Startups in the United States have rapidly developed a reputation for unconventional office culture, novel business practices, and a pattern of aggressively challenging the status quo. And, for many startups in the fraught process of starting up, this culture in conjunction with limited finances opens the door to embracing the convenience and affordability of the virtual office.
Here’s why.
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Virtual Offices Legitimize Startups and Small Businesses
No matter how virtual an office may be, a business still relies on a physical space for credibility, workspace, meeting spaces, and the all-important commercial mailing address. Virtual offices provide these benefits in the form of a highly professional co-working space fully equipped with all standard office hardware, a respectable commercial address for each resident business, and—in many cases—virtual receptionist service to cover company digital phone lines and manage incoming callers (of particular importance for a highly mobile, decentralized company workforce).  These services combine to give startups a professional gloss that can translate into real sales and corporate advancement.
Virtual Offices Are Affordable and Valuable
Even with an economic climate where lenders and investors recognize the potential of startups, the challenges these fledgling companies face are substantial, and finances are often extremely tight. After all, more than half of all startup businesses fail within five years, many of them struggling to make a return on their startup capital as their operating expenses increase.
The costs associated with a traditional office compound this challenge. When renting out a traditional office a business is responsible for paying for rent, internet service, utilities, cleaning, and more. And these costs include nights and weeks when the space isn’t even in use.
Virtual offices limit these costs and give startups the same services and convenience at a fraction of the overall expense, particularly in high-rent areas like California. Each resident company in the virtual office building pays only for the services and time that they use, allowing their expenses to be carefully controlled over long periods.
Virtual Offices Provide Superior Mobility and Convenience
Part of the appeal of the this type of office is the mobility and flexibility that the system grants small, flexible teams. If a startup’s staff need to be in another city for a particular event or meeting, they can pack up and go without leaving someone behind to receive mail, answer phones, or water the plants. At the same time, using cloud-based business software employees are free to contribute from their laptops or mobile devices while on the road, working from home, or on the other side of the world.
Of course, the trick is finding a virtual office provider in your area. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Reliable Receptionist provides high quality call handling and virtual receptionist services to small and medium businesses, and is closely associated with the Laptop Lounge, a virtual office and co-working space located here in Walnut Creek.
To learn more, tour the office, or sign up for a free demo of our services, call the team today at (925) 627-4200.
