Do you run a business that wants to gain a presence in Singapore?
If so you may have considered the traditional methods of expansion to the country at first, only to be a bit intimidated with all the steps that are included in that process. This complicated process typically includes:
- Applying for an Employment Pass (referred to as an EntrePass)
- Registering as a private limited company (requiring $50,000 in capital and holding at least 30% of the company’s shares)
- Being 18 years or older to be recognized as the director of the company
- Paying the required upfront fees and adhering to licensing requirements
- Having a permissible business type granted by the Singapore government
It’s a lot! Instead, a virtual office in Singapore may be a more convenient option which can greatly simplify the process. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to open a virtual office in Singapore. First, let’s define what a virtual office is.
What is a Virtual Office?
A virtual office is a type of business endeavor where a company uses internet-based technology to facilitate a presence in an area. Depending on the business model and how one wishes to interact with customers, this internet-based technology can include:
- A fully integrated e-commerce website
- Online collaboration software/platforms
- Communication technology (including email, live chat, telecommunication)
Given that most modern businesses have a website and use online collaboration platforms (such as Trello, Slack, Teamwork, and others), the main challenge for organizations is communicating with customers. Let’s take a look at how using Singapore virtual phone numbers can significantly aid a virtual office in accomplishing its goals.
(As a side note, a virtual office is sometimes referred to as a “virtual location,” where a company not only tries to process customer transactions predominantly over the Internet, but also facilitates localization to gain trust and authority in a given area. Depending on your business’ ambitions, a virtual location can be a precursor to establishing a branch office in a country like Singapore in the future.)
Opening Up Communication with Virtual Phone Numbers
Simply put, virtual phone numbers are a type of internet-based technology that allows your business to instantly route phone calls through the cloud and reach Singapore-based customers and clients by phone. Similarly, Singapore-based businesses and customers can call your Singapore virtual phone number without any restrictions from their service providers, including long-distance fees.
Benefits of Singapore Virtual Phone Numbers
Virtual phone numbers have a number of benefits for establishing a business presence in Singapore.
First of all, because modern methods of doing business offer so much virtual flexibility, most people no longer need to make time to stop into a branch office to handle their business. Instead, most people prefer to get things done in the most efficient manner. With virtual phone numbers, customers can finalize transactions and deal directly with a company without the need for an in-person meeting.
Second, as mentioned before, virtual phone numbers circumvent restrictions by service providers. Even if you offered a domestic toll free number, those phone calls are still charged long-distance fees – or blocked outright, which defeats the purpose.
Furthermore, while Singapore is an international hub for business, many Singaporeans prefer to do business with domestic businesses. Because most people aren’t aware of where a call is originating from or where it is being received, virtual phone numbers are able to approximate this because the phone numbers match the country code and area/region code of Singapore. And, because Singaporeans don’t have to dial out to reach an international business, this helps build your virtual office’s authenticity in the country.
How to Get Singapore Virtual Phone Numbers
If you are wondering how to get a Singapore phone number, begin by finding a service provider (like Global Call Forwarding) that offers a wide variety of phone numbers in Singapore. This includes local access codes based on the different regions of the country, but also spans different types of phone numbers such as toll free numbers, vanity numbers, and more. Last, to compliment your virtual office in Singapore, make sure that your service provider offers a number of functionalities and add-ons to enhance how you can interact with customers and business. Some of these include “time of day routing,” “call recording,” “simultaneous ringing,” and so forth. By working with a qualified service provider, you can easily and effectively establish a successful virtual office in Singapore.
