The world of technology offers a lot of fantastic opportunities to work remotely. The Tech Republic notes that as much as 45% of all tech jobs are likely to be done by freelancers as early as 2028. The world of freelancing in tech gives people a lot of benefits, including not having to worry about going into an office every day. However, an office isn’t always a negative thing. A freelance tech worker might need an office more than he or she knows.
Technology freelancers can be mobile as they need to be. With high-portability laptops and Wi-Fi in most business places, tech workers can find a cozy coffee shop and work from there. In a lot of places in the world, tech freelancers choose just that method of working since it gives them a dedicated working space. The idea of an area that a freelancer can dedicate solely to work is the basic premise of the office. However, a virtual office offers several benefits that working at the local coffee shop doesn’t have. Top Freelancing Websites are an important role in the tech world.
Virtual Office Perk #1: Solid Internet Connection
Nothing is more annoying for a tech worker than trying to keep their connection to the group they’re working with alive on a dodgy link. Harvard Business Review mentions that using free Wi-Fi opens up one’s computer to many issues with security. Most tech workers are well aware of the risk, but they have no choice if their main point of contact with their clients is via email.
A virtual office solves this problem handily by having a dedicated internet connection available to professionals that choose to work from the office or host a meeting in one of the meeting rooms. The cost is negligible, and the included connection is as secure as the professional would like to make it.
All information sent over the secure network is safe from prying eyes if you establish a VPN connection from the office. Network security is sometimes a necessity in some situations, and having a dedicated network is a prerequisite for some companies since they work with sensitive data.
Virtual Office Perk #2: A Quiet Place
Many tech freelancers don’t consider having a quiet, dedicated workspace as something they need. CNBC notes that as many as 58% of high-performing employees wanted areas that had fewer distractions and noise to perform at their best. This might not apply to everyone, but having a quiet workplace to get things done can be a boon to tech workers.
A distraction-free zone offers rare abilities to focus. Essential tasks such as writing or debugging code, are brain-intensive tasks, and the slightest change in one’s mindset could throw an entire train of thought off. Some tech workers rely on music from headphones to keep their minds focused, but even music can have a distracting effect in some cases. The safest bet is to have an area that is completely quiet to do work that is focus intensive and, in most cases, the ability to come and work at your virtual office address is available. However, expect to pay anywhere from £25 to £100 per month for access.
Virtual Office Perk #3: Credibility
Business-to-business workers and independent app developers have a hard time landing high-profile jobs if they don’t have a real business address associated with their name or brand.
An office space with a business address, phone number and mailing address for communication can help boost a company’s profile, even if that company is made up of just a single freelancer. In addition the business address can be used in any of the marketing materials you have such as business cards, websites and other promotional efforts made by your business.
Occasionally, to register a company and be considered for contracts through that registration, a business or individual needs to specify a location. This address is much better suited to the task than a home address since it removes the risk of business correspondence getting lost in the clutter and it provides the added security of not publishing your home address details in the public domain.
Virtual Office Perk #4: Freedom to Travel
One of the best reasons to work as a freelancer is the ability to travel and work from anywhere in the world. However, if the freelancer isn’t around to collect his or her mail or hire someone to receive and forward calls, then there might be a lot of people trying to get in contact with them that simply can’t.
Virtual office services offer mail management and receptionist services that can help the traveling freelancer stay on top of their business. Having a highly trained receptionist that answers all of your business calls allows you to never miss a call and supports you in your traveling and business development efforts.
Virtual Office Perk #5: A Central Meeting Ground
While most of the tech world operates online, some members of the traditional business community prefer an in-face meeting. While a few of these companies or individuals have meeting space, usually they look to the person or company they’re hiring to have space for them to meet. The virtual office has conference rooms that are part of most packages that are ideal for meetings. Depending on the type of session and how many people are involved, the freelancer can choose to hire a more spacious or smaller space.
Additionally, most virtual office spaces are located in downtown buildings, making it convenient for clients to find. Some professionals prefer lunchtime meetings or meetings at specific hours, and the location makes it ideal for such meetings.
Virtual Office Perk #6: Establishing a Routine
Hired mentions that building a routine is a crucial step to maintain productivity as a freelancer. Having an office commute as part of the routine might not work out every single day. The reason that most people take up freelancing is to avoid the office altogether. But setting up a system of having to bet at an office at a particular time helps put one’s mind in a framework to be productive. Human beings thrive on routines, as long as they aren’t unhealthy. Virtual offices allow tech freelancers to set their schedules. When they work and how they plan their routine is entirely up to them.
A Bastion for Productivity
A home office does have its benefits for a freelance worker, but many times that sort of working space can quickly get distracting or get taken over by household duties. The virtual office offers a way for tech freelancers to be productive and have a space to retreat to. Having a location that one solely dedicates to working can be an immense relief. Compartmentalization is vital in any freelance type of profession. Virtual offices help tech workers separate their life from their work so that they don’t spoil either of them with overlap.
