Frequently Asked Questions

What is a virtual office?

A virtual office is a collection of services that allow your business to operate as if you had a full-time office space and staff.  Virtual offices are the natural evolution of a traditional office designed for the 21st Century businessperson—combining technology with a full-service approach to give you a truly modern experience.

What services does a virtual office provide?

A virtual office provides three main areas of service: address and mail servicesmeeting spaces, and reception services.  We also offer several additional services to further enhance your business.

What are the advantages of a virtual office?

A virtual offices saves your business money, frees up your time, and allows you to conduct business wherever you prefer—all without sacrificing the professionalism your clients expect.

How much does a virtual office cost?

A Global Business Centers virtual office package starts at just $165 per month—less than 1/10 the cost of a traditional office.  When you factor in the costs of hiring a receptionist, paying taxes, and all of the other small expenses that come along with a traditional office, a Global Business Centers virtual office is truly an incredible value.

Is a virtual office tax deductible?

Yes.  Just like other small business expenses, your monthly virtual office costs are indeed tax deductible.

How long should I have a virtual office for my business?

This largely depends on the individual needs of your business.  If your business sees rapid growth and dedicated staff becomes necessary, it may be time for you to transition to a full-time office space.  However, many of our members with an established businesses have continued to utilize their virtual office services for many years.  If you do think it may be time to get a full-time space for your business, our executive suites provide the same full-service benefits of our virtual offices.

Does a virtual office require a long-term contract?

No.  All of our virtual office agreements are month-to-month standard.  If you're looking to pre-pay for multiple months of service, we may be able to provide you with a discounted rate—contact us to discuss further.

How long does it take to set up a virtual office?

While we ask that you give our staff two business days to set up your virtual office, the setup process is typically started right when we receive your order (if during business hours) and is complete within a few hours.  You will receive a welcome email once all of your services have been set up and activated.

How can I arrange a tour?

Contact us and we can schedule a tour at your earliest convenience.

Can I use my virtual address as my legal business address?

Yes.  Your Global Business Centers address is a USPS authorized PMB and can be used as your legal business address.

Can I recieve mail at a virtual office?

Yes.  All of your mail can be delivered to our mailroom, and unlike a PO Box, you can also recieve package and courrier deliveries.  Our full-service mailroom also allows you to send out mail and packages using any major shipping provider.

Can I have my mail forwarded to me?

Yes.  If you're not able (or just prefer not) to stop by and pick up your mail, we can provide both automatic and one-time mail forwarding.  We've also launched a new service, GBC PostalCloud, which provides you with external scans of your incoming mail and gives you the option to select individual items to be forwarded to you.

Can I host meetings in a virtual office?

 Yes.  We have a selection of spaces designed for meetings of all sizes.  Our luxury conference rooms are perfect for larger meetings and seminars and our day offices are perfect for individual meetings or just getting some work done.

How much meeting space time is included with a virtual office?

Our Gold and Platinum virtual office packages include 4 and 8 hours of meeting space time per billing cycle, respectively.  If your virtual office package does not include any hours (or if you've reached your monthly allotment) you are always able to reserve a space at our hourly, daily, or weekly rates.

Can I rent a meeting space for one-time use?

Yes.  If you are not a Global Business Centers member and wish to book a meeting space at an hourly, daily, or weekly rate, please contact us and we can reserve a room for you.

What is a live receptionist?

Live receptionists are members of our staff who will answer your calls and greet any walk-in clients you may have.  When you receive a call, they will greet your callers with your custom greeting and provide specified business information (such as your email or hours of operation).  If your attention is required, they will call you, provide you with the caller's information, and allow you to screen it.  If you choose to accept the call, our system allows them to instantly transfer the call over.

What is the difference between our receptionists and a call center?

With a call center, the person answering your phone could be anywhere in the world, stuck in a room answering call after call.  Our live receptionists take the time to learn and understand your business, and sit at our front desk where they also greet any of your walk-in clients.