When you think of an office setup, your mind is almost certainly drawn to either the classic cubicle arrangement of old or the open plan layout that is so common to many modern collaborative workspaces today.
Unfortunately, one thing that hasn’t changed over time is the price of office spaces. Simply put, they’re expensive, and not every business can afford them – especially if you’re a brand-new start-up.
However, there is good news on this front, news that comes in the form of virtual offices.
A service designed for entrepreneurs and companies that need a collaborative space to work while saving money, virtual offices bring all of the benefits of an actual office, but without a physical address.
Skeptical, we don’t blame you, after all, they’re a very new concept. But we’re hoping our piece on the topic might change your mind.
Keep reading to learn what a virtual office really is, how they work, their costs, and the virtual office benefits you could be making use of instead of spending money on monthly office rent.
What are virtual offices?
In simple terms, a virtual office is exactly that, an office that exists in a virtual or non-traditional office space rather than at a fixed physical location. This service aims to provide all the office-related services you’d expect for both businesses and customers, all from a remote setting.
From hosting internal meetings and dialing in clients to getting together after lunch for that essential brainstorming session, virtual offices enable collaboration between business staff from locations all over the globe without ever needing to travel anywhere.
It’s an easy way to save on the costs of owning a physical office space, especially for companies that don’t require having an office 24/7. Virtual Offices can also offer administrative services like Virtual Receptionists, who can handle your calls and other messages, often even when your business is closed. Keep reading to learn more about how a virtual office works and how it can benefit you!
How does a virtual office work?
Companies that specialize in virtual offices are businesses that offer tailored services that range from virtual receptionists handling your calls and customer service needs to mailing services– both physical and email– for businesses.
In some cases, in spite of the name, virtual office services may even take the form of shared working spaces where individuals can rent out co-working spaces to finish work in an office-like setting.
This provides that sought-after office aesthetic and feeling without the need to pay for permanent premises. In return, these vendors focus on providing entrepreneurs and companies with an efficient way to work in a mostly remote setting.
As a result, this has become an increasingly popular method of supporting business operations in recent years, especially after most day-to-day work had to shift to remote working due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
What are the advantages of a virtual office?
So, you now know what a virtual office is and how they work, but what are some of the main advantages of a virtual office that make it superior to traditional office premises?
1. Improved credibility
One of the key virtual office benefits out there is the fact that it can help boost your business’s credibility. How so you ask? Simple; you don’t have to worry about stretching limited in-house resources or hiring new staff.
Instead, you can outsource various roles to expert companies in these areas, such as letting a live answering team like VoiceNation handle your calls, allowing you to focus on the core of your business.
Customers who contact your company will meet a team of expertly trained individuals who give your business a neatly organized and professional image. Of course, to make sure the service they receive is top-notch, be sure to keep an eye out for these key virtual receptionist qualities.
2. Minimal business costs
Second, virtual offices are an excellent way to cut down on the costs associated with having a physical office space. By moving some of your business needs virtually, you’ll have to spend less on both the upkeep of having an office as well as the need for transportation to get there, which will additionally save you time and stress.
On top of this, hiring talented and knowledgeable employees isn’t confined to geographic conditions when you rely on a virtual office, either, letting you search the whole world for the perfect candidate who comes with all the added benefits of being a remote employee.
3. Added flexibility
Alongside cost reductions, hiring a virtual office company also provides you with more flexibility by allowing experts to handle office and receptionist duties so you can keep your schedule open to focus on the important aspects of your work.
This in turn also allows your business to operate easily outside of normal working hours, making it easier for customers to reach you and for global clients to contact you for any requests they may have.
How much does a virtual office cost?
The cost of operating in a virtual office will naturally vary depending on which company you choose to work with, the types of services you require, and whether or not you’ll be working out of a virtual office location or solely online.
Generally speaking, most US-based virtual offices cost anywhere from $50-$150 per month, though prices will vary extensively depending on the state and the virtual office packages available in your area.
Deliver great customer service with VoiceNation
With all that covered, you should hopefully have a much better idea of what a virtual office is, how they work, and some of the core benefits they can offer businesses and entrepreneurs.
Of course, if you plan to work out of a virtual office, then you’ll need those outsourced experts to complete your customer service operations, which is exactly what we offer at VoiceNation!
From expert virtual receptionists to dedicated live answering services that operate 24/7 call answering, we’ll help make sure you never miss those vital customer calls while helping to enhance your business’s reputation.
Get in touch today to learn more about our services, and price packages, and to learn more about our free trial.