Virtual Offices in London FAQs: Everything You Need to Know

Virtual offices are fast becoming one of the most in-demand workspace solutions as businesses worldwide embrace the power of remote working.

Originally developed by Servcorp, virtual offices are cost-efficient, flexible and are designed to support the functioning of remote companies, start-ups, and workers.

But what exactly is a virtual office? And does my fully remote business really need a virtual office?

Our comprehensive guide will break down all you need to know about virtual offices in the UK and how your business can benefit from having a virtual office in London. 

How do virtual offices in London work?

A virtual office is a service that provides businesses with a professional business address and a variety of office services, all without the need for a physical office lease.

It’s got all of the benefits of a traditional office without having to step foot into the office to access these services.

London virtual offices provide 3 key services:

• A London business address that can be used as your trading address.
• Mail handling and forwarding services to take care of all your business mail needs.
• Telephone answering services such as call directing and message forwarding.

Learn more about virtual telephone answering.

Beyond the basics, virtual offices can offer a range of additional perks, depending on the provider. This includes:

• Business support services such as access to administrative and IT assistance.
• Access to coworking spaces, meeting rooms, private offices, and other physical spaces.
• Wi-Fi, VPNs, and other technical infrastructures make running your business remotely a whole lot easier.

Because of their flexibility, a virtual office plan can be paid for on a month-to-month basis rather than being locked into a long-term contract.

How to set up your virtual office in 3 easy steps

1. Select the virtual office service on the provider's website
2. Confirm the virtual address and office you want your business located in
3. Proceed to payment (Good to know: a great provider will offer you your first month free, so you’ll only need to pay any set-up fees) 

From here your service provider will reach out with confirmation of your virtual office plan and all the information to get started.

Set Up a Virtual Office in the City Of London

What are the costs of a virtual office in London?

As of 2024, the average cost sits between £15-¢35 per month. The lowest currently advertised on the market is 40p per month, whilst the upper limit is priced at over £250 per month.

This fluctuation in prices for a virtual office is a result of the differences in virtual office packages on the market, with some offering an abundance of first-class services, whilst others only covering the basics.

Whilst a cheap virtual office may initially seem like a great bargain, you may end up paying more in the long run.

For example, a virtual office package only offering mail forwarding services and virtual business address services means that businesses will still need to cover other remote working amenities essential to modern office working.

Separately paying for high-speed internet, access to meeting rooms, and administerial and tech supports are a significantly bigger drain to company budgets than paying more for a virtual office with these services included.

The location of the virtual office address also plays a role in influencing the cost of a virtual office package. Some businesses pay top dollar to secure office locations in highly sought-after business centres to project a professional business image. A prestigious central London address in a hub like Square Mile, for example, will cost more than a virtual office in Stratford.

So whilst £35 or even 40p seems like a great deal on paper, the true price of a virtual office depends on what is and isn’t included. 

Compare London Virtual Office Packages

What are the benefits of having a virtual office in London?

• A professional business image: Having a prestigious business address rather than a home address establishes increases your business’ reputation and credibility. By capitalising on the virtual business address service, you take your company’s brand to the next level.
• Cost savings: As discussed above, a virtual office is a much more budget-friendly option for businesses than either traditional offices or paying for the business support remote workers need.
• Business scalability: Virtual offices are easily adaptable. As your business grows, you can simply add or remove services as needed for new users, without the burden of a long-term physical lease.
• IT and admin support services: Access to technical and secretarial support as part of your London virtual office is a game changer. Outsourcing these jobs to your virtual supports rather than having to employ additional people saves time, money, and resources.
• Flexibility: Virtual office customers allow their employees to work remotely, fostering a better work-life balance and potentially attracting a wider talent pool not limited to a specific location.
• Increased productivity: Remote workers enjoying easy access to support provided by a virtual office service greatly increases their overall productivity.

Virtual Office vs Home Office: Which One is Right for You?

How do I choose the right virtual office provider?

Determine what services and amenities you need for your company to thrive

First off, when choosing the right service provider, you need to define your business needs. Identify the must-have features your business can’t do without and consider if the value of additional perks is required.

Whilst a call answering service may be a non-negotiable, access to private individual offices might not be suitable. 

Find the right virtual office business address to suit your business

Securing the right London virtual office address may be one of the best business decisions you make.

But whilst a central London address is almost guaranteed to be a blessing, it may not place you in the most advantageous positions for your industry

You may find that locating your business in a prime address that is close to your competitors and clients may be far more beneficial than being in a more affluent pocket.

For example, if you own a limited company operating in accounting, you may find that Canary Wharf might be the better fit. This is because Canary Wharf is home to major companies like KPMG, JP Morgan, EY, HSBC and many others it’s strategically important to have close by.

Research the top providers

As virtual office solutions providers begin to pop up all over the city, research is key to picking the best one.

Go beyond Googling ‘best virtual office London’ by either searching through Companies House or contacting reputable and well-established service providers.

A great provider will also offer a trial period to see if the location and services are the right fit for your needs.

Can I use my virtual office address as my registered business address?

Yes, you can. Virtual offices became popular because of their registered office address service.

Using your virtual office address as your registered company address is a convenient solution for start-ups, sole contractors, and fully remote teams that are legally required to have a registered office.

When you use a virtual office as your business address, it becomes your official correspondence address. As your legal address, government entities, HRMC and Companies House will  

Companies House will also list your virtual address as your registered office address, which can be included in all your company’s communications and marketing materials.

Learn more about using your virtual office as your registered business address.

Do virtual office providers offer meeting room or coworking access?

As discussed earlier, the offerings in virtual office services depend on what’s included by the service provider.

Meeting rooms, office space and coworking access are a features that not all virtual office packages have. A good provider, however, will not only grant you access to these spaces in and outside of business hours, but will also ensure you gain the benefits these office spaces are prized for.

Collaborating with other businesses, networking and opportunities to build professional connections are key features that your business won’t want to miss out on.

Booking these spaces will be relatively easy depending on the provider, with some high-end ones utilising the power of remote booking through apps to secure the room whenever you wish.  

Typically, your virtual office address will be where your coworking spaces are located. But some providers may even allow you to visit other virtual office locations as well if required for teams that travel or have business trips.

Finding the perfect virtual office

Choosing the right virtual office provider hinges on understanding your specific business needs and priorities.

Servcorp’s all-inclusive virtual office service and highly regarded reputation empower your business to thrive in the remote work landscape. 

Our team of experts are here to help set up your virtual office in one of our prestigious virtual office addresses in London. Reach out to our in-house team via phone call or our online form.