What Is A Virtual Office?
The phrase ‘virtual office’ is a bit of a buzzword at the moment, and with more people finding themselves working from home, the demand has increased. What actually is a virtual office though, and what can you expect when you sign up to one? Let’s dive straight in.
A virtual office is a service that enables business owners to work remotely from the comfort of their own home. It allows for companies or individuals the have the appearance of having a staffed office or even multiple offices in various locations, without having the overheads of high office rental rates and staffing.
Essentially, you can work from home but have a virtual office in London (or any location you choose). It enables you to access all the benefits of a physical office, but without the rent, space or desks. Believe it or not, the idea originated way back in 1994!
What Does a Virtual Office Provide?
Some of the services that a virtual office enable businesses to have include:
- A business postal address – this helps businesses to look more prestigious than they might be if they used their real, personal address.
- Postage service – it isn’t always easy to make sure you are at home at a specific time for that all-important package. By having a virtual office this can be taken care of for you.
- Phone answering service – this is a great way to manage your incoming calls. It is also much safer than handing out your personal mobile number to potential clients.
The Benefits of a Virtual Office
There are lots of different packages that you can choose from, so you can tailor your virtual office to your exact needs. Here are just some of the benefits of having these virtual services:
Professionalism
Having a proper business address helps to give a great first impression for your business and adds a sense of trust too.
Affordability
This is the main attraction for many entrepreneurs, the cost. A small monthly fee is much more affordable than renting an office or even co-working space.
Flexibility
Having a virtual office means you are not tied down to one location. It is a great way to expand your business into other geographical areas. You are also completely free to choose your own working hours, rather than being stuck with the traditional 9-5 when a physical office is open.
Virtual offices aren’t just for small businesses, you can also use one to manage a team of remote workers. The ability to work flexibly, in a location you want is extremely beneficial. It can help you attract a more talented workforce. Remember if you are based in several different areas with your virtual offices you can also recruit talent from a much wider area.
Productivity
A virtual office also means no more commuting. Gone are the days of travelling an hour to and from your workplace every day. You can spend the time in bed instead (or start the working day earlier)! Overall, it will mean that you can spend more hours working on your business.
Of course, working from home does have disadvantages – more distractions and possibly a noisier environment with the children running around. A small compromise for all of the other advantages though.
How Do I Get A Virtual Office?
We hope that has helped to explain exactly what a virtual office is, and the benefits of having one. Here at Venture Offices, we have a range of different packages to suit your individual requirements from as little as £10 a month, so please contact us today for further assistance.
