Virtual Office Space

[Blue Phoenix]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone has used Virtual Office space and what their experiences with it have been like? My current address is not very professional sounding so I wanted a virtual office space that tends to have 'Business Centre', etc attached to it. I know it isn't a huge benefit, but I think as a new company a more established address may help me.

Are they relatively simple to set up and use?

 

[Astaroth]

Definitions of Virtual Offices can vary somewhat. If you literally just mean mail forwarding then it is simple to set up and generally you just need to bring proof of identity when setting it up.

If you mean the sort where you can also use meeting rooms or drop in to use a hot desk etc then they are equally as easy to setup/ hire but my concern has always been, if meeting repeat clients, that the lack of consistency will highlight the fact your a small business as much as an unprofessional address (ie first meeting is on 2nd floor, second meeting is 4th floor, third meeting on the 1st floor etc)

 

[Officebird]

Yep it's easy to set up. With new clients I check photo ID and a utility bill then run their details through an Anti Money Laundering Program. Once that's done and identity is confirmed I explain the contract (can't be used for illegal purposes etc), they sign it and everything is done. It takes about 20 mins.

As far meeting rooms go I do agree with Astaroth. I have two meeting rooms here and we try and keep clients using the same one each time. One is a bit smaller than the other and I am in the process of adding a desk and computer with telephone and filing trays in there so that people can bring things in to create the illusion it is their actual office if they would like to do so. This would also obviously give me the opportunity to hire it out as a hot desking facility also.

Just make sure you aren't paying for monthly meeting room hours that you aren't using. I can package them together but most of my clients just pay for the office and then pay a reduced rate of £10 per hour if they need to have a meeting. Independent suppliers are much easier to negociate with so if I were you I would check them out first. Good luck