You Can't Change My Mind: What Your Office Location Says About You & Your Business
As realtors are fond of saying, three things matter: location, location, location. The same logic that applies to personal homes also applies to professional businesses. Whether you’re looking for small offices near Melbourne CBD or a larger corporate building on the outskirts of LA, the location of your office says a lot about you and your business.
In particular, it tells clients and employees that you’re authoritative, serious, consistent, and an expert. Below, we’ll take a look at each in greater detail.
1. It says you’re authoritative
Even if you run an online business, there are probably some elements you just can’t do online. Zoom meetings are a game changer, but sometimes there’s nothing better than a face-to-face meeting. This is particularly true if you’re discussing sensitive issues such as company finances, lucrative deals, or high-level decision-making. In those cases, a dedicated private space is essential.
Being able to provide that kind of space within your own office location will encourage clients to see you and your company as an authoritative figure in the industry. They’ll feel comfortable, honored, and more likely to carry on doing business with you.
2. It says you’re serious
Your office location lets clients and peers know that you take your business seriously. It helps to establish or strengthen your credibility. In addition, it helps build up trust with potential clients.
Taken together, a proper business address and phone number show professionalism.
It’s true that quite a few professionals work from home to save money on rent. However, one problem that might arise from making your personal address the same as your business address is that some clients might view it as unprofessional. They may wonder how seriously you take your business duties. With a separate business address, however, that situation is unlikely to happen.
3. It says you’re consistent
These days, businesses are scattered all over the place. They might contract out their creative work to a design agency, or outsource their shipping to warehouses in other parts of the country. Often, this expansive web of operations helps streamline a business, keeping costs down, and allowing them to provide better value to customers.
That being said, customers and clients feel comfortable knowing you have a central location where they can contact you. If they have to send a bill to one address, a request to another, and come in for a meeting somewhere completely different, they’re going to be confused. In addition, their confusion might cause them to view your business in an unprofessional light.
4. It says you’re an expert
A business address—especially a carefully chosen business address—lets others know that you’re an expert in the industry. Furthermore, it conveys that without you actually having to say anything. What you provide your clients will only reinforce your expertise. A residential address, on the other hand, might convey that you’re inexperienced. Whether or not that’s true, you’ll need to get over that first impression when attracting new clients.
To further emphasize your company’s expertise, consider locating your office in an industry hub. If you’re a design company in London, then Camden or Islington are the go-to places. If you’re a tech startup in Los Angeles, then Silicon Beach is where to go. Clients who visit you for meetings will know by your office location that you’re an expert who’s well-integrated into the larger scene.
An established business address in a great location signals to clients and customers that you’re authoritative, serious, consistent, and an expert in your industry. Back that up with incredible service, and you’ll push your success to grand new heights.
