12 Ways Startups Can Benefit From Virtual Offices

Posted on Jul 13 2013 - 9:43am by Aruna Ram

The emergence of the virtual office has really changed the business landscape for the better. No longer do startups have to invest heavily to establish an official business presence. Now, with minimum investment, it is possible to have a cool corporate image via a virtual office.

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1. A Prestigious Office Address

Whether you actually sit in the office or not, having a prestigious office address at a prime and/or upscale location adds to your company’s prestige. Customers and clients will understand that you’re serious, which increases their confidence level in your business.

2.  Access To Professional Services

Virtual offices provide with access to professional phone answering and reception services and you don’t even have to purchase an actual office space. Your calls can be handled, managed and routed, and you’ll have access to conference space and meeting rooms.

3. Major Savings

Don’t even think about this one – there is no comparison between renting a virtual office and putting up own office space. Imagine the money you’re saving on physical infrastructures, rent, maintenance fees, business services, hiring employees – virtual offices can save you tons of money.

4. Increased Efficiency And Productivity

Partnering with a professionally run virtual office provider gives you access to professional secretarial and business staff. They are trained to handle client telecommunications, reception duty and correspondence management. You can free yourself from these duties and focus on core business aspects.

5. Lower Risk

Startups are a risky business. There’s more money going out than coming in. Depending on the economic circumstances and the demand for your offerings, your business may or may not succeed. Given that, opting for a virtual office lowers your risk of insolvency.

6. Potential For Diversification

Imagine your company wants to implement new changes or expand its business scope. You might want to go global and open offices in other countries. Virtual offices provide a way to do this without much upfront investment, and at low risk. You can safely diversify your business or even enter a new market segment without worry.

7. Pay-as-you-need Services

Startups can avail of conference rooms and meeting rooms and hot desks on a pay-as-you-need basis. This way, they save money on the infrastructure, while leveraging these very essential client-meeting facilities. Having access to such professional services increases productivity, and creates an ambiance of professionalism.

8. No Upfront Investment

Money is always dear to a startup. Virtual offices don’t need any upfront investment – just a deposit while signing the lease. You can take a short or long term lease, and can choose to pay either monthly, biannually or yearly. This depends on the package that you choose.

9. You Don’t Need To Be There

A virtual office is designed in such a way that it can handle your calls, email, and your day-to-day dealings with clients. The staff is trained to do all this whether you’re there or not. You can remotely manage them and obtain updates via the net, and use your own time to travel, meet new clients and other matters.

10. You Can Go Global

A few years ago, no startup could even dream of going global. Now it is possible. You can open up offshore virtual offices in literally every developed country, and in some developing countries. In this way, you can setup your official business presence in other countries, and do business in those countries too. You don’t have to be present physically in other countries – the virtual office will handle your needs for you.

11. Tax Deductibility

Offshore virtual offices are tax deductible, so it’s a great way to save more money and still expand your business. Use this option to spread your wings further and take your business global. Print letterheads and business cards using offshore addresses to rope in more clients, knowing you can do it legitimately – the IRS won’t shoot you for it.

12. Employees Can Work From Home

Since your virtual office can manage itself, and you don’t have to be there except to meet clients, you and your employees can work from home. Imagine the amount of time and money you’ll save by doing that! No more commuting via heavy traffic or being snowed in and unable to make it to the office. You can stay connected via the internet, and remotely manage your business affairs at the virtual office while working from home.

Photo Credit: Flickr/Vernon Chan

About the Author

Aruna Ram works as an expert freelance content strategist and writer for CEO Suite , leading provider of fully-furnished serviced offices in Asia.