Renting a virtual office in Singapore helps startups, freelancers, and international companies establish a credible presence without the cost of a traditional office space. Furthermore, virtual offices also provide startups with access to useful services such as mail handling and forwarding.
Still, not all virtual office providers offer the same level of reliability or quality. Many virtual office plans look similar at first, but the services they offer can vary widely. This underscores the importance of knowing what to look for before signing up for a virtual office package.
When looking for a virtual office to rent, there are some key considerations to consider, not just for operational smoothness, but also for business growth. Here is a guide to help you choose a virtual office that suits your business needs.
As a budding business venture, startups and small businesses have to maximise their expenditures on results that matter. This means focusing on core operations, marketing, and establishing rapport with potential clients. The housekeeping and logistics associated with a traditional office, however, don’t carry the same weight as the aforementioned mission-critical tasks.
Because of this, more and more ventures are turning to virtual offices. If the founders are working from home, a virtual office allows these businesses to protect their founders’ residential address, securing their privacy.
However, while a virtual office might seem like a simple, straightforward service, it’s possible to still select the wrong one for your business. Here are some crucial considerations when selecting a virtual office:
The location of your virtual office address matters because it affects your credibility. A professional virtual office address creates a more credible and trustworthy image for your brand.
Before choosing a virtual office in Singapore, check if the address is a commercial property or a residential building. Some virtual office providers may offer low prices, but the office addresses they provide may not be suitable as official business addresses (e.g., residential addresses). A commercial building is a better choice because clients associate a commercial office address in Singapore with corporate professionalism and business integrity.
Furthermore, ACRA grants different permissions to companies and startups registered at home addresses via the Home Office Scheme compared to those registered in a business district. Those working under the Home Office Scheme (i.e., registered business addresses in residential areas) have more limited permissions. So, it’s imperative to take into account the location of the virtual office you plan to partner with.
As for foreign-registered businesses, a premium virtual office address helps international companies that need a reputable presence in Singapore. Having a professional business address in Singapore allows these foreign companies to register with ACRA, allowing them to expand into Singapore, even without a physical office space.
The next step is to review the virtual office services included in each plan. Every virtual office provider offers a different mix of features.
Here are standard services you should look for:
A virtual office address serves as your main touchpoint for official business correspondence. Because of this, you should pick a provider with reliable mail handling.
It’s important to note, however, that not all startups will have the same needs. As such, startups must gauge the services they need and can maximise before signing onto a package. However, if your business doesn’t need certain services, yet has decided to acquire the package containing them, the company would be paying overhead for unused features.
Prices vary across providers. Some offer basic virtual office plans that only include the registered office address service. Others provide premium virtual office packages with a long list of features.
Compare each virtual office package carefully. Pay attention to what is included in the base price. Some providers offer attractive rates but charge extra for essential services, such as weekly mail forwarding. Keep an eye on these hidden costs as well.
Always match the price with the value offered. The goal is to choose a virtual office suitable for what you need today.
Here at Parkway Suites, we provide an entry-level “Basic Virtual Office Address Rental Plan” at 13 cents daily. It includes a virtual office address at Paya Lebar Square, as well as mail alerts and forwarding (charges may apply). We found that this is what most startups really need to get started and expand their credibility in Singapore. Subscribers can upgrade their plan at any time.
The pricing structure can influence costs over time. Many virtual office providers separate certain services into add-ons.
Ask about the following:
Some virtual office address options seem affordable at first. However, ambiguity and misunderstanding around the pricing structure could lead businesses to spend more due to assumptions, such as the belief that mail forwarding is already included in the package rate, for example.
A transparent pricing structure is important. It helps you budget long-term and avoid surprises for each billing cycle.
A virtual office does not replace a physical office. However, there will be times when you need to collect mail, host a quick meeting, or use coworking spaces. When parcels and cheques are delivered to the virtual office, they’ll need to be forwarded to the business’ actual base of operations. Depending on the distance the courier has to travel, a company can incur additional costs.
Because of this, the distance between the virtual office and your actual operations matters. Choose a virtual office with a location that is easy for your team to reach. If self-collection is part of your routine, a convenient physical location will save time.
Some businesses never visit the virtual office. Others visit often. Consider how your team works before picking an address in Singapore.
The needs of a startup will change over time. When looking for a virtual office to rent, check whether the provider offers features that support future growth.
Some businesses start with a basic virtual business address. As they grow, they simply upgrade their subscription to a higher-tier one that provides more features. A provider that offers flexible virtual office plans makes it easier to scale.
Sometimes, a physical place for client meetings or internal discussions from time to time would be needed. Coworking spaces are a key feature in many virtual office solutions.
When reviewing your options, check:
Do note, however, that due to the widespread use of Zoom and other online collaboration tools, coworking space availability isn’t necessarily a deal breaker for most startups.
Here at Parkway Suites, those subscribed to our Premium Virtual Office Address Rental Plan (49 cents per day) receive 2 free hours of access per month to our coworking spaces. Usage of our coworking spaces comes with free drinks.
Customer feedback is a simple way to learn more about a virtual office provider. Reviews reveal how responsive the staff are and whether the company delivers its services as promised.
It’s crucial to look for reviews in directories, such as Yelp and Google Maps, rather than on the company website. Reviews on directories are more open, accessible, varied, and, as a result, more detailed, whereas those on the company website tend to be cherry-picked.
A reliable virtual office provider will have consistent, positive reviews. These reviews help you filter out options with weak service quality.
For startups, agility is everything. A virtual office allows new businesses to operate without committing to the costs of a physical workspace. Instead of spending limited capital on rent, furniture, and utilities, startups can channel those resources into product development, marketing, or talent. This flexibility makes virtual offices an ideal solution for early-stage companies.
Beyond cost savings, virtual offices offer essential administrative support that many new founders don’t have time to manage. Services like mail handling and forwarding help a startup appear established and reliable from day one. These services also legitimise the registered address by allowing the general public to send mail to it, and still be received by the founders.
The remote nature of virtual offices also empowers startups to build teams without geographical limitations. Adopting the new, digital-age setup allows startups to provide a work-life balance unlike any other.
The main advantage of a virtual office is that it provides businesses with a registered address in a corporate district, away from their actual base of operations. A business address located in a recognised corporate district provides the following benefits:
The best way to understand a virtual office is to reach out and speak with the provider. You can ask about the registered business address, mail handling process, and pricing. You can also confirm whether the provider is a good fit for your business operations.
Parkway Suites is an ideal choice for startups, freelancers, and international companies that want a professional office address in Singapore. In addition to a registerable address at Paya Lebar Square, we also offer mail forwarding services, cheque drop off, coworking spaces, and a range of other features that can support remote teams.
Get in touch with Parkway Suites today. Our team will guide you through your options and help you find the package that matches your needs.
Many startups operate entirely remotely. Visits may only be necessary for self-collection of mail, using coworking spaces, or handling specific administrative matters.
Yes. Virtual office providers often allow multiple clients to use the same address. However, ensure proper mail handling and forwarding are included to prevent mix-ups.
Yes. A virtual office can provide a professional presence for foreign-registered companies, allowing them to register with ACRA and conduct business legally in Singapore.
Most providers offer tiered virtual office plans or add-ons. You can upgrade for additional services like private offices, coworking spaces, or administrative support as your business grows.
Limits vary by provider. Some charge per item for forwarding or offer a set quota in the package. Clarify these details before subscribing to avoid unexpected costs.
