A virtual office is a business service that enables companies to operate remotely without leasing or owning physical office space.
It offers key features such as a professional business address, mail and package handling, call answering services, and access to meeting rooms or coworking spaces on demand, all for a fraction of the cost as a traditional office space.
As one of the most in-demand flexible workspace solutions, virtual office services have proven to be particularly valuable in major cities where physical office space can be expensive and prefer to run their day-to-day remotely.
Virtual offices help businesses establish a local presence in a prime location, even if their team is distributed elsewhere.
In short, a virtual office combines the benefits of remote work with the professionalism of a physical office without the overhead.
What are The Features of a Virtual Office?
A virtual office includes a business address, mail handling, call answering, and access to meeting rooms. Some services also provide a virtual receptionist, local phone number, and flexible desk or office use. These features help businesses work flexibly, reduce overheads, and maintain a professional presence without committing to a full-time traditional office.
One of the most valuable features offered by most virtual office packages is giving your business a commercially recognized address.
Since virtual offices are usually in a central or prestigious location, a virtual office address gives companies a presence in a respected location, which builds trust with clients and partners and enhances your professional image.
A professional business address also helps protect privacy for business owners who work from home, especially since virtual offices can be registered as your legal address on Companies House.
Communication and mail forwarding services are another key feature. All business mail is received, managed, and forwarded as needed, helping businesses stay organised and responsive, no matter where they work.
At the same time, telephone answering services and voicemail services provide a professional point of contact. A live receptionist can answer calls in the company’s name, screen enquiries, and pass on messages as part of their business phone system. This enhances the company’s image while reducing missed opportunities.
Additional services, like meeting room, conference rooms and virtual office space access, virtual receptionists, local phone numbers, and on-demand office access all give businesses the tools they need to grow, supporting the needs of small businesses trying to establish themselves.
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What are the Benefits of a Virtual Office
Virtual offices help businesses reduce costs, increase flexibility and efficiency, and maintain a professional image, supporting remote teams in their operations. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits.
1.) First impressions count
A recognisable, prestigious business address, which can be used on your website and marketing materials, gives your business instant credibility. A well-known address in a popular business district will also boost your SEO ranking, which is invaluable in increasing traffic to your website.
2.) Keep your home address private
When you register your business, the address used in registration will become publicly available. If you use your residential address, this personal information will be available publicly, which is not advised for privacy reasons. Fortunately, you can easily find a registered office address, with us here.
3.) Reduce overheads and startup costs
A Virtual Office solution removes the costly overheads associated with a full-time physical office. There is no need to rent physical space, buy office equipment and furniture or pay salaries to admin staff, such a secretaries and receptionists. The best business address in one of the most iconic buildings in London becomes affordable with a Virtual Office. Did you know the average desk price in Mayfair is £900 / Month, but you can have a Virtual Office at Servcorp’s One Mayfair Place for only £111 / Month!
4.) Communication
Never miss a vital call again, with a dedicated local phone number and a receptionist to handle your calls as you instruct. Most callers will not leave a voicemail or call back if the first call is not answered, and according to a SuperOffice study 86% of buyers are willing to pay more for great customer service. Having a receptionist answer your calls in your company name gives a great first impression and a professional image for your business. Servcorp’s Onefone App allows you to use your Servcorp landline phone number on your smartphone, even when on the move.
5.) Flexibility
Virtual Offices facilitate greater flexibility to work remotely or in the office with ease. You may want the option to upgrade or downgrade your membership as your business needs change too.
6.) Support for your business
The delegation of daily tasks frees up time for you to focus on things that matter. Most Virtual Offices don’t have on-site receptionists and administrative staff, but on-site support teams offer a huge advantage if they are the face of your business. Find out more about on-site Virtual Assistant Services on offer at Servcorp.
7.) Access to physical office facilities when you need it
Some benefits of physical office facilities can’t be ignored. For example, use of Meeting Rooms and Coworking spaces. Whether it’s an internal weekly catch up with your team to enhance collaboration, or an external meeting with a potential client to expand your client base. With Servcorp’s Virtual Office you have access to these facilities on demand in 150+ locations worldwide!
Why Use a Virtual Office
A virtual office helps businesses save on overhead costs and increase flexibility. It enables companies to operate remotely while maintaining a professional image, which can attract clients and build trust. This setup allows businesses to scale easily, enhance productivity, and focus on growth without the burden of a physical office. Let’s delve deeper to these points.
Cost-effectiveness
A virtual office eliminates the need for a physical workspace, which significantly reduces overhead costs such as rent, utilities, and office maintenance and other office related services.
This is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses looking to keep operational costs low while still projecting a credible, professional image.
Many virtual office providers also operate on a monthly membership payment model, which is great for businesses looking to avoid long-term office rental contracts.
Scalability
Virtual offices offer quick and efficient scalability for growing businesses, making them sustainable for businesses that have evolving needs or anticipate expansion.
Whether it’s increasing the volume of mail scanning and handling, adding more numbers to your dedicated phone line, or accessing additional meeting rooms, virtual office providers offer scalable solutions, such as virtual assistants and receptionist services to manage this.
This ensures that businesses can expand without the commitment of long-term leases or investing in physical office space.
Flexibility and mobility
A virtual office provides businesses with the flexibility to operate from anywhere, enabling teams to work remotely, from home, or on the go.
This allows businesses to hire talent from different locations, access services like mail forwarding and call answering, and maintain a professional image without a fixed address or office.
The ability to choose when and where to work not only boosts employee satisfaction but also enhances productivity.
Additionally, virtual offices support business continuity, as teams can seamlessly transition between physical locations and continue operations without disruption, even in the face of unexpected events or travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
