A virtual office is a space that is not a traditional office but it includes a means to communicate and to productively work while maintaining business professionalism.
It’s a growing trend. In fact, according to a Davinci Virtual Office Solutions (a provider of virtual office services), statistics suggest that in 2010 more than 66% of US workers did virtual work with 46% engaged in virtual work each week.
Virtual offices usually provide one or all of the following services.
- A mailing address
- Phone numbers
- Meeting rooms
- Offices
- Administrative support
- Copy machines and printers
- Mailing services
- Start-ups
- Mobile and freelance workers
- Firms testing new markets or services
- Businesses who want to reduce costs
- Solo practicing attorneys, management consultants or accountants
- Home based businesses who need to project a professional image
- Day office or small conference room- $10 per hour or $60 per day
- Large boardroom or conference room- $30 per hour or $180 per day
- Voice mail to email- $10 per month
- Mail and package forwarding- costs plus 20%
- Additional companies on the account- $25 each
Most companies who provide virtual office services bundle them into different packages. They are offered at a fraction of the costs of leasing or purchasing office space.
The virtual office is the workplace of choice for many business situations. They include but are not limited to:
Virtual Office Expenses
Virtual office services pricing appears to be affordable and you can usually purchase them as a package or ala carte.
For example, one service offers a phone line including private number, voice mail, answering service for 200 calls, customized greetings, business address, mail receiving services and a building directory listing for $150 per month.
Other services break down like this:
You can imagine some scenarios where a virtual office might be useful:
Chaos
Maybe you’re a writer, consultant or an internet researcher and, as such, you can work out of your home. However, you have two children and only two bedrooms in the home. So, it is too small for a full home office. Also, it is difficult to work while dealing with the constant attention small children demand. You need some quiet time to get your work done so you rent a virtual office three days a week.
Meetings
Your job as a management consultant to small business owners requires constant meetings with your clients. As opposed to a Starbucks or a library, where it can be noisy and/or you could be easily overheard, it may make sense to rent a conference room from a virtual office firm to make a positive impression on your clients.
Maybe, you are running a business like buying and selling on eBay but you do not want your home address going out to all of your customers and contacts. You decide to rent an address from a virtual office and have them forward all the mail and packages to you.
There are several private companies that offer virtual offices although they are most prolific in and around major cities.
About the Author
