Choosing the right virtual office for your small business is probably one of the most important decisions you will ever make.
Naturally, you want to choose an option that best fits your business requirements and goals.
With that being said, there are other important factors you should also take into account before taking the final leap.
In this article, we will walk you through the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best virtual office for your business.
Choose The Right Location
Just like choosing a physical office, location is the first thing to consider when selecting a virtual office. In fact, the location of your virtual office can play a big role in how your business is viewed.
A prestigious address in a well-known commercial district can improve your credibility.
Your industry matters too – it can help to pick a virtual office with a zip code that matches other companies in your field.
Say you are starting a tech company – it would make sense to go for a zip code in your city’s tech centre or where all the new ideas are happening. At the same time, for lawyers having an office close to the court or in a recognized legal area could boost your standing with customers.
TAKE NOTE: When weighing the benefits of securing a business address in a prime location, be prepared for the higher costs that may come with prestigious areas.
Be Aware of Potential Hidden Costs
Although a virtual office is typically more budget-friendly than a physical one, it’s important to keep in mind that there are still costs involved.
As you explore options with a virtual office provider, do not stop at the base price. Ask if services like sending mail or answering calls are part of the deal.
Often, the initial price only covers the address, while additional services come at an extra cost, which can add up. Make sure you know how the pricing works from the start, including any extras or fees that might change.
PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for clear pricing and steer clear of long-term deals that might limit your options. A service that lets you adjust your plan as you need will benefit you more in the long run.
Scalability & Flexibility
As your business grows, so will your needs. Hence, it is important to find a virtual office provider that can keep up with those changes.
Maybe you will need extra admin support, longer access to meeting rooms, or even better customer service. Whatever it is, your provider should be able to offer what you need as things evolve.
Before committing, make sure the terms allow some flexibility, so you can make adjustments or even terminate if your circumstances shift down the road.
Security & Privacy Measures
When you have a virtual office, you are going to be handling personal and customer information, so making sure it is secure is a must. This isn’t something you can compromise on.
Your virtual office represents your business, and your customers are trusting you with their data. Security should be a top priority.
Be sure to ask the provider about how they handle things like mail, personal data, and communication to keep your business information safe.
A credible virtual office provider will have solid protections in place to keep everything confidential.
How Is Their Customer Support?
Customer service is something you definitely want to think about when picking a virtual office.
A good support team can help with things like mail forwarding or scheduling meeting rooms, and you need someone who’s quick to respond. If their customer service is slow or unhelpful, it can mess up your workflow and make your business look bad.
PRO TIP: Test the provider’s customer service before committing. A quick email or call can reveal how responsive and helpful their support team is an important factor for any business.
Look At Their Reviews
You read plenty of reviews before investing in those perfect jeans, so why not do the same when choosing a virtual office?
Take a look at what others are saying on their website. Are clients happy with the services? Do they mention good support and helpful facilities?
Reading the reviews gives you an idea of the quality of their services, available facilities, and customer support.
It also does not hurt to ask for recommendations or keep a few options in mind before making your final choice.
To conclude, picking the virtual office provider is more than just selecting an address that looks good on paper (while that does help), there are a lot of other factors that play an equally important role.
At My Office, we provide several virtual office packages at prime locations like Woods Square and International Plaza, giving your business a credible address while also providing essential services like mail handling, meeting room access, and flexible plans.
Starting from only $3.99 a month, our goal is to provide a professional presence that adapts as your business evolves, all while staying affordable!