There is a lot of talk about virtual offices lately and for good reasons. The Internet and increasingly advanced technology have made it possible for us to work from anywhere, collaborating with people on the other side of the world, and speeding up our overall efficiency.
Whether you’re about to start your own business for the very first time or simply debating if you should transition to a virtual office in the future, it’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of it.
That way, you’re not making any hasty decisions and you’ll be able to reap the benefits of whichever option you choose. Here is a handful of the possibilities and setbacks of each, so that you can make an educated decision.
The pros of virtual offices: Low costs and high efficiency
First of all, let’s take a look at the most obvious advantages to virtual offices. As you won’t have to rent any office space or make payments to maintain the premises, it is a cost-effective solution. Particularly to prospective startups that should try to save as much money as possible; a virtual office can certainly save you a lot of money, in the long run.
Consider a virtual office, in the beginning, so that you can concentrate on putting your finances where you really need them. Such as in marketing, for example, or in finding the best possible employees for your company.
A virtual office is also a lot more flexible in terms of telecommuting and working from wherever you’d like. Plus, if you need to go without certain resources for a couple of weeks, the rest of the office won’t be affected by it either.
The pros of a traditional office: Customer trust and team building
There are some clear advantages to having a physical office space, though, if you’re willing to put up with the cost of it. Meeting clients in an actual office may build both trust and credibility, for example, as well as making it easier for both of you as there won’t be any hassle of scheduling a virtual meeting.
An office builds credibility for your business too as it signals that you’ve invested in the space and you’re here to stay awhile. Have a look at Commercial Orange County and search around for something that may suit your business’ finances; it doesn’t have to be too expensive if you know where to look.
Plus, when your employees have a place to meet every morning and get to interact with each other face-to-face, it becomes a lot easier to function as a team. They will get to know each other, gather in a set location, and interact with the customers face-to-face as well.
Overall, there are some obvious advantages and setbacks to both options and you should consider what your company would benefit the most from. You can always upgrade to a traditional office after a while, by the way, if you’re just starting out.