For many remote workers, the idea of renting your own office space can be too pricey to entertain, but there is one way to gain some of the same benefits without the expense – virtual offices.
A high-rise building looms over a bridge in Austin (Photo: Cody and Maureen via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)
In the Texan capital of Austin, the city’s remote and transient workforce have a large number of virtual offices to pick from, all of which offer many of the same kind of business services typically offered when you rent a bricks and mortar office. Among the main advantages is access to an official business address that can help boost your prestige in the eyes of clients, as well as discounts on renting out physical meeting rooms on an ad hoc basis. Here are three of the best online resources for finding a virtual office in Austin.
Alliance Virtual Offices
One of the biggest names in the virtual office sector, Alliance Virtual Offices are a renowned platform featuring over 1,400 virtual offices across the globe. Their services include an address for use on your website and business cards, virtual phone and business numbers, mail processing and forwarding, and access to a full suite of software. They offer two virtual office memberships: a standard platinum plan, which includes all of the above; and platinum plus, which also includes a live receptionist and up to 16 hours of meeting room or private office time per month. In Austin, they have 9 virtual offices available, with rates varying by location, but starting at $55 per month for their platinum plan and $180 per month for platinum plus. An experienced team is on hand to offer help and support by chat, email or phone for all members.
www.alliancevirtualoffices.com
Regus
One of the most well-established names in the coworking and private office world, Regus also provide virtual offices that let workers benefit from a prime business address, without daily use of a physical space. Regus can handle your mail and forward it on, take your calls, and even help you book meeting rooms. In Austin, they have a total of 14 venues where virtual office rentals are available. Prices vary by location, but start at $59 per month for an address at the Dobie Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Clients are also free to change location at any time, allowing them to adapt in harmony with their business.
Spaces
Spaces Congress at 5th is a vibrant working environment in the bustling heart of Austin. Housed in a modern office building, they feature coworking spaces and private offices, as well as virtual office plans that allow workers to establish a presence for their business at this location. Their virtual office packages start at $105 per month, with services including a business address, mail handling, telephone answering and call forwarding. All packages also include on-demand access to the venue’s office and coworking spaces, with the highest tier Virtual Office Plus plan including use of a private or dedicated desk for five days a month, as well as invites to regular social and networking events.