7 Things to Consider When Choosing a Virtual Office Location
In an age where everything seems to be going virtual or ‘in the cloud’, a good deal of businesses seem to have forgotten the importance of the good ol’ location.
Of course, the jury is still out on whether location even matters today, depending on whom you ask. In some industries like Information Technology, it may be the least pressing of priorities. For others, however, locality alone can determine whether a business survives or folds.
The beauty of a virtual office is that it allows businesses to establish a middle ground between renting an office space and conducting meetings in the kitchen. But make no mistake, when are talking virtual offices, location has never been more important.
So then, what are some of the things that you should consider when choosing a virtual office location?
#1 Address
One of the most important things to factor in when deciding on the location of a virtual office is address. Image matters, and although it may not be everything when it comes to virtual offices, it sure as eggs does say a lot about your business.
Figure 1: 133 Virtual Offices Castlereagh Street offices
A prime central business district like 133 Castlereagh Street offices can have a huge positive impact on your business. Huge.
#2 Convenience
For all intents and purposes, virtual offices are meant to offer convenience. Thus, don’t overlook the convenience a virtual office can actually provide you and your business with.
For one, it need not be far from your place of residence. The last thing virtual offices want to do is take the world back to the old days where people spent hours in traffic getting to work.
#3 Business Priorities
Typically, all virtual offices emphasise on or serve up certain features. That in mind, you need to go for one that is line with your business priorities and what you ultimately hope to get out of your virtual office.
Take an example.
What some virtual offices may make up for in boasting the best location in town, they may lack in the provision of important functions such as a reception, meeting room access or mail management.
Figure 2: Receptionists-virtual-offices
This is why you need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each office with regard to your business needs before making a decision.
While you are at it…
#4 Compare Rates and Fees
The objective of every business is to make more money than what it set out with. It thus beats logic to spend most of the returns meeting office rates and associated fees.
Unless money is the least of your concerns, a virtual office offering a reasonable rate never hurt anyone. If you can’t secure one in the most prestigious office addresses in Sydney at the moment, no need to overwhelm yourself financially, you can always work towards that.
Don’t forget to enquire which amenities will cost you extra. If there are some that may, assess to see if they will be applicable (and at how much), or just luxuries you could do without.
#5 Technology
A good virtual office will provide you with up-to-the-minute technological advantages. You know, those obvious services you can’t live without – a high-speed Internet connection, phone line, printing and faxing services maybe, probably virtual assistant services.
#6 Lease Information
When it comes to lease agreements, for virtual offices or otherwise, it’s of utmost importance not to treat them as those software agreements that most people don’t go through. Take your time and review them.
The last thing you want is to be locked in a space you have outgrown just because you absentmindedly put pen to paper on a lease agreement that binds you for more than a year. There is no Back button in this.
#7 Amenities
Last but definitely not least, don’t fail to check the list of amenities available in each location. There are places that will charge extra for services such as call forwarding, Wi-Fi connections; the kitchen even. Others won’t.
Figure 3: Virtual offices amenities
Don’t misinterpret this to mean free is the way to go. If a certain location suits you perfectly but charges for these little extras, consider if they are worth it or not. For businesses whose ethos hinge upon collaborative work and socialising, for example, the cost may be well worth it, no doubt.
A virtual office is more cost-effective than running a traditional office, and the flexibility it offers will have you laughing. Just don’t rush into making a decision on the location without considering all the right factors, eh?
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