If you have been observing the labor landscape in the last couple of years, surely you have heard about virtual employees who work remotely. But have you encountered a discussion about virtual office space?
What Is A Virtual Office?
A virtual office gives businesses a physical address and office-related services without the overhead of a long lease and administrative staff.
According to Indeed, virtual office services usually offer a communicative and collaborative environment. Any company or individual can use a virtual office as needed, but some virtual offices may require advanced reservations or a lease agreement.
Remote workers may use a virtual office to work on projects or tasks from remote locations outside of the office. Virtual office providers offer great options for companies that have remote workers, companies with low budgets, and small businesses looking for a collaborative space to host meetings.
Elements Of A Virtual Office
Virtual office solutions aim to increase productivity among employees doing remote work. To promote efficiency and accommodate several basic business needs, virtual offices provide several amenities:
- Physical mailing address
Virtual offices typically provide a mailing address businesses can use to send and receive mail.
Like a traditional office, having a business address ensures that your business portrays a credible, professional, and legitimate company image. According to a virtual office provider in England, using a physical business address and office phone number on your business cards, website, and email increases trust in prospects and clients as opposed to seeing a mobile number and home address. Having a virtual office address increases your professionalism and credibility as an enterprise and makes you more approachable.
- Meeting rooms
Virtual offices commonly have conference rooms for business sessions, client conferences, and other corporate events. It is good for business when you can host meetings in conference rooms. You can maintain a professional image with a proper venue for corporate affairs.
Some virtual offices even provide beverages and snacks and use a meeting room. Depending on your specific needs and request, a virtual office can provide outstanding services and support.
- Receptionist services
Like a physical office, front desk, and receptionist services are also available with a virtual office arrangement.
Receptionist services include answering calls on your business phone line, redirecting calls as needed, and receiving packages sent to your virtual office address.
- Software
One goal of a virtual office arrangement is to appear similar to having a physical office space. With a traditional office, employers commonly provide a computer to each staff. In retrospect, virtual offices provide shared computers for businesses. These computers have up-to-date software installed like tools for word processing and graphic designing and programs for videoconferencing services.
- Furniture
Like an actual office, virtual offices have pieces of furniture too. Virtual office allows the shared use of desks, chairs, and large tables for group meetings or limited teleconferencing.
Other small businesses, for example, a design agency, may want to incorporate more creativity into the decor to reflect their brand values in meetings. According to Indeed, business owners should tour various virtual office spaces to learn more about the furniture and what they can bring.
Virtual Office: Benefits And Disadvantages
Benefits Of Virtual Office Space
- Cost-Effective
- Save on maintenance and upkeep costs
- Zero Overheads
- Professionalism
- Reduce commuting costs
- Increase Flexibility of work
- Professional Address
- Furnished office spaces
- Save money on technology, hardware
- Hassle-free expanding or reducing the team
Online-only business models commonly benefit from virtual office services. These enterprises conduct business entirely on the Internet. When online-only business owners experience revenue growth, they eventually desire to expand their brand. One way to appear more professional to potential clients and business partners is to have a physical address. A virtual office provides a business address to businesses that operate outside of the traditional office space.
Using a virtual office is more cost-effective than assembling an office in a physical location. The right virtual office can provide a furnished office, conference chambers, shared computers with updated software, and even administrative support.
Businesses can further save on overhead expenses with virtual offices. An online report mentioned with a virtual office, employers do not need to pay for the monthly cost of laborers, electricians, plumbers, utilities, furniture, equipment, hardware, technology, or any other amenities that only a physical office could ever require.
Another significant benefit of having a virtual office for a small business is having receptionist services. Professional support personnel can perform administrative tasks that can help any business thrive. Virtual offices can offer other and more services depending on the specific needs of a business.
Lastly, business owners hold the freedom and flexibility to expand and reduce their teams without the stress of office space adjustments. All thanks to the benefits provided by a virtual office.
Disadvantages Of A Virtual Office
- Lack of in-person interaction
- Limited availability
- Lack of structure
Even with many advantages, virtual offices have cons too. For example, some virtual offices have restricted access on late nights and weekends.
Moreover, another disadvantage is the lack of in-person interaction just like with any remote working setup. Indeed mentioned the lack of in-person interactions may lead to misunderstandings and a loss of productivity. Without a physical headquarters in a specific location, businesses may lack the structure, allowing employees to have a more relaxed approach to work and possibly decrease their productivity.
Business owners have the responsibility to understand all key factors surrounding virtual offices. They should acknowledge all advantages and disadvantages to determine whether
Reap The Advantages Of Virtual Services
If you believe your business can benefit from having a remote team and a virtual office, get in touch with legit virtual service providers.
Remote Raven provides workforce solutions and handles all processes in the onboarding area of a business. The agency has Filipino Recruitment Specialists with connections to skilled candidates who are capable of performing several tasks like social media marketing, project management, lead generation through website contact forms, and other specific duties depending on your business needs.
When onboarding people to work remotely, it is important to conduct background checks and determine their exact skills and talents. During the vetting process and hiring process, Remote Raven will assist your company every step of the way.
The agency will connect you with qualified Filipino remote service providers who can contribute to your quest to find work-life balance while still staying productive.
Schedule an appointment with Remote Raven now!
###
