So, you’re wondering whether you need to get a business address for your company, and the deeper you dig into the idea, the more confused you’re finding yourself.
Sound about right?
There are tons of questions to consider.
Do you need a business address? Is there a benefit to getting one, even if you don’t need it? In that case, should you get a PO box? A virtual mailing address? Or should you use your home address?
It’s enough to make your head spin.
And ultimately, the answers depend on a bunch of factors, including the type of company you’re running and what you’re hoping to get out of having a physical address for your business.
In this article, we’ll dive into whether or not you need to get a business address and, if so, how to do it.
Do You Need to Get a Business Address?
First and foremost, do you want to get a business address, or do you need one?
Legally, many business types—especially LLCs and corporations—have to register a physical address for tax and regulatory purposes.
So, if that applies to you, then yes—you need to get a business address.
That said, even if you don’t need to get a business address, there are a ton of benefits to having one.
It’s important to understand that getting a physical address for your business doesn’t necessarily mean having a physical office—but we’ll get to that shortly.
5 Reasons Why You Should Get a Business Address
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to get a business address, here are a few benefits to consider.
1. Building Credibility with Your Customers
Credibility is critical for building trust, especially when working with new clients. When you get a business address in a reputable building, it signals stability and professionalism, which a P.O. box can’t fully provide.
Unlike a P.O. box, a physical address shows up as a real location when searched, helping your business appear established and reliable.
2. Ensuring You’re Following the Law
Depending on your location, you may be legally required to register a physical business address.
Some Homeowners’ Associations (HOAs) restrict business registration at home addresses, and certain cities impose zoning restrictions that prevent residential business registration.
Some regulatory bodies also don’t accept P.O. boxes for official filings. Renting a business address helps you comply with these legal requirements effortlessly.
3. Maintaining Privacy and Professional Boundaries
Using your home address for your business can blur the line between personal and professional life.
When you get a business address, it keeps your home address private, helping you separate your business interactions from your personal life.
4. Avoiding Shipping Limitations
If your business requires receiving supplies or deliveries, a P.O. box can be restrictive, as some carriers won’t deliver to them. A physical business address ensures you receive all deliveries without delay, keeping operations smooth.
5. Giving Your Business a Local Presence
When you get a business address, it makes it easier to establish a local presence in a market—even if it’s not your primary one.
Here’s an example.
Let’s say you’re a lawyer, and your head office is in Washington, DC. But you want your firm to show up for potential clients in Maryland as well.
You can get a business address in Maryland so that you show up when people search for “lawyers in Maryland.”
More importantly, when your business address is a virtual office at a flexible workspace like Launch, you can head over to your address in Maryland and meet clients in professionally appointed meeting rooms so they don’t have to commute to DC to meet with you.
Win-win.
How Can You Get a Physical Business Address?
As you’ve probably noticed, there are a ton of options when you want to get a business address.
But which one is right for you?
As we mentioned earlier, getting a physical business address can mean having an office of your own, but it doesn’t have to.
So, you’ll need to decide whether you want the physical workspace—or if you just want to get a business address and work from wherever.
Here are a few options to consider.
Renting a Dedicated Office Space
Leasing a traditional office gives you a permanent business address with complete control over branding, decor, and day-to-day operations.
This option is better suited for established organizations.
However, leasing can be costly, and you’ll typically be looking at multi-year lease terms.
So, if you’re not ready to commit to that, this probably isn’t your best option.
Signing Up at a Coworking Space
If you want to get a business address that comes with a physical office of your own, but you’re not into high prices and long lease terms, coworking spaces are a great call.
Unlike traditional leases, coworking spaces offer a variety of options, including:
- Private Offices: Secure, customizable offices designed for individuals or teams, providing a dedicated space with access to shared amenities and community events.
- Coworking Memberships: Flexible options including dedicated desks and hot desks, granting access to communal workspaces, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities.
- Team Suites and Enterprise Solutions: Customizable, larger office spaces tailored for teams of 10 to 100+ employees, offering private amenities and the flexibility to scale as needed.
Coworking spaces typically come with perks like mail handling, meeting rooms, and access to a collaborative work environment. They’re a good fit for solo pros, small businesses, or organizations looking for a professional image and office address in a reputable location.
Using Business Address Providers
Suppose you want to work from home or from wherever your business may take you. In that case, mailbox services offered by providers like UPS and PostNet supply a street address for your business rather than a P.O. box, allowing you to receive mail and packages at a recognized location.
Disclaimer: This option is ideal for businesses on a budget, but it typically won’t give you the professional image you’re after, and it probably won’t give you access to meet or office space either. In our humble opinion, you should avoid this option
Using Your Home Office Address
If zoning laws permit, you can use your home address as your business address. This saves costs but can pose those privacy concerns we mentioned since your personal address becomes publicly associated with your business.
It’s best for very small businesses where clients don’t need to visit the location, and you won’t be listing your company online.
Enlisting Virtual Office Services [Recommended]
This is the ideal option for professionals who want a reputable business address but want the ability to work from home or from wherever in the world they want.
Virtual offices allow you to establish a physical business address without the need for a full-time workspace.
The best thing is that coworking spaces like Launch Workplaces offer dedicated Virtual Office services that let you pick and choose the right combination of administrative services for your needs, including:
- A reputable office address at any of our locations in Class A buildings throughout Ohio, Maryland, and Washington, DC
- Mail handling, storage, and forwarding
- Conference and meeting room access
This option is well-suited for remote or home-based businesses seeking a professional presence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Addresses
We know this topic can feel a bit confusing, so we’ve broken down a few of the most frequently asked questions about getting a business address.
Q: Are virtual addresses legal for business registration?
A: Yes, virtual addresses are legal for business registration in the United States. They are a great option for maintaining a professional appearance without having to pay for an expensive physical office.
You must comply with USPS and individual state restrictions, such as registering as a CMRA. You may also not use a P.O. box for business registration.
Q: How do I choose the right virtual address service?
A: There are a few key things to consider when choosing a virtual office address service:
- Location: If you mainly operate your business from a certain city or region, then you should choose a business address within that area so it’s familiar to customers.
- Services: Not all virtual address services are created equal. Some offer mail forwarding, receptionist services, phone handling, and more. Rent a physical address for your business that has the services you need.
- Contract flexibility: Your business needs may adjust over time, so rent a business address from a company that offers flexibility with their contracts.
- Physical space: If you also need somewhere to work from, look for a virtual address service that also has office or coworking spaces.
Q: How much does a virtual business address typically cost on average?
A: The cost to rent a physical address for your business depends on what additional services the company provides. It can range from anywhere between $10 to $200 + per month. More basic plans may just serve as a physical address, while more expensive plans could include a physical coworking space. There’s something for every budget.
Get a Business Address with Launch Workplaces
Flexible office solutions are the way of the future. At Launch Workplaces, we make it easy for you to get a business address in a professional Class A building. Ready to learn more? Get in touch with us today.
