A Virtual office is “a business location that is simulated by telecommunications and computer links” - Dictionary.com.Virtual offices combine live offsite communications, usually with a business postal address, and can provide access to all the benefits of a permanent office base, at a fraction of the cost.
The History of Virtual Offices
While the earliest examples of virtual office services, such as mail handling, date back to the industrial revolution of the Victorian era, virtual offices as we now know them first became possible with the birth of the world wide web in 1991.
Increased demand and advancements in technology have meant that the kinds of virtual office services now available are becoming ever more sophisticated.
The huge growth in the popularity of remote and home working over the past few years has given rise to an increase in demand for virtual office services. In 2012, the number of self employed people hit a 20-year high, with around 4.2 people registered as self employed.
What is Included in a Virtual Office?
Virtual office providers normally offer various packages to cater to the differing needs of each client. Due to the minimal set up costs of a virtual office, packages can be provided on flexible terms, meaning you only pay for what you need.
Services packages can include:
- Registered business address
- Postage and mail services, such as post collection, post forwarding or PDF forwarding
- Telephone services, from a basic reception service with voicemail or message taking, right through to the set up of a home office phone extension line for seamless call routing
- Personalised message services, such as telephone messages to email or text
- Discounted meeting rooms and hot desk facilities
What are the Benefits of a Virtual Office in Leeds?
A Virtual office in Leeds enables you to significantly reduce your overheads by presenting your business from a prestigious address, whilst physically working from another location (often a home office or more cost effective business location).
Virtual offices in cities such as Leeds or London are particularly appealing for small businesses and start-ups due to the high rents associated with city centre commercial office space. While a full time city centre desk or office may be unattainable for small businesses, a virtual office address combined with a physical home office is much more cost effective.
Virtual office clients are able to gain all respectability and prominence of a desirable Leeds or London address without the associated overheads for furnishing, managing and providing services to that space.
Who is a Virtual Office Suited to?
Virtual offices are popular with those who are self employed, home workers, or businesspeople who regularly travel. Although their appeal is broad, the many advantages of virtual offices mean they are particularly favoured by certain industries and professions.
Entrepreneurs and small business owners like them as they can afford to pursue their business ideas without the worry over lengthy leases or overheads of traditional offices. They also provide the perfect solution for businessmen and women who regularly travel, and for teams or divisions of larger companies who work at different locations nationally or internationally.
Workers who are particularly suited to virtual offices include:
- Home workers
- Freelancers
- Start up businesses
- Teams of larger companies based at remote locations
- Companies expanding into new markets
- Frequent travelers
Greener Offices
As well as saving on travel time and costs, virtual offices can help home workers to reduce their carbon footprint by removing the daily commute.
More information about Virtual Offices at Carrwood