Let’s look at two popular office choices: a virtual office vs. a home office. Which would be best for the success of your business?
In today’s modern working environment where flexibility and efficiency are key, there are many working environments to choose from, including virtual offices. Many small businesses and entrepreneurs don’t have the financial ability to rent actual physical office space – as a result, many small companies and entrepreneurs work from home, using their home address as their business address. As a result, virtual office services are increasing in popularity.
If you’re just starting your business or looking for a cost-effective office alternative, the virtual office has many advantages over a home office:
Profesional an Address
The address of your business is a major consideration. Your business address not only matters for legal reasons and paperwork, but it can affect your personal life too.
When you use a home office as your business address, it’s an easy way to route your mail to a comfortable place. Your business mail is as secure as your home location, so you won’t worry about your deliveries and can stay on top of your mail.
But if you live in an apartment complex, condo, or neighborhood, there may be homeowners’ association rules that prohibit operating a business. Don’t assume working from home is an exemption from these rules; on the contrary, many HOAs have specifically enacted new rules to address it. It also might be tricky to receive frequent and oversize packages securely at an apartment or condo.
Professional Privacy
Here’s something else to consider. When you use your home as your business address, it will pop up in Google searches and Google maps. That means anyone in the world who looks up your business will automatically see your home address. Are you and your family comfortable with that?
By contrast, a virtual office provides a professional address where you can route all business communications. Anyone can look up your business address and easily mail you something, but your personal address is shielded from view.
Communication Options
When you work from a home office, your communications options are limited to what’s at the house. Home offices typically operate from cell phones and laptops, during the limited hours you’re awake and focused on work.
Virtual offices provide a wider set of communications options, including a virtual receptionist who can greet your clients and handle your day-to-day calls. Your business doesn’t have to grind to a halt when you’re not working.
There are also other forms of communication to consider: faxing, printing, conference calls, in-person meetings, and managing a bursting email inbox. Depending on your business, one of these might be an especially big concern – for example, realtors and lawyers still use faxes/email to transmit thousands of documents every day.
Meeting Clients
Most virtual office providers in Dublin provide central Dublin business addresses and if you need to meet a client, they provide meeting room facilities at their address. The virtual office wins over the home office on this occasion, as it looks more professional meeting clients at a central office address, rather than a suburban residential address or a coffee shop.
Finding the Best Balance
The choice really comes down to how much support you need. If you’re comfortable managing your business through your cell phone, a home office can be a good choice. There are many free apps and productivity programs that can help you stay organized.
But if you need more robust customer service, a virtual office is a better choice. It takes your business to another level and makes your clients feel that you’re no struggling solopreneur – you’re a highly successful business professional.
Interested in exploring virtual office services? Workspace Bedford provides an all-in-one virtual business solution. Contact Workspace Bedford at 9024058567 or bedford@workspaceatlantic.ca today for more information.
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