Virtual Offices
The Pros and Cons of United Virtual Office
Published March 4th, 2009 by Jennifer LeClaire
United Virtual Office is pulling out the social media stops to market its product. The company launched a media blitz complete with a press release and a multi-party video that aims to educate the market on virtual offices.
United Virtual Office is pushing the message that “perception is everything” – and it wants entrepreneurs to have access to a premier address and a suite of virtual office services that help them compete in an opportunity economy. United Virtual also wants entrepreneurs to know that it has “carefully crafted” its offerings and service levels to appeal to all budgets.
United Virtual Office’s services run the gamut from having a simple address any of their locations around the globe – United Virtual has more than 600 locations to choose from – to mail forwarding services and team of receptionists and secretaries trained to react at a moments notice.
“Our team often hears sighs of relief from our many new customers, stating that the virtual office packages we provide were exactly the kind of service they were looking for – especially by those recently displaced because of current economic conditions,” the company said in a statement. “Our virtual office services allows our clients to focus on their business with confidence in knowing that our highly proficient, customer-centric oriented team, technology and access to world class business locations are never more than a mouse-click or phone call away. We help our clients focus on their businesses, not on their office.”
Pick Your Package
United Virtual Office offers two packages – but they don’t offer the price up front. This is very frustrating for someone searching for virtual office space. All I can discern without diving through their selection process is that there’s a $100 one-time set up fee, which is extremely unattractive in this market. I also discovered that you have to sign up for six or 12 months. That’s also extremely unattractive in this market. So far, I am having a hard time figuring out how this package was “carefully crafted.”
What do they offer? The Platinum Package gets you a “world-class” business address, a-la-carte mail delivery and forwarding, a main lobby receptionist, and personal mail box number. A Platinum Plus Package offers all that, plus up to 16 hours of officing time per month in a “state-of-the-art” conference or meeting room. If you want a main building directory listing, professional secretarial and administrative support services, or use of an on-site professional Business Support Center, that’s extra. But, again, the company doesn’t offer the costs.
I clicked the “buy now” button because I wanted to see how far along United Virtual Office would make me travel before telling me the price. So I clicked Florida on the map and chose Hollywood, then selected a virtual office at 4700 Sheridan Street. This is hardly a world-class address, by the way. Ocean Drive or maybe Young Circle might qualify, but not Sheridan Street. When I selected this option, I finally discovered that my Platinum Package is $100 a month and the Platinum Plus Package is $190 a month. United Virtual’s prices change from place to place, which is understandable, but I still feel the company could offer a range without making you jump through all those hoops.
A Trusted Brand
Despite the pricing hoops, United Virtual Office seems to deliver the goods in terms of service. United Virtual has been recognized by two of the housing industry’s largest electronic publications: MortgageTrends and RealEstatePro News. Both have named United Virtual the company of choice for entrepreneurs and businesses that need the convenience, facilities and services of a physical office without the high costs of renting a bricks-and-mortar location. No doubt about it, even at $190, it’s a good deal.
LegalPro News and InsurancePro Times, the leading B2B publications for their respective industries, have also endorsed United Virtual. As Jonathan Cosie sees it, United Virtual is very sincerely interested in helping its clients and goes way above and beyond the call of duty in everything it does for individuals, professionals and businesses that use their services.
“During random testing, never once did we encounter an unfriendly receptionist, or were we able to tell at all that we were calling a virtual office. These days, this is powerful. Really powerful. This is the kind of service that allows for growth and recovery – and we are all for it,” says Cosie, editor and founder of MortgageTrends, RealEstatePro News, LegalPro News and InsurancePro Times, published by The Midtown Consulting Group. “Even better, United Virtual Office plans to expand it’s offerings by adding even more locations and by being ahead of the game in regards to it’s new technology and time-saving services offered to the mobile professional.”
Related posts:
- The pros and cons of virtual offices Virtual offices can be the most professional officing option for...
- Go Global with Global Virtual Solutions Globalization. It’s a big word, but it doesn’t have to...
- Virtual Office Offers 12 Months Web Hosting Free It’s been said that it’s hard to compete with free....
- Global Virtual Office Solutions Sets Record Straight In an effort to demonstrate how virtual offices are making...
- Virtual Office Spin-Offs Springing Up in Down Economy One of the downsides of a virtual office is the...
- Davinci Virtual Explains Virtual Office Benefits to AP The Associated Press is the latest major media outlet to...
- Forbes Features Davinci Virtual Offices Forbes magazine is extolling the virtues of virtual offices. You...
- GoVirtual Launches Virtual Office in D.C. Metro GoVirtual. It’s yet another new virtual office upstart. When I...
About the Author
Maggie Correta March 4th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
United Virtual Office is a great brand, but I can see how the lack of transparency over pricing could bother you. It makes you feel like they are luring you in with all the benefits of virtual offices so that by the time they offer up the price tag you almost don’t care what it costs. It’s an old sales tool — and I bet it still works. But in this economy, I think leading with the low price would be far better.
Bill Brookshire March 4th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
This looks like one of those networks of virtual office space. In other words, it doesn’t look like United runs them all. I could be wrong, but based on what I saw on the web site, that’s what it looked like to me. I don’t like those networks. If I am buying from a brand I want a consistent brand experience, whether that’s McDonald’s or virtual offices.
Rob Zeus March 5th, 2009 at 6:08 am
Bill is right. This is a network of virtual offices, which means United Virtual Office is just a shell. The company doesn’t own its own assets the way a Regus does. I don’t like this approach. I never have. I’d rather know exactly who I am dealing with at all times.
Elizabeth Sanchez March 5th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I think people are much better off going with a company like Davinci or Regus. I didn’t like what I saw from United Virtual Office. The reason they can’t just give you a price is because it is one of those networks that several different virtual office providers share. So there are variables involved. I’d rather deal with a proven brand that I know is accountable. Virtual office services are too important to leave to chance.
Melanie Jones March 5th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I don’t think it really matters whether it’s a network or not. So long as the virtual office service is reliable, that’s all that matters. United Virtual Office has great endorsements from targeted media. I think that speaks volumes. I get what you all are saying, but most people probably wouldn’t notice or care if their virtual office is part of a network, so long as they get what they need.
harmonsmith April 16th, 2009 at 4:34 am
A virtual office is an excellent alternative which can save up to 78% of the cost of traditional office services. I am also running a small business using this facility by valleyhq I am very satisfied and feel like I am able to increase my business now.