Are you thinking of setting up your own business, but don’t want to commit to renting or buying office space? A virtual office package may be the perfect solution for you! In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of buying a virtual office package.
Pros:
- Cost savings – Because you don’t need to rent or buy physical space for your business, you can save considerable amounts of money on overhead costs like utilities, maintenance, and equipment. For example, if you work from home using just a computer and internet connection, you’ll be able to keep your expenses down and more easily manage your budget.
- Less overhead – Having a virtual office frees you from many of the hassles that come with running a business in physical space, such as managing employees and dealing with day-to-day disruptions like noisy construction or traffic jams downtown. You can focus on what’s important for your company instead of getting bogged down by these details.
- Flexibility – With a virtual office, you have much greater flexibility when it comes to choosing where, when, and how you work. You can choose to work from home one day and an office or coworking space the next, allowing for maximum customization based on your needs at any given time.
- Professional appearance – Using a virtual office makes your company appear larger and more established than it might otherwise, giving you an edge over competitors. Even if all you’re doing is using mail forwarding services and meeting clients in a rented conference room, your company will have the look of being well-established and successful, increasing credibility with potential partners and investors.
- Access to additional services – When you buy a virtual office package, many providers offer additional services that can help make running your business easier, such as meeting rooms, print/copy centers, receptionists or call centers, web hosting, IT support systems and developers, legal counsel or other experts on retainer, marketing consultants or graphic designers—the list goes on and on. Depending on your needs, you can choose the services that most benefit your company and hire them as needed.
Cons:
- Limited personal contact – Because you’re not going into an actual office every day and speaking with coworkers or clients in person, it’s important to find ways to maintain a personal connection even if you work remotely. For example, keep in regular touch with colleagues using communication tools like video conferencing or instant messaging apps so that you feel less isolated from the rest of your team. If possible, meet face-to-face with clients and partners at least once or twice per year to maintain those relationships.
- Lack of direct control – When you’re not in your own office, it can be hard to maintain full control over the environment and resources that are available to you. For example, if there are problems with internet access or printers at a coworking space where you work occasionally, it can be difficult to fix them quickly without bringing in outside help or waiting for someone else to address the issue for you. It’s important to plan ahead and look into backup solutions such as investing in your own equipment or setting up an alternative location for times when things aren’t working smoothly elsewhere.
- Limited privacy – If you meet clients regularly at a co-working space or shared office building, they might have access to common areas or lounge spaces and could potentially see you working on confidential documents. You’ll need to be careful about what information you share in these public settings, keeping sensitive data behind closed doors whenever possible, to avoid security breaches that would hurt your business.
- Contracts with hidden fees – Some virtual office providers charge hidden fees for features like call forwarding or message taking that aren’t clearly laid out in the contract, which can lead to unexpected costs if you’re not vigilant about monitoring your account usage. Before signing a contract with any provider, be sure to go over every detail carefully and ask questions until everything is clear so that you know exactly what services are included in the package and at what cost.
- Lack of focus/concentration – When you’re not at your own office, it can be more difficult to focus on work and get into the right mental zone for productivity. If this becomes a problem for you, try to find ways to make yourself comfortable in shared settings like using noise-canceling headphones or working during off-peak hours when there are fewer people around. Also consider setting up routine reminders that keep distractions out of sight and out of mind so that they don’t affect your ability to do good work while away from home.
By buying a virtual office package, small business owners can enjoy many benefits ranging from increased credibility in the eyes of partners and investors to access to additional services that will make running their companies easier. However, it’s important to think carefully about the pros and cons of this choice before selecting a provider and signing up for a contract. By considering these factors, your business will be more likely to succeed no matter where you choose to work.
Are You Ready to Find Your New Virtual Office for Your Business?
Victory Workspace has been serving professionals in the Walnut Creek, California area for over ten years, and even after the Covid 19 Shelter in Place is over we are here for you. We offer Virtual Offices, a large variety of coworking spaces, short-term office rentals, meeting rooms, and even a welcoming event space with plenty of free parking for you or your guests. All that while providing our clients with daily opportunities to network with other business-minded professionals just like you! To learn more, set up your free tour or inquire about which one of our services might be right for you, reach out to one of our amazing Community Guides at Victory Workspace for more information.
Leave a Reply