How to Get a Business Address
With electronic communications on the rise, many business owners feel that a physical address is irrelevant. However, no matter how much one uses digital tools and resources, regular old mail is still going to come.
Every single business will get physical mail. This means that every single business needs to have an address. Even businesses that don’t have a physical location need to have an address for receiving mail and for certain legal requirements.
If you don’t have a physical building for your business, you may be wondering how to get the business address that you need. The good news is, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn everything you need to know about getting a business address.
What is a Business Address?
A business mailing address is the one you use for official business correspondence. The address could be a physical street address or a PO box address. Entrepreneurs with home-based businesses can use their home addresses for business. But there is no separate action needed to get a business mailing address in this case.
The need for a business mailing address arises when you use an address other than your own for business. You can get a business mailing address to receive business packages and correspondence. You can also choose to include it on business cards and official communications. Doing so will tell clients, customers or partners your work location.
What is the Purpose of a Business Address?
A business may want to get a business address for a number of reasons. These include:
- Credibility
Customers might stay away from a business that doesn’t have a physical address. They might not even trust a business that only has a P.O. Box because it is not a permanent address. Some may have trouble becoming customers of a business without an address due to fears of scams. Having a physical address adds a level of credibility to your organization.
- Professionalism
With the rise of home-based businesses comes the decline of professionalism in the minds of many consumers. They have trouble viewing home businesses in the same professional light as a business with an office or storefront. In order to increase your business’ professionalism, you may want to obtain a physical business address.
- Physical Location
Having a physical location where you can meet clients, meet partners or conduct meetings, can make a huge difference. While it’s definitely possible to meet at a coffee shop or somewhere else, having your own place makes doing business a whole lot easier. It also adds a level of credibility and professionalism to the image of your company when you have somewhere to actually meet and conduct business.
Who Needs a Business Address?
Does every company need a business address? While there may be certain businesses that don’t require a physical address, most companies will want to obtain one. If you’re wondering whether or not a business address is right for your organization, here’s what you need to know.
Your company needs a business address if:
- You are running an LLC (limited liability company). This type of business requires a registered agent, which is a third party that can receive the company’s official correspondence. When naming the registered agent, you must provide a mailing address that is in the state of your business. A P.O. Box cannot be used; a physical address is required.
- You don’t run a home-based business or rent office space. If you don’t already have an address due to your home address or that of the space you’re renting, you will need a physical address in order to get any mail.
- You run a home-based business but don’t want to advertise your home address.
- You have a home-based business that receives confidential documents.
- You receive a great deal of mail or large packages that don’t fit in your personal mailbox.
- You want to convey professionalism, show your credibility, or gain the trust of your target market and potential partners. With a business address, you will look more established and credible than simply using your home address.
How Do I Get a Business Address?
There are a handful of ways to obtain a business address, including a P.O. Box, virtual mailbox, and physical address. While the reasons stated above may help you decide that a physical address is the best choice for your business, take a look at the various types of addresses and how to get them.
- Reserve a P.O. Box.
If you are content with meeting clients and partners in a mutual location and you simply need a place to receive business mail, you could opt for a P.O. Box. This is one of the simplest ways to get a business address.
A post office (PO) box is a numbered lock box at a post office. It comes with a P.O. Box address or a street address that you can use as your address for receiving business mail. There is a fee for reserving a P.O. Box and you can typically choose from a variety of sizes.
- Sign up for a virtual mailbox.
A virtual mailbox is a digital mailbox that comes with a physical street address. The mailbox is actually online and everything that is sent gets scanned and digitized for easy reading from a computer, phone, or tablet.
- Rent a business mailbox.
Similar to a P.O. Box, you can rent mailboxes from certain carriers such as UPS. These are lockable boxes within a store that come with an actual street address.
- Rent a local coworking space with mail access.
Some coworking spaces have mailbox services for people who rent space. If you are going to use a coworking space to conduct business, consider asking about mail service. Many spaces will allow renters to use their addresses while they are using the space.
- Rent or buy a business address.
While this can be a costly option, it is often the best one. It gives you a permanent address for your company as well as a location to conduct business. A physical business location gives you a place to meet with customers and offers your company a deeper level of credibility. Get this address by finding a great location to buy or rent.
