Finding and using a virtual office package to benefit your business
You can find true love online. You can discover a sibling you never knew you had online. And now, you can even run a business online.
If you’ve decided to run your business online to cut traffic, pollution, stress, illness, day care costs, rent, company overhead, you may still be wondering: where will all my mail go?
Most virtual office packages offer a business address. Many even provide a phone number, live receptionist, and fax. More benefits of having a physical identity are:
Having a local area code will help you attract local customers.
A separate business address is preferential to using a home address. As Marco Carbajo points out on All Business, “a zoned commercial mailing address is a key component in the business credit building process. For lenders it helps in identifying the operation and location of a business.”
An address in a prominent building or location will help your company gain prestige and validity fast without paying the exorbitant rent.
Customized voice mail boxes with prerecorded introductions will help phone calls and customer interactions go more smoothly right off the bat.
With some VO providers, you’ll have access to an office space and other meeting spaces, for the days you might actually need a physical workspace for the whole team.
If you think your business can benefit from a virtual office, the next step is where to find one.
Try your local coworking spaces. Many are virtual office service providers. In Chicago, Free Range Office is a great option that offers not only a physical address and mail concierge (with email alerts), but also access to events and conference room time. Also, going local is generally more affordable; a Free Range VO membership is only $50/month.
If you’re not based in Chicago, here are a few more options.
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