Renting an office in a prestigious part of a big city is most likely out of the question for most start-ups and small businesses. Early in the lifecycle of your business, finances will be tight and you need to be careful about every expense. Sinking your budget into a flashy office in a central location is hard to justify, because it’s massively expensive and for much of your daily activity you don’t really need it.
That said, you need to be able to display an air of professionalism and a random address in the suburbs won’t really cut it. So, a virtual office address at a much smaller cost is the ideal answer. A virtual office address in a central city location means you still get all the kudos at a fraction of the cost, reassuring potential customers that you’re a serious, professional proposition and making them more willing to do business with you.
Virtual offices are flexible and cost-effective
Flexibility is a key benefit too. According to one survey from 2019 40% of remote workers consider their flexible schedule to be the biggest benefit of working remotely. Just behind it on the list is the ability to work from any location. Virtual office solutions mean you get a valuable work address, without being physically tied to that location at all times.
The reduction in administrative costs is also a big plus. In any lean business, recruitment costs will be focused on hiring specialists to help growth, rather than on employing admin staff. But that leaves a hole in the company’s day-to-day running. The dedicated assistance that a virtual office receptionist can provide means the gap is covered, so you get help in managing office logistics, without the hefty bill to go with it.
Is a virtual office right for my business?
But is a virtual office right for you? Of course there’s no one-size-fits-all and overlaying the benefits of a virtual office on the specific needs of your business and your customers is something you’ll need to pay close attention to. That said, setting up virtual headquarters can pay dividends for businesses of all sizes.
Agile startups
When a business is finding its feet and profits haven’t yet started to roll in, a virtual business address is ideal. Without lengthy contracts or a hefty monthly bill, you’ll be able to benefit from an established address without the financial strain. More about registered office
Contractors and consultants
Despite attracting healthy fees and interest from major corporations, many contractors and consultants work from home, rather than having a central office. But not having a city address could make potential clients think twice.
A virtual office will provide reassurance for customers, without forcing the contractor or consultant out of a proven and practical way of working.