space to run your business can be a challenge. The size of your business, budget, number of employees, business needs, location and much more are all factors of what kind of office space is best suited for starting a business or expanding a business. Whether you are looking to rent office space, buy office space or make a home office, Microsoft Startup Center can help.

Buy or Lease Office Furniture and Equipment

Stay comfortable, organized and ultimately productive in the office. It is important to find the right office furniture to meet both comfort and size for the available office space. Office furniture and office equipment can be bought new, used, or even leased. Once you find the right office equipment, use Microsoft Office Visio 2007 to build a diagram of your office space and see where the office equipment best fits.

Stock up on New Office Supplies

Don't run out of the office supplies required to run an efficient business. Use the office supply checklist for new business for suggestions on the common office supplies for new businesses. Stock up on new office supplies, but don't make your office a supply closet. Buy office supplies your business uses as well as the accurate amount.

Choose a Computer for Business

Choosing a business computer is based around the structure and requirements of your business. Factors like online sales, size, industry, employees, security and much more are all taken into account when looking to buy a business computer. Let Computer Assessment Wizard's help find the right business computer to meet your needs and run your business more efficiently.

Get Your Business Connected

Once you have your business computer, connect it to a small business phone system, internet, fax machines and office printers. Use Microsoft Response Point phone system software to make your startup look professional business.

Select Software Solutions

Choosing the right small business software can keep your business running smoothly and efficiently. The Microsoft Small Business Center provides an interactive Product Advisor tool that can help you identify the types of business software solutions to get your business tasks accomplished in an easier way, giving more time for other important tasks. Microsoft Office business accounting software, online business software, small business software and other types of business software are all available to simplify your everyday business tasks.

Protect Your Computer

Computer security and protection is vital to your business. Learn about business computer security for small businesses, including PC Protection, Operating Systems, office applications, security software, and data protection. Microsoft's seven easy-to-follow steps can simplify business computer security.

Set Up a Small Business Shipping Account

Start your business with satisfied customers and clients; get their shipments to them faster while making it easier for you and your employees to ship the products and documents. Set up a new business shipping account with FedEx to easily ship your packages. Track shipments, get rates, schedule pickups and more in Microsoft Office Outlook.

Find Small Business Technical Support

With so many businesses relying on computers, technical support is needed more often than not. Find technical support for your new business computers and network with Microsoft's Small Business Specialist. IT support offers the help your business requires when a technical situation occurs.