There's so much to take care of when you're in the process of starting a business, and one of your main concerns is likely to be where exactly to base your operations. Whilst renting or buying office space in the traditional sense may seem like the only viable option, there's another opportunity available to you in the form of virtual offices. Giving you a professional business address to publish on all your promotional materials at an affordable price while you work from home can be just the solution if you're trying to save costs in the early days. Here, we talk you through what you need to know.

Firstly, does having a professional address for your business really make a difference? This is something that has been the subject of much debate, though the resounding answer is yes. When you're working from a business address, you send a clear message to potential customers and suppliers. Even if you're a one-man band, you can compete with the big boys and show that you're running a professional operation that can really deliver. In this respect, a virtual office can be one of the best investments you can make for your business.

Another important consideration is the flexibility that having a virtual office can offer. Many providers will allow their virtual office customers to rent out a meeting room for the day or just for a few hours if necessary. This sort of available resource is excellent when you're trying to build a business, and means that you're never left in a panic at the last minute.

So, what about getting your virtual office set up and ready to go? There's likely to be several providers in your local area, though it's fair to assume that not all of them will offer the same level of service. In many cases, it's wise to go for a big name like Regus. They have the experience and the expertise to provide the best service possible, and as they compete on a global scale, the prices are often the best value-for-money that you'll find.

As you can see, a virtual office can be just the solution you've been looking for when it comes to balancing cost with your business needs. Is it something that you've considered for your start-up?