How to Operate a Successful Small Business — Without an Office
It used to be that running a thriving business required having a physical office location. However, with the advent of modern technology — particularly the Internet and mobile devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones — you can now conduct business just about anywhere. Walk into any coffee shop or Wi-Fi café, and you’re bound to see somebody intently pecking away on a laptop or engaged in a serious business-related conversation.
What Are the Benefits of Operating a Virtual Business?
Perhaps the biggest advantage of not having a physical office is the substantial cost savings. You don’t have to incur overhead costs such as rent, furniture and utilities. You can start many types of small businesses with nothing more than an Internet-enabled laptop or tablet and a mobile phone — items you probably already own — and many people find they simply prefer working outside of the traditional office environment. According to research conducted by Intel and Dell, about one-third of workers feel they are more productive when working remotely.
Considerations When Launching a Virtual Business
If you’re thinking of establishing a successful virtual business that does not have a physical location, there are a number of factors to consider including:
- Choosing the right business type: Obviously, not every type of business is compatible with office-free operation. If you manufacture a product, for instance, you’ll likely need a plant with an on-site office. However, you can easily start and operate a business such as freelance writing, consulting or bookkeeping from just about anywhere.
- Having the right equipment: Just about every business owner who does not have physical office space needs a laptop or tablet equipped with the latest features, a reliable high-speed Internet connection and a high-quality mobile phone.
- Establishing an online presence: If you operate any type of virtual business, you’ll need to create a website and become proficient in using social media to market your company and reach customers.
- Connecting with employees: Just because you don’t have an office, it doesn’t mean you can’t have employees. You can create a virtual team and stay connected with them via tools such as online meeting sites, email and mobile communication devices.
Getting the Most out of Your Telephone Service
Having access to an advanced telephone system can enable you to increase your efficiency and productivity. AccessDirect offers a wide range of affordable small-business virtual PBX phone systems containing features ideally suited for working remotely. Examples include remote call forwarding, a find-me/follow-me feature that ensures callers will always be able to locate you no matter where you are and a voicemail-to-email feature that delivers voicemail messages to any computer with broadband Internet access.
Contact AccessDirect to learn more about how our innovative virtual PBX phone systems can enhance your remote business operations.