Coworking & Center

How to Create a Virtual Office Product: A Step-by-Step Guide

Written by Juan Hilario | Oct 1, 2025 4:00:55 PM
  • Discover how adding a Virtual Office product can drive additional revenue to your coworking center.
  • Leverage your existing infrastructure – no need to add square footage or hire more staff.
  • From compliance to mailroom prep, this step-by-step guide explains how to get started. 

How do you extract more revenue from your coworking business without adding more space? 

That one’s easy. Add a Virtual Office product and monetize your existing address, mailroom, meeting rooms, and administrative infrastructure. 

In this guide, we’ll run you through the step-by-step process of preparing and launching a virtual office product, from a basic business mailing address to revenue-driving bundles and add-ons. 

Let’s get started. 

 

Why Should I Create a Virtual Office Product?

There’s unmet demand among all types of business – including freelancers, remote teams, small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and even large firms – who need a business address and easy access to workspace without getting tied into a full-time office. 

Home-based professionals and startups need an address to protect their personal details, while remote teams and larger firms use virtual addresses to create regional hubs and test new markets.  

As a coworking or flex space operator, a virtual office product lets you monetize your existing address, mail services, meeting rooms, and administrative infrastructure without significant new investment.  

You already have the location, the staff who process mail, and the space for meetings – you just need to package it differently for remote clients. 

Virtual offices offer high‐margin revenue opportunities, because you're leveraging your existing resources and selling the same product multiple times over without expanding physically. You’ll keep overheads low and staff time is minimal, too. 

If you're not yet offering a virtual office product, now is a great time to do it. Demand is rising, competition is still manageable in many markets, and clients frequently convert into meeting room users or full-time coworking members. 

 

How to Launch a Virtual Office Product: A 7-Step Guide 

  1. Define your packages & pricing
  2. Map capacity & prepare your mailroom
  3. Set up compliance & client verification
  4. Build simple SOPs
  5. Choose lightweight tools
  6. Publish policies & go live
  7. Measure, tune, and scale 

Step 1: Define Your Virtual Office Packages & Pricing

Your basic Virtual Office bundle is a business address with mail handling and secure storage, and a mail forwarding option. 

Core Product

  • Business address. This is your coworking street address. Having a real building differentiates you from cheaper mailbox-only providers. 
  • Mail handling. Receive, log, and securely hold mail onsite for clients to pick up. Offer a forwarding service (at least monthly) with an additional fee. Set a weight/size limit on bulky parcels to conserve space.
  • Meeting room and office access. Price per hour and per day as an add-on or bundle credits with your core address + mailing service. Offer catering options.

You’ll need one or more team members available during business hours to manage mail, greet visitors, and provide support as needed. 

Pricing 

Most centers price a basic Virtual Office plan between $49 - $79 per month. This varies depending on location – for example, central Manhattan will typically attract a higher base price than a suburban location with less demand. 

Start by checking local competitors’ pricing to make sure your rates are aligned to your market. The fastest way to do this is to run a search on Alliance Virtual Offices (or ask us!). 

From there, you can layer on optional services such as mail forwarding, scanning, and meeting room time at hourly/daily rates or in bundled packages. 

The key is to keep pricing simple and transparent. Make it easy for clients to understand what’s included and to upgrade as their needs grow. 

Revenue-driving add‑ons: 

  • Mail forwarding. domestic daily, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly (postage cost plus handling fee). Offer international options and different couriers.
  • Digital mail scans. Take photographs of envelopes and charge per scan or bundle. Provide options to forward, hold for pickup, or shred.
  • Company name listing or lobby directory.
  • Live receptionist and dedicated local or toll-free phone number.
  • Overages: extra scans, ad‑hoc forwarding, package oversize, after‑hours pickup. 

Step 2: Map Capacity & Prep Your Mailroom

Decide how many Virtual Office clients you can support now with your current mailroom setup (e.g. 50–150). 

You’ll need a secure area for handling and storing mail, and an overflow area for packages. This space should be as close to your main reception or pick-up area as possible to avoid staff constantly running upstairs or along corridors to retrieve mail. 

Your mail receiving station should have everything you need within easy reach, such as a scale, tape, label printer, date stamp, and secure shredding bin. 

Ensure client lookup is fast and secure for mail notifications and forwarding preferences. Utilize your existing coworking CRM or create a digital list or spreadsheet.   

Step 3: Compliance & Client Verification (U.S. Centers) 

If it isn’t already, your center will need to become a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) by filling out USPS Form 1583-A

You’ll then need to collect a separate form (USPS 1583) with ID verification for every new client (if you accept clients from Alliance, we take care of this for you). 

  • Register your location as a CMRA by submitting USPS Form 1583-A to your local postmaster.  
  • Collect USPS Form 1583 from each client, which authorizes your center to receive mail on their behalf.  
  • Verify and record two forms of valid ID from each client (at least one must include a photo).  
  • Ensure the client’s Form 1583 is notarized, either in person or via an approved online notary.  
  • Assign a Private Mailbox (PMB) number to each client for secure and trackable mail management.  
  • Maintain client documents securely by keeping 1583 Firms, ID copies, and PMB records on file. Ensure these records are accessible for postal inspection if requested. You must keep these documents for at least six months after the client terminates service, as required by USPS regulations.

Each of these steps must be completed before mail can be legally accepted and processed for a coworking or virtual office client. 

Disclaimer: This is general guidance, not legal advice. Always check your local rules. International markets may differ. 

Step 4: Training and SOPs

Create one‑page SOPs that any staffer can run.

For example, a one-page document about sending mail notifications using Delivered, a free tool provided by Alliance, could be as simple as this: 

        • Log in 
        • Select center from dropdown list 
        • Find the client you want to notify 
        • Add notes, if necessary 
        • Toggle the ‘Mail’ button 
        • Click submit 

Your SOP can include a link to this video tutorial or screenshots. 

Step 5: Tools That Save You Time

You don’t need heavy software to start a Virtual Office product. Aim for:

  • Client & ID records: Secure drive + simple CRM sheet 
  • Ticketing or client requests: Shared inbox with tags or lightweight helpdesk 
  • Digital scans: Office scanner + secure cloud drive 
  • Labels & postage: Online postage account + printer 
  • Payments: If you’re solo, use your current processor. If you receive clients from Alliance, payment processing is handled and paid for (no delays or risks on your end). 
  • Client mail notifications: Use Delivered, a free tool provided by Alliance.  

Step 6: Publish Policies & Launch 

Create a page on your website that explains your virtual office packages and prices, what’s included and excluded, add-on costs, expected turnaround times, and frequently asked questions. Remember to update your terms and conditions, too. 

Establish house rules that cover prohibited items, ID requirements, pickup windows, and storage limits so expectations are clear from the start. 

Post helpful signage onsite to guide clients, such as where to pick up mail and your customer service hours. Before going live, walk your team through the full process using sample mail so they’re comfortable with every step. 

Step 7: Measure, Tune, Scale

Once you’re up and running, track a few key metrics to make sure your service stays healthy and profitable: 

  • Monitor monthly recurring revenue (MRR) from your virtual office tiers and add-ons.
  • Keep an eye on the attach rate for extras like scans, forwarding, phone services, and meeting hours.  
  • Measure utilization by looking at how many mail bins are in use compared to capacity and how much staff time is spent each day managing mail.  
  • Check your service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure scans and forwards are completed within promised turnaround times.  
  • Track churn to gain a deeper understanding of when clients leave and note the reason why so you can improve over time.
  • Monitor support tickets, complaints, and frequently asked questions to learn where improvements can be made and to identify opportunities for new or expanded services.

While you’re analyzing your data, look for levers to grow. For example, introduce quarterly or annual prepay with an incentive.  

Or offer a "Premium" bundle with features such as meeting room hours, lobby listing, and high frequency mail scanning or forwarding. 

 

Where Alliance Virtual Offices Fits (and Why Partners Like It) 

Alliance Virtual Offices is a virtual office wholesaler. We deliver fully compliant, contracted clients for virtual offices, meeting space, private offices, coworking, and other revenue-boosting services including mail forwarding and lobby listings. 

There’s no cost to sign up. We operate a revenue-share basis for any clients we send your way. That means no upfront investment or risk – just shared success. 

  • Zero acquisition cost: Alliance handles lead generation, marketing, and sales. 
  • Ready‑to‑go clients: Clients arrive fully verified with required USPS compliance and ID documents. 
  • No payment headaches: Alliance processes and pays for all client transactions, including billing, late payments, and collections, so you avoid financial risk and maintain reliable cash flow. 
  • Client support: Alliance educates and onboards clients to ensure optimal product usage and provides ongoing support long after clients hit ‘purchase’. 
  • Faster time‑to‑revenue: You start earning from month one without building funnels or complex systems. 
  • Keep control: You set prices and local policies (hours, pickup rules, capacity) and deliver onsite service. 

You’re All Set!

Launching a virtual office product is one of the most efficient ways for coworking and flex space operators to grow revenue and leverage what they already have.  

You don’t need to expand your physical footprint. You don’t need to hire new staff. What you need is clear packaging, simple processes, compliance, and strong service. 

Done right, a virtual office product can become a stable, recurring income stream, which feeds into your core offerings (meeting rooms, full-space rentals, events) and helps to diversify your business. 

What’s Next? 

If you’re interested in rolling out a virtual office product with minimal risk and maximum speed, talk to Alliance Virtual Offices. 

While we deliver clients and support from behind the scenes, you’re free to focus on what you do best: building a positive community and creating memorable moments for the people in your space.