How to Create a Free Virtual Office
Business today operates globally, not just trade and commerce of goods, but increasingly data and information processing operations. With today's sophisticated computer-driven business machines, it's easy to create a virtual office that operates for little or no significant out-of-pocket expense beyond the initial expense of equipment purchases and setup. The goal is to create a rent-free, quiet office that no one notices in your basement or bedroom corner, due to of the seamless operation of your office infrastructure.
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Things You'll Need
- Landline phone
- Mobile phone
- Computer
- Software
- Multifunction business machine
Instructions
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1
Secure the best possible telephone equipment you can afford. Unlike when the phone service carrier was important, service providers today are numerous. You can get landline phone service from a phone company, cable provider and even Magic Jack. High-quality phone equipment ensures your business's phone system has multiple functions like hold (or flash) and conference calling. Get good equipment that can survive the inevitable accidental fall to dial another day. Get a mobile phone too, preferably a Smart phone that allows you to check email and the Internet when you're traveling.
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2
Purchase service for at least two phone lines, one for voice and one for fax. You can operate your fax system by sharing a single phone line, but this may make your office appear unsophisticated to clients or customers.You can purchase a stand-alone fax machine for as little as $70, and scanners are inexpensive machines too. Fax machines and scanners prove to be important to facilitate distribution of original documents.
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3
Select a computer with the latest hard-drive technology such as dual or quad-core processors. Consider buying a laptop model, which gives you more mobility and flexibility as to where you can access your work and the Internet. Use professional business software on your business computer and not home and student versions, so you can create and edit documents in software programs used by most businesses.
Take the best service warranty offered on your new computer, as invariably you will encounter technical problems with computer hardware and you'll want a "computer geek" to help.
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4
Consider buying an all-in-one business machine that can print in color, scan, and perhaps even fax documents. A computer without a printer is like a table without legs. The ability to fax or scan an original document so it can be emailed is a real time saver.
Even though you pay for monthly phone services and Internet access, beyond those recurring expenses and refills of printer ink and toner, your office can function full-service virtually free.
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Investigate the use of a professional outside call service to answer your phones when you are away. These services have a surprisingly low monthly cost. Having a live operator on the line adds to your business's appearance of size, capability and staff even if these too are virtual.
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