How to get a virtual business address?

Let’s start by answering the question of what a virtual business address is.

A virtual business address is the same as a virtual office address.

A virtual business address is a real estate address in a prestigious and reputable location suitable for business owners working out of their homes.

For example, if you are a small business owner, a freelancer or your company is in transition and you are working from home, you can opt for a virtual business/office address which will serve as your mailing address.

This is not a PO Box as a PO Box cannot be used to deliver certain packages. When using a virtual business address, you are presenting your business in a professional and prestigious image to your established and potential clientele. The virtual address can be used as your business’ legal address.

In essence, the virtual business/office address is managed by a service provider who helps you sort your emails upon receipt, scan and send them to you via email, and from the comfort of your home, you can choose which of the mails you want to be opened, scanned and emailed to you or send your home address as delivered.

You can even discard the unessential ones – junk mails do not need to reach your doorstep!

Who needs a virtual address?

Good question! As we’ve said earlier, a virtual business/office address is suitable for home-based businesses like company startups and freelancers. Even large established companies can make use of virtual business addresses to establish a presence in a prime location like London or Wales or to present a stable front if they are in transition.

Generally speaking, a virtual business address is good for all types of businesses. It has the added advantage of obtaining a local or toll-free telephone or fax number with your virtual address to give your business a professional outlook and a strong market presence.

How to get a virtual business address?

• Find a virtual office solution – the first point of action is to find a virtual office solution or service provider that is suitable for your needs and create an online account. 
   
• Choose the most appropriate address for your business – service providers offer addresses in varying prime locations from which their clients can choose. Depending on the kind of business you do, you should choose an address that best represents your business or the company’s image. For example, it is a well-known fact that Canary Wharf in London is well known for being a location for financial-related businesses. Assuming your business is in that aspect, wouldn’t it be awesome to have an address located in that area?!
   
• Pick & customize the services you need – In addition to picking a suitable virtual office address solution, you need to also understand that service providers have different packages. So, after identifying the service provider that you want, pick the package that best suits you and which covers all you need for your virtual office to function maximally. Avoid picking services you do not need while there are services that could be provided on an as-you-need basis.
  Hence, if you’d need an office space for say once in a month or bi-weekly conference or meeting, you can access that when you need it. But, be sure that your service provider has such options listed before choosing them. It is therefore necessary to make a list of your potential needs before coming to this stage.

Furthermore, some services are provided free of charge, while others come with additional costs. You need to find out what those are before you make your final decision.

• Purchase the service – Once you identify the virtual business address solution best suited to you, choosing your preferred virtual address, and picking the services or packages you need, the next thing is to purchase the service. Be sure to check for hidden VATs. Read the fine lines of the contract you are agreeing to before purchasing the service. After that, you are set for business!

What are the advantages of using a virtual business address?

• Professionalism – a virtual business/office address gives your business or company a professional image compared to using your home address on business correspondence.
   
• Privacy – with a virtual business address, you are guaranteed your privacy as your registered business or mailing address is available in the public domain and your privacy may thus be compromised if you were to use your home address.
   
• Reduces overheads – with a virtual office address, you will have access to almost all the benefits of an actual office without the added costs of building maintenance and transportation expenses. You and your employees get to work from the comfort of your home.
   
• Effective mail sorting – there are professionals at your virtual office address who will sort through your mails, scan and email them to you unopened before forwarding the packages to your house or preferred address per your request. With this, you get to do away with junk mails before they reach you!
   
• Professional Receptionist for call receipt and forwarding/Voice mailbox – you can have access to a real live receptionist who will receive your official calls on your behalf and redirect the important ones to you when necessary. Some virtual business address solutions also provide a voice mailbox that has a higher capacity than that provided by regular phone service providers. These services can be purchased by month or year.
   
• Real office space for meetings and conferences – you can rent conference rooms for your meetings at additional costs when needed.