What Is a Business Mailing Address & Who Needs One

Are you thinking of starting a new business or looking to grow your current one? Having a process for sending and receiving mail is a crucial part of launching or advancing a successful company.

And that begins with establishing a proper business mailing address. What is a business mailing address? Does your business need one or can you use your home address instead? And does a business mailing address differ from a virtual address? We’ll detail the answers to those questions and more in this ultimate guide to business mailing addresses. 

What Is a Business Mailing Address? 

A business mailing address is a physical address. It can be a home address, a building address, a P.O. Box, etc. With a physical business mailing address, you are in charge of the receiving, sorting, and forwarding of mail.  

A virtual mailing address exists entirely online. An outsourced company manages any mail you receive through the address and will then forward it to your personal address, business address, or P.O. Box.

What Is a Virtual Address?

A virtual address can mean two things: a virtual office address and a virtual mailing address for business. Most of the time, they’re one and the same, but there are some virtual office services that require you to pay for each one separately. 

A virtual office/mailing address allows you to have a professional business address in one location and your operations at another—like at your home or coworking space. You can list your virtual address on your business cards and website, and you can use the address to receive business mail. 

A staff of professionals will sort and forward any mail you receive through your virtual address. 

The Difference Between Business Mailing Addresses & Virtual Office Addresses

Since it’s free and simple to set up, some online business owners opt to list their home address as their business mailing address. But using a home address comes with privacy issues and can make business registration more complicated.

Here are the pros and cons of each type of mailing address, and how they can affect company growth. 

Advantages of a Business Mailing Address

If you choose to use a physical address, the benefits include:

A semblance of privacy (only through a P.O. Box)

Control and management of your mail flow

Cost savings if you choose to use your home address

Quick address set up

Disadvantages of a Business Mailing Address

What are the cons of using a physical mailing address? 

With a business mailing address, the disadvantages include:

You can’t list your P.O. Box as your LLC or corporation address.

You can’t add your P.O. Box to your Google Business profile listing.

You must handle your own mail flow, which may require traveling to and from a P.O. Box. It also costs money to have a P.O. Box, but this doesn’t include any additional amenities.

You must update your mailing address if you move your business.

If you use your home address as your business address, you may run into trouble with your HOA. Your association or local zoning laws may require you to keep your home and business addresses separate. You might also experience privacy issues, with customers showing up at your personal residence. 

Advantages of a Virtual Mailing Address

Below are the pros of using a virtual mailing address for business:

You can use a virtual mailing address when registering your business as an LLC or corporation.

You can use it to open a business banking account.

Your virtual mailing address provider may also offer extra amenities, such as the use of a meeting space.

By outsourcing mail flow, you’ll have more time to focus on critical business operations.

A virtual mailing address looks more professional than a residential address or P.O. Box.  

Disadvantages of a Virtual Address 

Cons of using a virtual address for your business are:

You’ll have to pay for the service.

You may be at the mercy of the mail sorters’ schedule.

You may need to rent a separate meeting space (if the service provider doesn’t have that option).

Is a Virtual Address Right for My Business?

The answer to that depends on what stage your business is in. If you’re just starting out and don’t expect to receive a large volume of mail, then using your home address or a P.O. Box may be fine. 

If your business is growing, you should take advantage of all the benefits a virtual business mailing address offers—Especially if your provider also offers other business services, such as live phone reception or web chat service. 

Set Up a Virtual Business Address with Davinci

If you’re looking for a virtual business mailing address provider, consider partnering with Davinci. Not only do we offer professional mail handling services, but we also offer business owners a variety of extra benefits, such as fully equipped meeting spaces, registering agent services, and more.

Get your virtual mailing address for business set up in just two business days. Contact us today to get started.