Lara Zanesco | 04/03/2022
Virtual office or coworking?
The business world is evolving and solutions such as virtual offices and coworking have emerged to make the routine of different professionals easier. If you are starting your own business but cannot afford to rent a commercial space, these solutions can help you without having to bear the high costs of a conventional office.
This is the reality for many entrepreneurs who now work online and, often, directly from home. Data from the National Association of Coworking and Virtual Offices Census reinforces that flexible solutions are a success. According to Ancev, 1,647 shared workspaces were active in Brazil by 2021 .
The problem is that many people still confuse one thing with the other, as virtual saudi arabia mobile phone numbers database office and coworking are different things – and have completely different purposes.
To help you understand which option is best for your business, in this article, I will explain what each one is for and its advantages for your business. Let's go!
Main differences between virtual office and coworking
Despite being similar, the services have their own characteristics and better suit a certain profile of professionals or businesses.
Before going into details, it is worth remembering that both coworking and virtual offices are advantageous options. The golden tip is: reflect on the context of your business , your professional goals and understand how you can benefit.
Understanding the virtual office
The virtual office is a solution designed to open and regulate CNPJs , and can also be used to promote your business in prestigious locations without spending on high-cost rent. The main features of this solution are:
it is a completely online service;
you hire an address from an existing location;
you do not use the physical space;
has office services, such as correspondence management;
has a fiscal and commercial address for your CNPJ.
Want to learn more? Check out our full article on Virtual Office .By hiring a virtual office, you will have the following advantages:
support in opening a company so that you can issue invoices;
well-located address with low cost;
your company name will be associated with a more serious and professional image;
possibility of renting meeting rooms only when needed.
Understanding coworking
Coworking is a space where you can go to work and where several professionals can share it at the same time. It is nothing more than a shared physical office. You can rent both workstations, such as a desk, and private rooms.
The main characteristics of a coworking space are:
you hire the use of the physical space of an office;
has all the infrastructure for a day of work or meetings;
shares the structure of the place with other professionals.
This is an advantageous option for those who need office space without having to rent one monthly. Some of the benefits of a coworking space include:
Internet and telephone services;
Shared kitchen;
Support in operational services, in accordance with the contracted structure;
Environment that favors interaction between professionals.
Is the difference between a virtual office and coworking clear? Now, find out how to know which is best for your business.
Virtual office or coworking: which is more worthwhile?
Knowing that the monthly cost of a commercial space can be unfeasible for entrepreneurs or small businesses, both virtual offices and coworking are interesting options. What you need to do is think about your work profile, because the more personalized the service, the better.
In coworking, professionals share a single space during business hours. On the other hand, a virtual office does not provide a space for use, which can be a benefit for those who want a more flexible routine or do not feel the need to work with other people around them.
Because it offers a shared environment, coworking promotes collaboration between people. The virtual office encourages privacy , seriousness and removes the traditional pressure of “going to work”, since you can make your deliveries from wherever you are.
If you need a more private environment to dedicate yourself to your projects, the silence of a home office will be great, so a credible virtual office address can set your services apart. And if you need to meet your client in person, solutions such as meeting rooms can help you.
Looking at it from another angle, the virtual office offers a differential that goes beyond the advantages of coworking: a useful address for bureaucratic purposes. The service includes the provision of the fiscal address for use in documents such as articles of association , CNPJ, invoices, contracts with clients and suppliers, communication with the tax authorities and other official obligations.
When compared to coworking, virtual offices also come out ahead in terms of customization. The package you purchase can include everything from your company's address to scheduling and assistance in opening your business. You can have everything you need to take good care of your company in just one place.
Ultimately, it all depends on your needs. While coworking only impacts your daily work routine, a virtual office affects the regularization and promotion of your business.
How to choose between virtual office and coworking?
To understand which one to choose, you can compare services according to your needs and think long-term. But remember that one service does not exclude the other .
You can choose a coworking space if:
need a space to work in person from time to time;
enjoys interacting with other professionals on a daily basis;
needs to expand your networking.
Now, the virtual office is the best option if you:
need a suitable address to open or regularize your CNPJ;
want to promote your brand in a renowned location;
need a professional mail management service.
And the best part is that even those who hire a virtual office can count on physical spaces when they need them. Here at Company Hero, for example, our clients can rent meeting rooms for hours or days to hold their in-person meetings whenever they need. This is an exclusive service that we offer to those who hire our Virtual Offices .
Combining digital resources to attract customers and using space rental solutions to make a good impression is a winning combination. Use technological tools to your advantage, both in terms of communicating with the market and when it comes to reducing fixed costs.