Virtual office spaces might sound like some futuristic, Orwellian work system where an army of systematic worker drones engage in office work from the comfort of their homes, but that’s not it at all. In fact, virtual offices are actual quite physical in nature ironically enough. They are brick-and-mortar office space rentals that business owners and entrepreneurs can use part-time for the occasional meeting and have business mail and packages sent to. Even many of the biggest corporations in the world got their start from humble beginnings like a small apartment or cramped basement. Here are three reasons virtual offices make for a great stepping stone between expanding to an entire office space for rent and constricting your businesses potential ceiling.
1.) Affordable: One of the biggest factors for any small business or startup is of course money. Most of the time they don’t have a whole lot of it starting out. Defined as businesses that employ less than 500 people, there are currently about 28 million in the U.S., according to the Small Business Association. Considering 80% of the cost of spaces is operational and lease, virtual office space is one of the most cost-effective solutions for a growing company’s needs.
2.) Professional: You can have the best product or service in the world, but sometimes appearance is everything. If potential customers or partners don’t have trust in what you’re doing it will be impossible to succeed. This type of office space comes with a receptionist to answer and forward calls, a legitimate business mailing address, and usage of real office space. Instead of inviting them into your one bedroom apartment, these locations provide occasional access to a full-furnished office or group meeting room for that big business deal you’ve been waiting to have.
3.) Versatile: Another important aspect of virtual office space is the fact that many providers offer centers and offices across not only the U.S., but entire world. You can travel across the country and have a professional place to host meetings, sales pitches, and whatever else you happens to come up while traveling on business.
If you’re a new or small business looking to grow and expand, but don’t quite need the permanency of a leased office, virtual office space is the perfect in between option.