Choosing The Perfect Virtual Office For You
The development of technology has opened the door to many possibilities that we could not even imagine a decade or two before. Whether we like it or not, virtual reality has become the new, practical reality that most of us cannot live without. Internet technology, mobile devices, software programs and applications have become daily necessities and in fact survival tools for many especially during coronavirus pandemic where most activities are conducted on virtual platform.
Virtual office is one of the products that are made possible by the ever-changing technology. Today, if you prefer to work remotely or your business requires you to be mobile, all you need to do is to have a virtual office that you can use as your business domicile address and enjoy the facilities and services that come with it. The other main benefit of virtual office is its cost efficiency and the convenience it offers compared to other types of office.
In Indonesia, virtual office was first introduced in the ‘90s with just a handful of providers. With the increasing popularity of virtual office, there are growing numbers of virtual office providers, especially in Jakarta. Given the widely available choices, choosing a virtual office can be time consuming or even confusing. One of the common mistakes that virtual office users tend to commit is making their choice based solely on price, while actually there are many other factors that they should have considered. The cheapest option may not be the best option. Here is a more comprehensive list of factors that you should consider before making a final decision.
Location
Choosing virtual office that is in Jakarta CBD areas gives you and your clients easy accessibility, an important factor especially if you need to have frequent face-to-face meetings with your clients before you can close your business transactions.
Compared to a virtual office address in a ruko (shop house), virtual office address in an office building in Jakarta CBD area gives you an added prestige that you need especially when you are developing your brand and building your image.
Services and Amenities
Many entrepreneurs choose virtual office not simply for the address but also for the facilities provided, which include meeting rooms, lounge and pantry. If your business requires you to conduct presentation and seminars, you need to make sure that the virtual office you choose can accommodate those needs.
Virtual office users are typically mobile or work remotely, so make sure you choose virtual office that offers professional secretarial and reception services to ensure your mails, documents and phones are handled professionally.
Technology
By definition, virtual office works because most of its business activities can be done on virtual platform. High-speed internet connection is a must especially if your business constantly require you to work online. Without it, you will not be able to close any business transaction.
Staff
As virtual office users, you rely on the on-site staff to greet your clients, handle your phones and mails as well as assisting you in secretarial works. Choose virtual office that comes professionally trained and helpful because their services may make a difference between you getting your business deal or not.
Flexibility
Choose provider that offers virtual office, coworking space as well as serviced office under one roof, so you have the flexibility to expand your office and staff at a short notice.
If your business has grown to a certain level, or if working remotely is no longer an ideal option for you, you can upgrade anytime from virtual office to coworking space or to serviced office without having to change your business domicile address which will cost time, energy and money.
Price
Price is an important factor for choosing a virtual office, but it should not the only determining factor. It is not going to benefit your business if the virtual office you choose does not fulfill all the other more important factors. Virtual office is the cheapest option compared to all other types of office such as coworking space, serviced office or conventional office, so your strategy should be to choose the one that meets all your needs.
Conclusion
While virtual office may be your first office or your temporary office until your business grows, you should have some long term consideration to avoid having to move around. Every time you move, your business domicile address in all the legal documents have to be changed and that will cost you time, energy and money. In order to avoid this, it is wise to choose virtual office provider that also offers coworking space and serviced office under one roof. Even better, choose provider that owns the property as an extra stability.
There is a famous quote from Leslie Coulthard in 1966: “If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys”. Do not let price alone determines your choice of virtual office. Consider all other factors. Make your virtual office works to your advantage, make it help you win more business.
The above article is contributed by Amethyst Executive Suites, provider of Serviced Office, Coworking Space and Virtual Office with offices located at Sahid Sudirman Center, Jl. Sudirman (Central Jakarta CBD) and 18 Office Park, Jl. Simatupang (South Jakarta CBD). To find out more about our services and promotional offers, please visit www.amethystsuites.com or call +62 896 3694 1711 (Sahid Sudirman Center) or +62 896 3694 1722 (18 Office Park).
