A physical address for your business lends credibility to your entrepreneurial journey, protects your privacy, and contributes to operational ease. Even if your business operates online or you own a home business, a physical address offers value that’s essential to boosting growth and expanding market reach.
The Benefits of Using a Virtual Mailbox Service as a Physical Address for Your Business
Are you still unsure whether you need a virtual business address? Here are some advantages, whether you’re just starting out or seeking ways to improve your operations.
A Virtual Address Gives Your Business Credibility
As opposed to using your home address, a physical address or a virtual business address gives off a more professional first impression to your customers or potential investors.
Let’s face it, a company address in a commercial center or a business district is definitely more impressive than a personal address. A customer is less likely to think that you have a fly-by-night operation if your business card or website information isn’t a home address.
It’s a Convenient Way to Manage Business Mail
For better work-life balance, you need to keep your business and personal lives separate. The same rule applies to your personal and business mail as well.
If you receive your business postal mail and packages at your home, they’ll likely get mixed up with your personal mail. Your home office is cluttered with spam mail, a birthday party invitation, an envelope of documents from your lawyer, some bills, and a greeting card from a distant relative from two years ago. The very definition of overwhelming and disorganization.
Keeping your business and personal mail mixed exposes you to risks that may have expensive and serious consequences for your business. You may forget important correspondence or miss bill payments. This isn’t a good look for your business.
With a virtual business address, mail critical to running your entrepreneurial endeavors goes to a separate location, and you can easily manage it.
A Virtual Business Address Promotes Better Security
When you use your home address for business, your personal information becomes easily accessible, threatening your safety and security. A separate virtual address for your business helps protect your privacy.
Security from a virtual business address extends to physical mail as well. It protects your business mail from thieves and porch pirates, who remain rampant today.
A Physical Address May be Required by Law
In most cases, a physical address is a requirement by law when you open a business. There are often zoning restrictions or lease limitations to using a home address for business. This is why a separate virtual address is a much better option for running your business.
Note: The parameters and terms differ for each state, however, so be sure to check with your local business administration for the correct information.
How to Set Up a Physical Address for Your Business
Virtual Address Setup Options
The first step to setting up a virtual business address is by choosing a provider that offers the service. There are several types of virtual address providers to choose from:
USPS Street Addressing
Street Addressing is a premium PO Box service offered by the United States Postal Service. It comes with a real street address, not just a PO Box number, and can be used as a physical address to receive mail and parcels from private couriers. Not all Post Office locations offer this real street address service, however, so you’ll have to do the homework to determine your options.
Private Mailbox Service
You can also get a physical address for your business from mail and business centers that offer private mailbox services. A good example is the UPS Store Mailbox.
A private mailbox service allows you to use the real street address of the store to receive mail and parcels. If your business requires you to send packages or mail often, getting a virtual address from these types of providers adds convenience to your operations.
Coworking Space
Another option where you can get a virtual business address is a coworking space. Coworking spaces often offer mail handling services to their members. This service comes with a virtual address that you can use to receive mail, use as a mailing address on your business cards or website, or as a location for client meetings.
A coworking space is a premium business address, often located in a commercial space. It also offers you an actual physical space where you can get some work done, meet up with clients, and network with like-minded individuals.
Virtual Mailbox Service
You can also get a virtual address from virtual mailbox service providers. These are most often coworking spaces or mail and business centers.
With a virtual mailbox provider, virtual business addresses also come with mail handling services such as opening and scanning, forwarding, shredding, and recycling. They also allow you to access and manage your mail remotely via phone or computer.
Documentation Required to Set Up a Virtual Business Address
Typically, you’ll need to fill out a form and present valid IDs to sign up for a virtual address service for your business.
- USPS 1583 Form – This form is a requirement if your virtual business address provider also offers mailbox services, as they often do. USPS Form 1583 authorizes the virtual address and mailbox operator to handle your mail and packages.
- Valid IDs – You’ll need one photo ID and one address ID to complete the application process.
How Long Does it Take to Set up a Virtual Business Address?
The timeline for setting up a virtual address for your business varies per provider. In a private mailbox company, you could have your physical address right away if you sign up in person and you have all the documents ready.
You can sign up online, but this may take longer as the provider may need to verify your information and identity first. A PO Box at your local post office may take the longest, however, as getting one depends on the availability of boxes.
Virtual Business Address Service Features
Virtual address services, when offered with mailbox features also provide the following:
Mail and Package Handling
This service allows customers to receive their mail and packages at their physical address. The provider stores the mail items until you pick them up or request that they be forwarded to a different address.
In some cases, mail handling also entails that the service provider opens letters for you. “Open and scan” is a service that comes with virtual mailboxes. It’s a convenient and secure way to access your mail from anywhere in the world.
Forwarding Options
Mail and package forwarding may also be offered with physical address services. With this feature, you can request to have mail and packages sent to a different address. It is also typically provided together with virtual mailbox services.
Ensuring Security
Mail and packages received in a physical address provider’s premises are kept safe until you pick them up. They’re not delivered to your porch or left out in your yard, vulnerable to porch pirates. With a separate business address, you ensure the security of your mail items.
Limitations of Virtual Addresses
There may be limitations to the types of mail and packages that you can receive at your physical business address. Some providers will accept only letters or documents, as they don’t have the space to store packages. We recommend inquiring about a provider’s mail handling limitations before you sign up.
How Much Does a Virtual Business Address Cost?
A virtual mailbox is a cost-efficient way to obtain a physical address for your business. Depending on the plan and type of address, prices for a virtual business address service range from around $5 to $50. Pricier plans often come with the most prestigious addresses. They lend your business an air of credibility and professionalism.
Compared to PO Boxes, virtual mailboxes are a more affordable option if you want a physical address for your business. PO Box prices depend on the box size and length of contract, ranging from $4.83 for a small box to $24 a month for the XL size.
PO Box contract lengths are three months, six months, or one year. The location of the post office where the PO Box is offered also affects its price. Additionally, availability isn’t universal. Your local post office may not offer PO Box services.
Compared to a traditional physical space, using a virtual address offers a small business monumental savings. With a virtual address, you aren’t burdened with high office or shop rent, electricity or heating bills, and other associated costs.
Summary
- Setting up and growing a business requires a number of things, one of which is a physical address.
- For small business owners, a virtual business address that comes with a real street address is the ideal solution.
- Not only is a virtual business address more affordable than a traditional lease and much safer than utilizing a residential address, it also provides services that contribute to the operational ease of your business.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get a virtual address in the U.S. from another country?
Yes, you can get a virtual address for your business in the U.S. even if you’re currently in another country.
Where are Anytime Mailbox physical addresses located?
Anytime Mailbox virtual address locations are worldwide. We currently have over 2,300 virtual address locations in 47 countries.
Can I use a virtual address service to register my business?
You can use a virtual address as a business mailing address. Whether you can use it to register your business depends on the laws and regulations of the state or your local business administration.
