Question 1

What is an Alliance Virtual Office?

Accepted Answer

A Virtual Office from Alliance is a combination of on-demand space and address services for the remote worker. It provides professional offices and meeting rooms, with a corporate address for receiving mail for local pickup or forwarding to an address of your choice. It allows entrepreneurs to have a physical presence throughout the US and globally, without committing to a full-time office lease. Additional services include a professional live receptionist service, a business phone number, and a VoIP phone system.

Question 2

What is the difference between Alliance Virtual Offices and a PO Box location?

Accepted Answer

A PO Box is a mailing address typically located at a retail postal store (also known as “pack and ship” store). A Virtual Office from Alliance provides a business address with a professional, fully serviced office that can be used to meet clients, work in privately for a day, or carry out any other typical office requirements.

Our addresses can be used for mail, as well as important requirements such as business licensing and LLC formation. The center is professionally staffed and equipped with ready-to-use workspace, enabling established entrepreneurs and startups to work and conduct meetings on-demand. Our virtual office centers are typically located in central business districts or suburban office parks occupied by other professional, entrepreneurial and startup communities.

Question 3

I want a virtual office. Where do I start?

Accepted Answer

Start by searching for a Virtual Office location on our website. Simply type in a city, postal code, or US state.

Once you have found a Virtual Office location, select a plan from the options available. Platinum is our standard Virtual Office plan, and Platinum Plus includes access to meeting rooms for a set amount of hours each month (in most cases this is 16 hours, but some locations offer fewer hours).

You can add services at any time, such as mail forwarding, a Live Receptionist service, or a Virtual Phone plan.

Need help choosing the right service for your business? Chat with our team online or a contact us here.

Question 4

Can I register an LLC using a Virtual Office?

Accepted Answer

A Virtual Office address can usually be included on the Articles of Organization for LLC or entity registration. We advise reviewing the requirements in your state as regulations change from time to time.

To learn more, read our guide about registering a company using a virtual office address: Using a Virtual Office for LLC Registration.

Question 5

How often is my mail forwarded and what is the cost?

Accepted Answer

Mail forwarding can be added to any Virtual Office plan quickly and easily. Mail can be forwarded on a daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, starting from just $10 (plus postage or courier fees).

If forwarding is not required, mail can be collected at the center during business hours at no additional cost. Up to three people can be nominated to collect mail on behalf of your company.

Question 6

Does a Virtual Office include meeting room usage?

Accepted Answer

Alliance’s premium ‘Platinum Plus’ Virtual Office plan includes additional hours of meeting room and office usage, every month (hours vary depending on location). Our standard Virtual Office plans don’t automatically include meeting room usage – plans can be easily upgraded, or onsite meeting space can be booked by the hour as needed.

Find a meeting room on the Alliance Virtual Offices website and book online or over the phone.

Question 7

How do I find out about current Virtual Office promotions?

Accepted Answer

We update our promotions every month. Please check our website and this list of Promo Codes for the latest special offers.

Question 8

How Does the Live Receptionist Service Work?

Accepted Answer

Our receptionists have all been extensively trained to answer phones for a variety of companies, in a friendly and professional manner.

Every time someone calls your number our software will display this information to our receptionists. This enables our receptionists to provide a personalized greeting in your company name.

During the call, our receptionists can take a message, forward the call to you or a colleague, forward to voicemail, or schedule a call-back based on your availability (we use your existing business calendar, or we provide an online calendar app, for free).

You have full control over the call answering and screening process, including how your callers are greeted and which calls are forwarded.

Each Live Receptionist plan comes with a set amount of live answering minutes per month: 50, 100, or 200 (more minutes are available). Our receptionists are available to answer calls from Monday - Friday 8am-9pm (Eastern), and on Saturdays 9am-7pm (Eastern). You can adjust your plan quickly and easily, at any time.

Question 9

What is a Virtual Phone system?

Accepted Answer

A virtual phone (or VoIP) system enables you to make and receive phone calls over the Internet. Unlike a traditional landline, a virtual phone works with WiFi-enabled devices such as smartphones, laptops, or tablets, which makes it ideal for remote workers. Since it’s web-based, it’s cost-effective too.

Alliance offers a Virtual Phone plan that includes a dedicated business number and a virtual phone system with helpful features such as auto-attendant, caller menus, customized greetings, and more. Our Virtual Phone offers an app that you can use on your iOS or Android device. It enables you to dial out using your private business number rather than using your personal cell.

Question 10

I need an occasional office or meeting room for a few hours per week. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

You can easily book office space and meeting rooms through Alliance on an hourly, half-day, or full-day basis. Find your nearest venue here and book online or over the phone. Our team confirms your booking with the center, including any special requests. For frequent usage, you may like to consider our Platinum Plus Virtual Office, which includes additional discounted meeting room or private office usage each month. The number of hours included in the plan varies by location.

Question 11

How do I book a meeting room online?

Accepted Answer

Go to our meeting rooms page section and type a city into the search bar. Select your meeting room location from the list of results.

Enter the desired date and time, choose your room, then checkout. Pay online through our secure platform and our meeting room specialist will confirm your meeting arrangements (during business hours).

Alternatively, phone us with your meeting room requirements and our team will process the booking on your behalf. Once we have confirmed availability with the center, we will provide confirmation (during business hours). If you have any last-minute changes or special requests, please contact our team and we’ll arrange this for you.

Question 12

What does the coworking plan include?

Accepted Answer

A coworking plan with Alliance includes full-time access to the workspace based on the operator’s opening hours. You will have use of a workstation with Internet connectivity, and a variety of beverages such as coffee, tea and water. Onsite staff provides help and support when needed.

Question 13

How does a coworking space work?

Accepted Answer

Coworking spaces offer a variety of amenities including private offices, meeting rooms, and shared space. It’s a ready-to-use work environment with secure access, desks, and onsite staff to offer help and support. With many companies adopting remote and hybrid work agreements, coworking gives people the option to work flexibly by providing a professional environment in convenient locations near home.

Question 14

Who manages the Virtual Office centers?

Accepted Answer

Our center partners are predominantly independent workspaces and business centers that provide high quality amenities and professional services. We have a close relationship with the centers in our network, often extending to several years and even decades.

While most office products are provided by our center partners, Alliance does provide a Live Receptionist service directly. Find out more about our Live Receptionist service here.