9 Expert Technology Tips That Make Working From Home Easier

by Brett Harper

The number of people who work from home has increased by 173% since 2005. As telecommuters’ rate increases every year, the need for a better home office increases, too.

Home Easier

From a strong internet connection to gadgets that improve productivity, there are plenty of ways to increase the quality of your work-from-home experience. Take a look at these nine information technology tips and improve your telecommute lifestyle.

  1. Get Quality Video Calls

One of the main ways telecommuters communicate with their fellow employees is via video calls. But video call quality is dependent on several factors, like internet connection strength and camera quality.

Be sure to invest in a good-quality camera for video calls. The difference is reflected in your visual and audio quality, so sacrificing these two factors will make video calls a frustrating experience.

Also, make sure you update your internet package to something that sustains your workload. This is especially important for telecommuters who need to use the internet for their job and make several video calls a day.

  1. Use Internal Communication Software

Being away from a normal office may feel isolated due to a lack of in-person communication. Luckily, internal communication software helps alleviate some of this isolation by allowing employees to communicate digitally.

This software is simple to download and allows companies to organize employee groups and departments into channels, so project-specific communication doesn’t get drowned out among other conversations. Employees can even message co-workers and managers directly for private conversations.

  1. Install a VPN

If your company issues you a laptop or phone, they are within their rights to track what you do on these devices. Plus, without proper security, your computer is at risk from cybersecurity attacks.

For most people, a lack of digital security is distressing for those who work in the comfort of their own homes. To sidestep this privacy invasion, consider installing a virtual private network (VPN) on your devices.

Installing a VPN is easy; it takes a few simple steps and only a moment of your time: https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-setup-vpn-on-mac Once you install a VPN, you’ll feel better knowing your every cyber move isn’t getting tracked or potentially exploited.

  1. Use Blue Light Filters

Blue light emission from tech devices tends to cause eye strain and sleep disruption. The less you expose your eyes to blue light, the better. However, 9-5 telecommuters often can’t avoid staring at a computer all day.

Many devices offer built-in features that reduce the amount of blue light intensity. One helpful solution involves setting up blue-light filters on your device. This setting gives your devices a yellow tint that is much easier on the eyes.

  1. Make File Sharing Easier

If you’re in a work-from-home environment, you need a way to access work files from your home computer. A storage system is a great way for you and your co-workers to upload and share files easily.

A file-sharing system is also a great way for companies to uphold transparency and ensure everyone has access to the files they need. Projects, brand images, and company information can all stay organized in one place for easy access.

  1. Improve Your Internet

Your WI-FI is the most important part of your work-from-home setup. A bad WI-FI connection negatively impacts your video call quality and productivity.

Before committing to a telecommuting role, it’s vital to upgrade your WI-FI network with a package that will sustain your increased internet usage.

Good WI-FI is essential if you have multiple people using the internet in your home. The more your WI-FI can handle, the more likely you won’t experience work interruptions.

  1. Get Helpful Accessories and Gadgets

At a minimum, working from home requires an internet connection and a computer. But there are various tools you can get that will help make your telecommuting experience more comfortable.

Depending on your job, you may benefit from gadgets that don’t come equipped with a normal laptop. For example, accountants may want to get an external number pad, making punching numbers into Excel much easier.

A computer mouse, noise-canceling headphones, and a second computer monitor positively affect productivity rates. Plus, a few extra charging cords and batteries are good to have on-hand if you need them.

  1. Take Advantage of Company Perks

Your company may provide benefits and perks for telecommuters. Before you spend your own money upgrading the tech in your home office, reach out to human resources, and ask if they offer these items for free. In some cases, companies reimburse home tech costs, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Don’t forget to reach out to your company’s information technology department if you have any questions or concerns. For example, if your work laptop suddenly stops working, your company’s IT department should handle the situation, not you.

IT workers are also there for you in case you have tech-related questions. They can even access your computer remotely to install software or fix issues.

  1. Set Boundaries

Working from home often blends your work life with your personal life. To avoid this, it’s vital to create a separate workspace for yourself and make it easy to escape when needed.

The best way to do this is to make your office separate from your personal space. In most cases, this means converting a bedroom or den into a dedicated office space. Once you finish your work for the day, leave the room, and close the door until your workday starts again.

If you can’t create a separate workspace, consider turning off all of your work devices as soon as you finish your work for the day. This means completely shutting down your computer, phone, and any other tech device you use.

Technology Tips for a Better WFH Experience

Adjusting your home to match your previous high-tech office environment is a lengthy process. But with these nine technology tips and tricks, your home will be comparable, if not even better, than your office’s tech—all without the pesky commute.

If you’re still searching for tech tips, look no further. Please look at the rest of our blog and check out our posts about SEO, keyword research, and more.

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