Crafting a Faux Office Setup

Not every small business needs a physical office. Some thrive perfectly from the business owner’s home. Solopreneurs often enjoy more flexibility than other types of entrepreneurs. One big perk of this kind of setup is that you don’t need an office. I’ve managed without one for years and highly recommend it to anyone who likes working in their pajamas and saving on overhead costs.

But while I love the freedom of not having an office, I don’t always love the perception that comes with it. If people know you’re working from your dining table and using your personal cell phone for business, they might not take you seriously. To avoid your business looking like a mere hobby, here are some tricks to make it seem like you have a traditional office.

First, get a professional office address. Places like the UPS store offer business mailboxes with real street addresses. FedEx and other companies have similar services too. To anyone checking, it’ll appear as if you rent office space there. The store staff can also sign for and hold your packages. This means you won’t be disturbed by unexpected visitors at odd hours.

Another way to create the impression of having an office is to have a dedicated office and fax number. Relying solely on a cell phone number can make you appear unprofessional. I recommend Google Voice for an office number—it’s free, web-based, and can be forwarded to almost any number. You can even customize which numbers to ring when. Plus, you can make and receive calls directly from your Gmail.

Although faxes are less common now, some businesses still use them. If you need a fax number, consider using the services available at the place where you got your office mailbox or your local library. You’ll pay per page, but you won’t be caught off guard when a client asks for your fax number. If you frequently need to send and receive faxes, an electronic fax service might be more convenient.

If your business involves a lot of calls or administrative work, think about hiring a virtual assistant. They can answer calls and handle admin tasks, freeing you up to focus on your core activities. This allows you to manage your business from anywhere, even while brainstorming in the park.

Lastly, coworking spaces are a fantastic option to fake having an office. Many provide dedicated desk space, a real mailing address, and fax privileges. They often offer meeting rooms too, which is great for holding business meetings in a professional setting rather than at a café or your client’s office.