Modern technology means that many, if most start-ups begin as one person operations from a kitchen table with a laptop.
However, although this is possible, anyone doing this will be able to tell you what they miss out on from having a dedicated office – a reputable address that separates work from home, someone else to answer the phone (and let you get on with your core business) and a space to meet clients in that isn’t your front room.
Thanks to the advent of the virtual office, all these needs can be met, without the expensive overhead of leasing a permanent office.
A Dedicated Work Address
Virtual offices routinely offer an address that can be used separately from your home address, and one that is not in a clearly residential area. This can be used as a registered address with all mail forwarded, offering both the reputability of having a physical address (makes potential clients more trusting) and the anonymity of it not being your home.
Professional Call Handling
Virtual offices often come with virtual receptionists. These are dedicated call centre staff who will answer the phone for you (and forward anything urgent), handling your calls in a professional manner.
This helps give the appearance of an organisation much larger than you are, at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time secretary yourself and with additional efficiency benefits (see below).
Better Time Focus
For many start ups, the job of answering the phone is an onerous one. Before the expense of hiring a receptionist or secretary can be afforded, that job is often doubled up with one more related to your core business. But that reduces the efficiency of that person.
Outsourcing call handling means freeing up whoever’s job it was to answer the phone to concentrate on their main job role.
Cost Savings
The up-shot of this is that time will be used more efficiently by the person who used to answer the phone, generating more income for the company, potentially far outweighing the minimal cost of a virtual receptionist.
Having all the advantages of a dedicated business address and land line number, with the opportunity to hire meeting space also means that the eventual necessity of leasing a permanent office is delayed, perhaps indefinitely.
Virtual offices offer the same appearance of professionalism as a larger organisation, whilst allowing your startup to grow at its own pace – either as a one person business, or a network of individuals working across the globe.
Image credit: mathowie.
13 Comments
To impress your clients I would highly recommend you to hire a professional looking venue; it makes a good impression and can help to divert sales to your business.
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As a small business owner, and having recently purchased a virtual office in London, I really can’t vouch enough for virtual work-space. It’s done wonders for my business, and we’ve actually been able to expand recently because of it.
The competition in my line of business is quite strong, and this has definitely gave us somewhat of an advantage locally. We’re seen to be much bigger than we actually are to potential clients.
I hadn’t heard of virtual offices, but I think I’m in love with the idea now! This really does seem like a useful and innovative way to have some sort of headquarters without the huge cost. A temporary solution, but a good one!
Wow, I never realized how useful virtual offices could be. The convenience and savings make it a great substitute for start-ups! And the idea is really cute too. Everyone should be open to the idea of virtual offices, because it could just be the solution they’re looking for!
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Wow I can’t believe I never thought of a virtual office before. That is seriously a good idea and I’m going to talk to my business partner about us getting one.
Virtual office looks like a pretty good option for start ups with low investment motives. Thanks for this great share.
Seems virtual office is a good choice for those who cannot afford an office during their startup.
Yes, most of the people cannot afford an office during their startup. So, opting for a virtual office is the best idea to overcome this issue.
Virtual offices……Wow i am amazed!!
I guess its one thing most of the new bloggers will prefer but for the one who have employed particular candidates for their work.They may adapt this technique but it will spread unemployment.
With so much competition about these days – something as seemingly insignificant as the business address could really set one apart from another. Professional and reputable is going to give off a far better impression than residential. And yes, hiring a more business-like meeting room is far ore likely to secure a meet-up than one in your front room! Good post
I enjoyed reading the benefits of having a virtual offices. Startups are a little fluctuating in terms of generating funds and maintaining staff. With the virtual offices the costs are so minimized and the salaries and the training that goes into perfecting the in house receptionist is quiet a tormenting task. Having services like the one specified in the post is effective in terms of both cost as well as time.