Five Benefits Of A Virtual Office

So, you have a business located, with your own office space, somewhere in the country - you really want to expand into the capital city, but you can't quite afford to rent an office space there. A virtual office is therefore perfect for you, allowing you access to those in the city, as if you were located there. But why should you use a virtual office at all, and are there downsides?

Reason One - A Professional Image
A much more professional image for your business. Rather than being located in a small town or in a less desirable area, the high rise city offices can look much more inspiring to your clients.

Reason Two - The Business Feel
Office Space companies typically lay out their buildings with meetings in mind. Therefore the whole experience for your client will feel much more professional; everything is laid out as feels natural, with meeting rooms and executive suites available to use - something which a typical office might not even have available.

Reason Three - Mail Forwarding
While you're away from the office, you can still receive postal mail and telephone calls. Phone calls can be forwarded on to your main office immediately, as can mail in the post - meaning that all communication can pass through as if you were working there directly.

Reason Four - Level Of Technology
Typically most office space companies will have a much higher level of technology than you could afford in a regular office. Obviously the office company wants to show off what they're capable of, and being typically in a busy city, they will have access to the much higher level of technology than is available outside of the city - whether it's extremely fast internet or very high quality phone calls, it's all available to you and your clients.

Reason Five - Complimentary Services
Most office space companies again will have complimentary services to make you and your clients feel at home. The majority of companies will provide things such as kitchens and even showers to turn your virtual office into something of your own. You'll also likely be able to gain access to an on-site hospitality team, who can provide tea, coffee and other refreshments as required.

If you're a small business, or perhaps a startup, a Virtual Office is likely to be a great investment for you. But where should you go? Obviously across the UK and the World are a huge amount of companies offering this service, depending on which city you're looking for. As such, here's a few recommendations for sites that might be of use to you. Leave a comment to this Lens if you've got any recommendations of your own!

UK
London
Virtual Office in Mayfair

USA
Virtual Office in Seattle
Virtual Office in New York

Your Suggestions?
Let me know in the comments below about any virtual offices you use, and they can be added to the list for a comprehensive guide :)