I’m a Remote Entrepreneur: Does My Business Still Need a Physical Address?
Not so long ago, starting a business usually meant you had to set up an entity in a specific place. More to the point, it had to be a physical place. Now, 36% of all businesses handle all their transactions online. Aside from needing a place to store inventory, the entity itself can operate from virtually anywhere.
But if you have a virtual business, where do you register it?
After all, you still need an address that’s attached to some sort of physical location – even if you don’t actually work there. You also need somewhere to receive mail and general correspondence.
Many startup owners get around this by using their home addresses.
While it may seem convenient and affordable, there are numerous disadvantages:
- Security and privacy: Publishing your home address online is unsettling, especially if you have disgruntled clients who may turn up at your door.
- Too much mail: Your home may become inundated with junk mail. Then there’s the issue of having sensitive business documents left in your mailbox, which could lead to mail or identity theft.
- Your business’ reputation: It’s easy for clients to look up your address online. Once they see it’s a residential address, your credibility and reputation may suffer.
So, if using your home address isn’t ideal, then what address can you use? One solution that’s designed for remote and home-based businesses is a virtual office.
Unlike mailboxes and PO boxes, a virtual office is a recognized address attached to a physical office building.
The office center is staffed during business hours by receptionists who receive your business mail and store it securely for local pickup. Or they can forward it to a more convenient location – such as your home (allowing you to keep your home address private).
As you can imagine, this offers numerous advantages for new business owners:
- Increased privacy and security: There’s no need to publish your home address as your business address.
- Strengthens your organization’s reputation: When clients look up your virtual office, they’ll see a real office building – not your home, post office, or strip-mall postal center.
- Keeps your mail safe: Using a virtual office prevents your home mailbox from being stuffed with business mail or junk mail.
All-in-all, it’s a better way to separate your home from your business. Plus, having a separate business address can help protect your corporate veil and establish business credit.
What’s more, virtual offices are located at centers with onsite workspace. That means anytime you need to meet with clients, collaborate with colleagues, or even work somewhere away from home distractions, you can book a room quickly and easily.
As for selecting a virtual office center, there are thousands of locations to choose from, all over the U.S. and globally.
When selecting a location, there are numerous points to consider, such as:
- Target market – if you’re a local business, you may want to choose a virtual office that’s close to your biggest clients.
- Close to home – if you plan on meeting or working from your virtual office center, it makes sense to choose a location that’s easy to reach. Pay attention to parking and local transport options.
- Prestige – you can choose to have a well-known address on Wall Street, or you can opt for a modest, out-of-town location in a suburban business park.
If location really isn’t important, then you have the luxury of choosing a virtual office in any state. This could offer additional advantages, such as better tax rates.
If you’re interested in learning more about virtual offices, we recommend starting with our partner, Alliance Virtual Offices.
Alliance has an established network of 1200+ virtual offices to choose from, all located at recognized office centers with onsite staff, secure mail processes, and a fully equipped onsite workspace.
Get started today at www.alliancevirtualoffices.com and either search online for a virtual office location, or chat with their friendly team to discover more. And be sure to use promo code MyCompany50 to get 50% OFF your virtual office set-up fee.
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