Why a Virtual Mailbox Service Is Essential for Startups 

Most startup businesses launch operations at home. But, as you grow your enterprise, it’s a bad idea to give your home address for work-related matters. It can come off as unprofessional, potentially damaging your brand’s credibility. It also compromises your safety and privacy. Clarity on this issue is essential for startups to have the best shot at success. 

It’s fair to say that most startups can’t afford to lease an office right away. That’s no problem! After all, many successful businesses started in a garage. However, having a formal address does obviously help establish a professional image. 

Luckily, there are two options that every startup can avail of to present their company in a much better light.

The first is holding business operations in coworking spaces. While the second is utilizing a virtual mailbox service.

The first option is no big secret. Big brand companies such as Uber, Instagram, Indiegogo, and Spotify have all raved about this office alternative as a vital component of their success.

Can you blame them? After all, what's not to like about coworking spaces? 

You can make great savings while collaborating with other professionals in an environment conducive to productivity. What’s more, the best coworking spaces also offer a wide range of services. These include secure 24/7 access, flexible payment methods for full-floor private offices, and unlimited printing just to name a few. 

If you’re interested in learning more about how coworking spaces can benefit your startup, here’s an article you’ll find very insightful. 

Moving on to the second option, virtual mailbox services. 

For starters, a virtual mailbox service is a secure facility that receives and stores your postal mail and packages. 

The definition is pretty straightforward… So, what makes this essential for startups? 

Read on to find out why your startup simply can’t thrive without it: 

1. Access your mail from virtually anywhere in the world

Being an entrepreneur or digital nomad, you’ll always be on the go, leaving your mail unattended for days, sometimes weeks. One of the biggest issues for every budding businessperson is trying to pinpoint and respond to important mail immediately. 

When you use a virtual mailbox service, you can easily access all your mail through an app management system on your mobile device. 

Here’s how it works: 

You sign up for a mailing address that suits you best. Your virtual mailbox service provider then takes photos of ALL incoming envelopes. You’ll then get a notification through their app. When you view the mail, you can then submit an action request whether to have the mail:

• Picked up
• Scanned
• Recycled
• Shredded
• Check deposited
• Forwarded to your chosen location 

 * Most virtual mailbox services will allow you to store your mail for as long as you like. 

2. Establish a professional business address

Every legitimate business will require a physical address. A virtual mailbox also offers a permanent business address that can receive and store all your valuable mail even if you operate from multiple locations. 

In today’s era where most small businesses are run remotely, a virtual mailbox is the best solution to boost your business image. 

By having a professional business address, you become more trusted in the eyes of potential customers and clients.

3. Efficient mail management system

Efficiency is essential for startups if they are going to stand any chance of surviving and thriving. 

With everything that goes on in running a successful business, you definitely have more important matters to attend to. Sorting through countless - sometimes useless - mail is a hassle no entrepreneur needs to face in today’s digitized economy. 

Having a virtual mailbox allows you to become more efficient and professional. You can quickly respond to matters that need your attention. 

Moreover, your virtual mailbox service provider will do all the sorting for you. So when the time comes that you do need to pick up your mail, you won’t have to worry about misplacing any valuable documents. 

4. Phone support

If there’s one aspect of every business that customers expect, it's human interaction. 

Every business will receive multiple calls in a day. When a customer service hotline answers with an automated message, it’s frustrating and causes a negative image of your business.  

A live answering service is a game-changer for startups. It improves customer retention and boosts your brand’s credibility by creating a strong first impression. 

All successful businesses integrate phone support or live answering services. This ensures every customer’s queries are valued knowing a live agent is there to respond to their call every time. 

When you or your staff take multiple calls in a day, it’s time-consuming and diverts everyone’s attention from essential tasks. Live agents, on the other hand, can be trained to handle different situations, follow scripts, and respond to calls immediately to ensure an exceptional customer experience.  

In summary, 

A virtual mailbox service is essential for startups. It’s a simple, efficient solution to one of the biggest challenges of every entrepreneur - time management. A virtual mailbox service is flexible to your needs and gives your business the credibility it deserves. 

For simplicity, think of a virtual mailbox as a more advanced version of a post office (P.O.) box. Aside from being able to store all your mail in one secure location, a virtual mailbox can: 

• Deliver the mail directly to your preferred location
• Establish a legitimate business address
• Organize your mail through your mobile device
• Reduce clutter
• Provide live-answering customer support
• Protect the environment through a paperless filing system

If those advantages sound appealing to you, we highly recommend signing up for The Farm SoHo’s virtual mailbox services. 

Apart from the benefits mentioned above, a virtual mailbox membership with The Farm SoHo entitles you to the following perks too:

• Discount on event spaces and conference rooms
• Expedited & international forwarding
• On-site receptionist
• Perks and discounts from The Farm SoHo’s partner merchants
• Registered agent services
• One free access to coworking spaces every month