You don’t need a permanent office space or storefront to be considered a legitimate business. In fact, businesses of all sizes are going 100% remote and thriving because of it. 

While remote businesses save money on rent, utilities, and other expenses, business owners should invest in a few tools before embracing the virtual workspace. If you’re ready to make the switch, here’s a handy checklist to help you prepare for success as a remote company.

What Is a Virtual Business?

Today, nearly any business with the right tools can go virtual. The hallmark of every virtual corporation is the lack of a physical office or storefront. Instead, these companies work with customers, clients, and fellow employees online, using various digital tools to stay connected. Common types of businesses that are 100% remote include:

• Ecommerce
• Dropshipping
• Coaching
• Consultant
• Social Media Manager
• Marketing 
• Design
• Photography
• Developer
• Writer

Benefits of Starting a Remote Business

There was a limited amount of remote businesses before the COVID-19 pandemic, but attitudes have since shifted. Today, remote work has become the norm for corporations of all sizes. By simply conducting work remotely, companies are experiencing a multitude of new benefits, including:

• Lower Operating Expenses
• Access to Employees Worldwide
• Improved Morale
• Increased Productivity
• Decreased Carbon Footprint

10 Things Every Remote Business Needs

If you’re considering the virtual model for your new or existing business, make sure you’re ready before making the switch. Here are ten essentials that every remote business needs to get started.

1. Establish Your Business Plan

The cornerstone of nearly every successful business venture is a well-established business plan. This document includes a detailed summary of your mission and the marketing and sales strategies you plan to use along the way. 

Starting a business, in person or remote, also requires money. If you plan on securing a business loan, you’ll need a rock-solid business plan that includes expenses and a detailed budget.

2. Get a Virtual Business Address

Although you can run your business online, some things still require a physical address. If you want to apply for a loan, file for a business license, or open a business banking account, you’ll need a business address. Some small business owners choose to use their home address or a PO Box, but there are alternative options with more privacy and control. 

Virtual mailboxes offer a real physical address for your business needs, so you don’t have to use your own. These services also provide easy mail management and time-saving features, including the ability to view, forward, and organize your mail from anywhere in the world. For more information about virtual mailboxes, read our guide on How to Set Up a Virtual Mailbox.

3. Form an LLC or S-Corp

It’s not mandatory to form an LLC or S-Corp, but it can add legitimacy to your virtual company. By filing the proper paperwork to formalize your business structure, you open up the possibility of having investors or co-owners in the future. An LLC or S-Corp could also help you save on taxes.

4. Invest In Virtual Communication Tools

As a remote business, you'll need to find new ways to stay connected with employees, customers, and investors. Thankfully, there are many tools available with email, phone, and virtual chats that can boost your team's productivity. 

Select which tools are right for your business based on your current budget and your team's size. Many virtual tools offer a free trial or a scaled-down free version, allowing you to try before paying for the service. Here are some popular virtual communication tools to consider:

• Slack
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Google Meet
• GoToMeeting

5. Create a Professional Website & Logo 

Without a brick-and-mortar building, your virtual business will need to build its identity online. The best place to start is with a professional-looking website and logo. When designing each, keep colors consistent and select a design that represents your brand's identity and values.

6. Identify Roles & Responsibilities

After laying the groundwork, the next step is finding and hiring employees. Remote businesses can choose from a worldwide pool of candidates looking to work from home. When onboarding new employees or contractors, clearly identify roles, responsibilities, and expectations. In this way, you can help keep everyone on task, even when clocking in virtually. 

7. Track Progress With Project Management Tools

Many remote companies rely on project management software to keep track of their progress. These tools allow for easy collaboration and keep you and employees on task with deadlines and project analytics. You can access many of these tools through an app or web browser. 

Some popular project management tools for small businesses include: 

• Asana 
• Google Drive
• Airtable 
• Trello 
• Wrike
• MeisterTask
• Hive
• Dropbox

8. Delegate & Hire a Virtual Assistant 

Small business owners are constantly juggling multiple tasks at once, but a remote company can easily delegate extra work to a virtual assistant. From social media to website management, these assistants can help with a wide variety of tasks so you can focus on other aspects of your business. If cost is an issue, you can hire an overseas virtual assistant for an average of $3 to $10 an hour.

9. Protect Your Company's Data

You should always be protecting sensitive data and information online, especially if you are a virtual business. If you’re not sure how to protect your company’s data, start by providing employee work computers or purchasing a secure, virtual private network (VPN). Additionally, take the time to educate yourself and your employees on the danger of phishing and spam emails. Other ways to help keep your company protected include:

• Add two-factor authentication to log-ins for work programs, emails, and project management tools.
• Require all employees to change passwords regularly.
• Monitor data usage and users on network connections.
• Perform internal cyber security audits throughout the year.

10. Stay Connected With Online Meetings & Events

While there are many benefits to running a remote business, it’s difficult to feel connected to your team in a virtual workspace. To prevent burnout among team members, be proactive by investing in different ways to keep your company connected. For example, you can schedule virtual happy hours, promote team-building activities, or provide multiple ways for employees to interact, such as email, virtual chat, and video calls.

Take The First Step & Secure Your Virtual Business Address Today

SnapMailbox is the mailing solution for modern virtual businesses like yours. Get a professional business address and start managing your mail, forwarding packages, and depositing checks from anywhere. With our 30-day no-risk trial, you can test our service to see why we’re the right choice for your business. Claim your address, compare plans, and start your free trial today by visiting the SnapMailbox Plans Page.