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Virtual Office

Useful advice, tips and business news.

October 21, 2014
May 5, 2021

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What addresses are required when forming a company?

When applied to form a new company, you have to complete various addresses. Here’s a guide that explains what different types of addresses are needed.

When applied to form a new company, you have to complete various addresses. The requirements of the Companies House can sometimes lead to confusion, so this guide will explain the different types of addresses - including office management, administration, and secretary of address, correspondence address and home address common shareholder administrators - in short, why they are relevant.

Address of the head office

The company's head office; this is the direction in which authorities such as HMRC or Companies House will send all correspondence and legal documents. When thinking about your business address, you should bear in mind that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • Must be the same part of the United Kingdom, which is registered. For example, a company registered in England and Wales, registered office address cannot be in Scotland.
  • This could be your home address (but remember to be included in the public record).
  • If you do not use your home address, but not the owner of your property, you should check any lease, so you can use the address for commercial purposes.
  • You do not have to be the address of the trading business, but it could be.

Once your company has been formed, the law requires the disclosure of UK companies to include your postal address on company letterhead, business correspondence, requests, email messages, and the company's website.

Director / Secretary Address

This is the direction in which authorities such as HMRC or Companies House will send any correspondence with the director or secretary. When considering the directions, you should note that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • It can be anywhere in the world.
  • This may be the same as the location of the head office (but need not be).
  • This may be the same as the address of the worker (but note that will appear in public).
  • This could be the corporate address, because it is a complete address.

Each director's secretary may, if they wish, use a different directors service address or they may be one and the same. It is very common for the service address for all officers to be the same as the address of the company headquarters.

The usual residential address of a director

This is simply the address of the director`s house. Remember:

  • It will not be shown publicly.
  • This may be the same as the address of the office (remember that the address of the Office is disclosed on the public record).
  • This may be the same address of the service

Shareholder's mailing address

You must provide an email address, to each of the shareholders (often referred to as customers), of a newly formed company. With each e-mail address of the shareholder, it is important to note that:

  • It will appear on the public record.
  • You do not have to be an ordinary residential address of the shareholder.
  • This may be the same as the address of the headquarters.
  • If the shareholder is also a director and a secretary, then it may be the same as your service address.

Your Virtual Office London provide professional registered office address services which include directors service address and a mail forwarding address in London for a very cost effective price. Our service is designed to improve the corporate image of your business with the use of our prestigious London addresses. Using a virtual office provider such as yourvirtualofficelondon.co.uk can really help convert prospective enquiries into paying customers. Many clients see an excellent return on investment when taking out our complete virtual office package.

October 11, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Choosing the perfect company name

Here are a few important tips on choosing the perfect company name. It is a good idea to think carefully and also consider whether it goes with your business.

Looking to a perfect company name? Do you think it's perfect? You love it? Is it clear, intelligent and smart and funny enough to put your customers in stitches, right?Do not think that just because you like the name, the world will agree? It is a good idea to take at least a moment, if not three. And if you think about taking a dangerous step including jokes in your name, you will want to take four, five or six moments too!The first call you can make is with people you know - friends, family, staff and customers or potential friendships. The more people you ask, the more opinions you have, but chances are that if you ask people the more they will look at it differently as well, and it will become increasingly difficult to stay focused. So, you have to know what questions to ask and what you want out of this exercise.

Some of these issues related to the proposed name of the company that can help are:

  • What does it sound like to them when said aloud?
  • Do they understand what it means?
  • Can they relate to it?
  • Is it related to the product or service you are trying to sell?
  • Do they want to deal with a company called that?

You need people to be honest and choose the ones that will tell you what they really think, not just something that you might want to hear. The earlier the better, because they can get rid of the names you have in mind and it means that you have more time to put into a new company which helps you from being pushed off the track.You can also seek help from professionals. The best consultations can guide the mind and help explain the options of the name, both good and bad - they can show that they have some form of testing on a variety of networks and even appoint a company to test different responses to each other.On the cheaper side of things, online forums can provide an official cost effective to provide independent feedback - especially if you can target the type of customers you want to attract. If you can find where your potential customers are, you can run a test with the name of your business.Many people delay, with the naming of the company because they do not know where to start or do not feel that they have the right spark. Write the words that come to mind when you think of your company on board or large sheets of paper. First, do not worry too much about how good they are - you can filter them down and try to combine different words together to create names later. Use a thesaurus to determine the word that means the same thing you've been thinking about.Ask friends, relatives or employees to do the same. If you let your imagination go wild, you can specify a long list of words and names to choose from. If you get too "wordy", then it's time to call for help!Looking at competitors and other companies can make you more successful in terms of inspiration.Again, if your budget can stretch to it, consider hiring an agency to provide innovative ideas and can develop specific name.Use one of the many tools available online to create a domain name for website inspiration. Even if you opt for the first name you thought of, looking for the potential impact of alternative inspiration can, for example, help you better understand why you like the name above all the others.If you are thinking of starting a new company talk to Your Virtual Office London first. We have helped countless business take the plunge and start on their own, we provide a range of services perfectly tailored to businesses and their owners. From mail forwarding address in London to call answering and registered office address. We even provide a directors service address for company directors wishing to protect their own address. What ever your need talk to us today, we are always happy to help.

October 1, 2014
May 5, 2021

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How to differentiate your company from the competition

Make yourself different from the competition

The goal of marketing is to create difference in the eyes of your prospects. In today's world of business, in each market segment and any line of business, there are multiple vendors (i.e, several companies offering the same thing). The real goal of marketing therefore, is to make a difference in our favour. Marketing must not only project our image and let us know about the prospects that interest us, but clearly communicate why prospects would place us in the forefront of their mind. Also, it`s key to understand how we are different from the competition.Competitive advantage is the real difference, but must be sustainable. We must provide a real value to our customers, but do this realistically and within budget. Though we identify points of added value that differentiate us from the competition, we must be careful in two respects: Are they elements of differentiation relevant to my customers? Which elements of differentiation are sustainable in the long term?Once we identify and / or develop a true competitive advantage, it becomes the backbone of our scheme of persuasive communication: our marketing will refer to it, our sales arguments and the way we sell will mention it; our customer service systems will focus towards nurturing that advantage. Moreover, we can guarantee it in writing, and that trust of our prospects will allow us to get more sales.If we do not yet have a competitive advantage for real, it's time to ask yourself some necessary questions. Another differentiating factor is therefore security writing. A written guarantee for any returns or defective products will give greater confidence to our prospects and customers, as they will have evidence that we stand behind the product or service you sell. If we offer a written guarantee, written on clear and objective terms, determining the scope and restrictions (it's a good idea to review this with an accountant), it becomes a good tool to attract prospects and convert customers.Another key to successful marketing is to identify the appropriate target market for our product or service. Even if all persons or companies could buy what you offer, you need to focus your marketing to be successful toward that target group that is in need of the goods or service that you sell. Who can afford it? Who can give you the volume and profitability?If you properly identify the market, then you should focus on developing the competitive advantages that the market appreciates. Look into the values and then communicate them effectively, knowing the ways to sell successfully, without having to be the cheapest.For example, consider a laundry and dry cleaning business operating in an area with a high incidence of young households with working parents on adequate incomes. If you can offer ample parking, along with a fast delivery service treatment and care, you can have a successful business. Furthermore, your customers will value the features of your service and your attention, looking beyond the price, and you will have created a competitive advantage. Which actions can you make in your business and in your life, to get ahead of the rest?Are you starting a new business, Your Virtual Office London has helped many business become successful with help from our professional services. We provide virtual office, business support, company formation and banking solutions for all our clients. If you would like more advice please do get in touch with our team, we are always happy to help.

September 4, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Secure your online success with Ideas

The importance of the business plan is that it helps to launch ideas for online success. Ideas are what separate success from failure over time.

Having a online success in business is difficult nowadays, but not impossible. Creating a business plan is one of the best steps that should come first. The importance of the business plan is that it helps to launch ideas into action. Ideas are what separate success from failure much of the time, so rushed ones will not suffice.In difficult times, no one is guaranteed financial success, especially those with poor ideas. To avoid being part of that group of people who set themselves unrealistic targets, who make excused, or those that procrastinate, you need to eliminate thoughts such as:

  • I can not create an online business, it is something only for very smart people
  • I've already tried it and it didn`t work
  • I can`t pay for the product, I'm broke
  • It's too hard for me ... you have done it because you are geniuses!
  • To make money online? It is impossible. ... it may not work
  • This is not for me, I'm happy as I am
  • That's all talk ... tell me how to get rich quickly without working much

The important thing is not to get to retirement age and realise that you have not tried, and lost too much time in your life doing something that didn't allow you to live as you dream.Obviously creating a business online is not the only way to get to get rich, there are many other options, and what really matters is that you work hard and consistently to get it.There is an effective formula for becoming a successful person, for a person to get a windfall throughout his life, and it is therefore necessary to have beneficial and real ideas to achieve good profits.Your Virtual Office London can help your new business flourish and thrive. We provide innovative business services aimed at professionals and business owners. Our wide ranging product portfolio can help your business idea turn into a reality sooner than you may think. We provide company formation services to help get your business idea up and running and we then help to improve the chances of success in the first year by offering complimentary services to enhance your corporate image. Our virtual office services can really boost your companies image, it gives your company a real presence in the heart of London.Our mail forwarding service can help give your business the London look, if you want to impress clients there is no better way then showing them a business card or website address with a prestigious London address. It adds instant prestige to any business and it helps you save costs when compared to renting an address in London for a physical office space. Similarly a registered office address can help make sure your Limited company has an official address in London providing your company with a corporate image in a commercial area of the city.

September 2, 2014
May 5, 2021

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5 top tips on how to start a profitable business

Today, thanks largely to the advent of the internet, it is possible to mount a profitable business with little investment. Here are 5 tips you need to know.

Today, thanks largely to the advent of the internet, it is possible to mount a profitable business with little investment. The first aspect to consider before getting started is to have someone to advise you properly.In order to start a profitable and practical business - a successful business it is not to imply that we should invest heavily in order to operate it. It is essential to be informed in advance of all relevant data and information when starting a business, and in this way, you will ensure no mistakes happen, without starting a business completely blind.Before taking any step you must know the amount of money you need to open your business, the products that are sold and the purchase of furniture or equipment, among other possibilities.For many, the experience teaches you that the best investments are the ones you do not act on.More and more people decide to start their own business and become their own bosses. Generally, entrepreneurs often do not have enough investment to create a huge infrastructure in your business capital.It is precisely for this reason that a large majority of freelancers or entrepreneurs choose businesses that require a low investment, but in turn offer high returns. So what are the essential keys when starting a business with low investment and high returns?Key 1: Create a Business Plan: Creating a business plan is a key step for any company which must be perfectly suited to what clients there are, the market you are targeting and the approximate time of a return on investment. Also, the quality of the products, the investment needed etc.Key 2: Small Business: The smartest idea is to definitely start a small business and let the size grow with time. At first, it is appropriate to make an interesting offer to attract new users or customers visiting your business.Key 3: Professional Relationships: Maintain professional relationships with people who are dedicated to the same industry, which are in the same environment as your business, such as experts like Your Virtual office London. Allow yourself to cultivate interesting alliances. Also, you can meet and learn about updates and relevant industry information.Key 4: Licenses required: Opening a business, whether online or offline, involves having all necessary licenses to operate your business that can operate as normal, and most importantly, quite legally. Also, make sure to register your brand and, of course, to pay taxes.Key 5: Trust: Having confidence in yourself is vital to mount any type of business. Never give up; you must have a winning mentality, especially if you put yourself in charge of your own business. Although at first may be difficult to start, remember that success in business is not impossible, and if you have enough confidence in yourself, you will get the successful business of your dreamsNow that you know to mount the 5 key profitable business ideas with little investment, you can no doubt start your own business with little or no money to invest. If you can drive your business ideas and reinforce them, you can surely make a success of your business guaranteed.Your Virtual Office London have helped many businesses become successful. We can help you achieve the goals you have set yourself, we can assist in company formation and taxation services with an affordable business accountant who can help support your business.Your Virtual Office London can also assist in improving the corporate image of your business, we specialise in virtual office services which include a mail forwarding address, registered office service and a director address service. If you would like to discuss any points raised in this article please do get in touch with us today, we are always happy to help.

August 28, 2014
May 5, 2021

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3 key stages of starting a new business

When starting a new business, you need to be aware of the three key stages of growing a business. With these stages, you can lay the foundation of your firm.

Here are the three important stages of starting a new business:

Business Purpose

One of the initial steps to creating a new business is the business purpose. The owner should write a bit about the dream they have, for example maybe they want to start a business selling clothing for children from newborn to eight, etc. They should further describe here all they want for their business.

Type of Business

The second point to develop is the type of business, where there is added more detailed information about the business, including:

  • The name you want to use
  • The products or services that you offer
  • The experience and knowledge you have regarding this type of business
  • The trends of the industry in general
  • Opportunities and threats for these businesses

Some of these issues can be answered for yourself and others should be investigated, perhaps through the Internet, library or media, chambers of commerce, associations and publications, preferably related to your type of business or industry. Once investigated and analysed, these points should give a good idea of the overall situation of your business within the economic, social and political environment.

Initial Idea

Every business plan is built around an idea that arises from the detection of a business opportunity. The emergence of the idea to start a business varies depending on the circumstances of each person / people. There are many factors that can lead a person to favour a particular business. In general, the factors that determine the choice of the idea are:Repeating others' experiences – this reflects new businesses, which frequently occurs in times of economic expansion.New business opportunities in freshly supplied markets, creating new or high growth rate.Technical knowledge about markets, sectors or businesses.An entrepreneur who has been employee or officer of another business that seeks independence.When an innovative product becomes known that is estimated to generate a successful market.When it comes to business or activities of low complexity that allow any person to become self-employed in such an activity.

How can Your Virtual Office London help?

Your Virtual Office London are leading experts in company formation and virtual office services. Small businesses and new start ups can greatly benefit from a virtual office service, our service enables a start up to appear more established through use of a prestigious mail forwarding address, a telephone answering service and a registered office address. Using these services can really help maximise your new business potential for succeeding, it is a well known fact that many businesses fail in the first year. Our service is designed to give your business the best possible chance of survival.Your Virtual Office London can also assist in forming a company, if you have started a business you may have become a sole trader however there may be tax advantages of becoming a Limited Company. If you would like to discuss this or any other points raised in the informative article please do get in touch with our expert team. We are always happy to help no matter how small or complex the question.

August 27, 2014
May 5, 2021

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2 Key areas of starting a new business

If you think putting a retail business or service where your customers have to come to your premises and consider 2 key areas of starting a new business.

Here we have listed the two key areas of a new start up business:

Location of your Business

If you think putting a retail business or service where your customers have to come to your premises, then this point of location becomes paramount and you should ask questions like:

  • What businesses to rent will be close?
  • What is the pedestrian and automobile traffic like?
  • Is there enough parking?
  • Are there are any restrictions or incentive by the city for that area?
  • What future developments are expected in that place?
  • What about competition in that place?

An important point to emphasise, is that before you sign any contract to purchase or rent a room, you should check with local authorities in that city if there are any restrictions for your business in that specific location. Sometimes, even if you are acquiring an existing business with all equipment installed and running, when they ask for your business license, it is denied, as the city has changed its development plans and no longer wants that kind of business there. So it is very important to research first to avoid problems in the future.

Your business competition

As mentioned in the previous part, competition can be a source of information to determine the size of the market. You should study it and follow it closely, because it will serve you to know your strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition. This will help win a competitive advantage that differentiates you from them and plan your promotions and advertising.How can you go about investigating the competition to learn from them though? There are several techniques that can be employed: You may review their ads on TV, radio, newspapers, flyers, directories, the Internet, etc. You can go about their business and talk to their employees. You can also ask their customers or send someone to buy or purchase their services; and sometimes, through chambers of commerce, associations or journals you can get information.After this analysis, you should have enough information to know where they are located, size of their business, product lines or services, prices, number of employees , marketing media they use and get an idea of how much they invest in advertising and promotions, and know who their key suppliers are, etc. This will help your own business hugely in the long run.

Why use Your Virtual Office London?

Your Virtual Office London can help your new start up business. We provide a wide range of services aimed at supporting new start up companies. One service we provide is very popular, our mail forwarding service in London is an excellent way of obtaining a prestigious London image without having to use too much precious capital on actual physical property.

August 20, 2014
May 5, 2021

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What Addresses Are Needed When Forming a Company?

When you incorporate a company for the first time many different addresses are required by Companies House, many of customers do come to us for clarification.

When you incorporate a company for the first time many different addresses are required by Companies House, many of our customers do come to us for clarification. In this article we describe the differences between the registered office address, directors service address, and shareholders address.

What is a registered office address?

The registered office address is a legal requirement from companies house. The address is used by Companies House and HMRC to send official statutory post and documents. The address appears on public record, anyone can search and find this address. The address for many new companies is usually the home residential address as they company has not yet started trading in a commercial property.

What is our registered office address service?

Our service allows you to register an official business address in a prestigious central London location, based in the heart of finance and business district. This will be your companies registered office address. Of course this has many benefits when compared to using your registered office address. One is that the address is private, you do not have to disclose your residential address. Many people prefer to keep their home address of public record for obvious reasons, one mainly is that is prevents unwanted callers turning up un announced when you least expect them.

What is a director`s service address?

The director`s service address is the official address of the director. Again similar to the registered office it`s the address is used by HMRC and Companies House to send official statutory post and documents. Again similar to the registered office, the address is on public record and is searchable. Unlike the registered office address the address can be an address situated in any country across the globe. The address can be the same as the registered office address; however it must not be a PO Box address.

What is our director service address?

Our director`s service address allows you to use our prominent London address in City Road as the director`s service address. Using our address service can help protect your residential address, again like the registered office service, removing your home address from public records can prevent unwanted callers and junk mail. It also helps you look more professional, creating a corporate image that can help increase your businesses profitability.

What is the shareholders correspondence address?

A shareholder is legally required to provide a correspondence address for each of the shareholders, each shareholders address will appear on the public record. The address can be the same as the registered office address and it doesn`t have to be the residential address of the shareholder.You will need to provide a correspondence address for each of the first shareholders (often called subscribers) in a newly formed company. For each shareholder correspondence address, it`s worth noting that:

Why choose Your Virtual Office London?

Your Virtual Office London have been providing professional business services for over 30 years. From company formation to supplementary services such as the mentioned address services, we really do understand the need of the modern business. Enhancing your business image whilst retaining privacy is key to the modern business owner, we have developed packages at an affordable price which is obtainable on any level of earnings. If you would like to discuss your businesses circumstances we will be able to help provide a tailored solution, we have an experienced expert team ready to take your call.

August 14, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Who can be a company secretary?

In this article we explain who can act as a company secretary and how one can be appointed or removed and the typical duties performed by the secretary.

In this article, we explain who can act as a company secretary and how one can be appointed or removed and the typical duties performed by the secretary.

Who can be a Limited Company secretary?

There are not many people who cant act as your company secretary in a private Limited Company. There are a few restrictions; the company secretary must not be an undischarged bankrupt unless the court has given leave. Also the companies auditor is not allow to perform the role of secretary. A partnership, company and of course an individual are allowed to perform the role of company secretary.

What is the process of adding or removing a company secretary?

The adding of an appointment of a company secretary or the removal of a secretary will be governed by the Companies Articles of Association. It would be decided by the board of directors of the company, that they wish to add or remove the appointment. The Companies Act 2006 doesn't provide details of how the process should be handled.

What are the main duties of a company secretary?

The duties of a company secretary can vary, there are no right or wrong duties however typically the duties are as follows:1. The company secretary would normally provide the service of Filing annual returns.2. Preparing and maintaining the statutory records.3. Arranging meetings for shareholders and directors, maintaining minutes of meetings.4. Maintaining correct company details with companies house, updating when changes happen.5. Legal compliance6. Holding and safe keeping of company documents7. Maintaining a registered office address

Why use Your Virtual Office London to form your company?

Your Virtual Office London are company formation experts. We have been forming companies for over 30 years, we have a huge amount of experience and we are always happy to share this with our clients. It is important to understand the supplementary services we provide our company formation clients, services such as registered office address, mail forwarding, virtual office and business accounting. Incorporating a company can be a daunting process and our team are specially trained in guiding small businesses through the minefield of forming and starting a new company.

August 12, 2014
May 5, 2021

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Is postage included with the registered office service address?

Wondering if postage included with registered office address for Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships? Read the article to find that out.

What is a registered office address?

A registered office address is for Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships. It is a legal requirement from Companies House that a registered office address must be given when you incorporate a company. The address will then be used by Companies House and HMRC to send your company official statutory official post.

Why do I need a registered office address service?

Many small start up businesses are usually formed from a residential address, a homeworker for example starting a business would normally have no choice but to use the residential home address as the registered office address. The address is then available on public view, which means customers and business associates will be able to find out where you live and of course this can sometimes have privacy issues which may not be suitable for someone working and living at home.

Why Your Virtual Office London Registered Office Service?

Your Virtual Office London provide a real London office address in a prestigious and prominent area of central London. Our service can be used by Limited Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP`s). The service can be used as long as the company is trading from England or Wales.

Is postage free?

We include all postage of statutory mail for free, your registered office post is sent first class same day and we also include free postage for our international clients; this post is sent out via airmail same day.

I am a director can I use this for my service address?

Our registered office is only for the company address, if you are looking to update your directors details with a London address, we do provide a directors service address. This is used by directors and secretaries of companies, it allows them to receive staturoy notices in their name to our service address in London. Again all post is included with this service, so there are no additional mail handling fees.

Can I have normal business post sent to the address?

If you are looking to have everyday trading mail, such as letters from clients and business associates, statements from banks and other marketing materials, you will need our London mail forwarding address. This is ideal for real trading businesses looking to have a prime address in the heart of London. Postage costs for this type of mail is not included and we would require a postage deposit.A London address can really help boost your companies image, increasing the prestige of your operation through a prime address in central London can help your client perceive that your business is established and secure. Image is key to winning important contacts and clients, we strongly recommend our mail handling services to help aid the progression of your business. If you would like to discuss any points raised in this informative business article, please get in touch with the team today.

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