5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Virtual Office in Singapore

Have you decided to start a business in Singapore?

In Singapore, it is necessary for all companies and businesses to have a registered business address. This address must always be effective for the delivery of any and all official correspondence to the company, its Directors and its Shareholders. A registered office must be operational and accessible to the public during normal office hours, but need not be where the company conducts its activities. Click here to read more information on: Registered Office Address.

As a new business, it is important to expand your dollar in order to channel more funds into growing your business. As such, many businesses will opt to minimize their overhead costs by engaging in a virtual office / registered business address service instead of spending funds on renting a full office space.

Virtual offices are a cost effective service for businesses that allow you to maintain an official address for your business while you focus on getting your business going. 

Business owners usually look for a virtual office that gives them the best value for money. However, this very much depends on the priorities of the business – is cost the main factor, or would you require a full suite of services? To help you get organised, here are 5 things to consider when selecting a virtual office provider.

1. Business Address

Your address says a lot about you as a company. By choosing a virtual office in a prestigious location, you can benefit from it and portray a good first impression on your partners and clients by having it officially printed on your business card and marketing material.

Ideally, the address should be sited within or near a business district. This connection instantly conveys the impression that you are a thriving business plugged into established business networks, with access to a wide range of resources. A convenient, central location also makes it easy for your partners and clients to reach you.

In Singapore, preferred corporate addresses include Robinson Road, Shenton Way, Raffles Quay, Battery Road, Clarke Quay, and North Bridge Road.

Lionsworld Business Centre: 111 North Bridge Road #21-01 Singapore 179098

2. Call Answering or Forwarding Services

Having a business landline number adds credibility to your business. Though many small business owners are turning to Skype or their mobile phones to take their business calls, having a landline number reassures your clients and reaffirms that your business is based locally and has a physical location.

Virtual office packages are able to provide a fixed landline number for your business that can automatically redirect all your phone calls to your mobile number. As such, you can answer all calls from your mobile and still work on the go.

Additionally, if you would like a receptionist to answer your incoming calls before diverting the calls to you, you can also engage in a Call Answering Service. Typically, the receptionists will be able to be trained to answer according to your preferred instructions.

3. Mail Forwarding

Your virtual office provider will be responsible for collecting all your mails on your behalf.

Normally, you may opt to collect the mail at your virtual office or to have your mail forwarded to your home or remote working address. This is especially useful if you are based overseas.

At Lionsworld, all mails are collected daily and an SMS notification will be sent to you, informing you of the mails received and senders. You will then be able to collect your mails within 14 days at our office, after which the mails will be forwarded to your residential address. You may also request for your mail to be forwarded on an ad-hoc basis or automatically forwarded when received.

Furthermore, there are no limits as to the type of mails received. You are able to send couriers, parcels and packages to our address. As long as they are correctly addressed to you or your company, we will be able to receive them on your behalf.

4. Working and Meeting Spaces

While working remotely has its advantages, there are days you may want to be a little more productive. It therefore helps if your virtual office provider has rentable desks or office spaces with conducive work environments. Additionally, a good virtual office would be fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology so that you can start working right away. This may include a high-speed internet connection, printing services, a phone line, and virtual assistant services.

If your virtual office provider has meeting rooms, you can also invite clients to meet you at “your office”. This will be convenient for your business as well. 

5. Price

Once you have shortlisted suitable virtual office providers based on your requirements, you can compare their prices and facilities before deciding on which provider to go on board with. 

Lionsworld Virtual Offices