St Paul, MN · Member since 2008 · 1 post · 0 votes
I had a UPS store box for a long time and didn't get much use out of it, but I'm thinking I'll need a business address again. Are there any cheaper alternatives to getting a pseudo address for busniess besides UPS or a post office box?
Flipper/Rehabber · Anaheim, CA · Member since 2010 · 188 posts · 118 votes
14y
I also needed a business address and was looking for the most cost effective solution. California will not let you use a PO Box for a business address, so that option was out. I looked into virtual offices but found them expensive and unnecessary for my business. I started my search by using Google to find all the mailbox providing businesses within 5 miles of my house. A UPS store was close but was more expensive than other options. I ended up with a local mailbox provider within 2 miles of my house. I did some further research on the business and found they had been there for years and had good reviews from online review sites. If I paid a year in advance it was just over $100 for the year. I have 24/7 access and they have a notary on staff when I need one. It has been two years now and I have been very satisfied with my decision. So my vote is for a cheap generic mailbox provider that has been in business for some time.
Real Estate Investor · Bellingham, WA · Member since 2008 · 407 posts · 90 votes
14y
I have used a few such as a Earth Class Mail that give you a pseudo physical office. There are also tons of virtual mailing services. The problem I always had was picking up mail. The others I used forwarded mail to your real address. There was a delay and cost with this.
I switched to a UPS store because I could access the box 24/7. My cost is about $35 per month. Pretty close to Earth Class Mail. I get much value out of UPS.
Real Estate Investor · Lake Forest, CA · Member since 2011 · 49 posts · 21 votes
14y
Try contacting a local business about paying them for a mail drop (self storage facility, law office, real estate broker). Many of these places have staff present during business hours and may welcome a monthly fee to offset their overhead.
Full-Time Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
14y
while a po box certainly has its uses, it won't be an official street address...meaning, in some states (such as mine), you can't use it as the business address for the LLC paperwork...they need a legal street address...also, some business will not ship to po boxes....
on the other hand, a ups suite box has a legal street name (instead of box 1234, it'll say the street address of the ups store, and then suite 1234)...it looks a bit more professional, you can use it to file corporation docs with the secretary of state, and any business will ship any packages to it...yes, it's a little more expensive, and they're not accessible 24/7 like my PO box is...but i believe each has their own benefits :)
Commercial Real Estate Broker · Nashville, TN · Member since 2008 · 151 posts · 46 votes
14y
When I first started my biz I shared office space with a few attorneys and biz planners. THat was fun because we shared some clients and it was exciting to have a great place for meetings.
But, most of my real meetings took place in the field, at the client's office, or at a closing table, so I ditched the office because it wasn't really a value add for a two person shop.
Then I ran into the same problem Bryan mentions in regard to business registrations, but solved that by using a registered agent. Costs about $100 a year, and i found a local attorney to do it.
Then I use a PO Box as my mailing address. It's dirt cheap and easy to access 24/7.
Flipper/Rehabber · Anaheim, CA · Member since 2010 · 188 posts · 118 votes
14y
I also needed a business address and was looking for the most cost effective solution. California will not let you use a PO Box for a business address, so that option was out. I looked into virtual offices but found them expensive and unnecessary for my business. I started my search by using Google to find all the mailbox providing businesses within 5 miles of my house. A UPS store was close but was more expensive than other options. I ended up with a local mailbox provider within 2 miles of my house. I did some further research on the business and found they had been there for years and had good reviews from online review sites. If I paid a year in advance it was just over $100 for the year. I have 24/7 access and they have a notary on staff when I need one. It has been two years now and I have been very satisfied with my decision. So my vote is for a cheap generic mailbox provider that has been in business for some time.
Wholesaler · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2010 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
14y
In addition to some legal restrictions in using a P.O. box, I found that when you try to list your business on Google places or Maps (very important for search engine ranking if you're trying to generate internet leads) they will not accept a P.O. box.
Real Estate Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2009 · 85 posts · 23 votes
14y
I know this is off topic for the most, but may help others on infrastructure.
I mainly wholesale and short sale. I have never needed an office, other than a room in my home, to do business. I have met Sellers in their homes, Realtors at Starbucks, and Buyers at the title company. Therefore, a physical local address is not necessary. I did initially set up a P.O. Box for mailings, but then found it hardly used, since email and faxes are the primary media for doing business. I had planned to do wholesaling out of state... big mistake!
Note that I use Ring Central, a digital fax service, and not a home phone line. This allows me to receive faxes in PDF format anywhere I am via my laptop. I have a high speed Comcast internet service at home and use (2) Magic Jack phones (VOIP) to keep cost down.
It's true that local map links like Google Place, Merchant Circle, Yahoo Local, etc... get you higher on the search links, and you do not have to put a specific location for your privacy in most of them. I just use my zip code.
I don't think using your home address raises and problems on doing business and I have never had anyone wanting to meet at my location. Most of my business cards just have phone numbers and email addresses.
Commercial Real Estate Broker · Nashville, TN · Member since 2008 · 151 posts · 46 votes
14y
Ricky Ostrom The virtual phones and faxes are great - have been using them for years, and it's true - today all you need is a phone, a computer, and a car.
Real Estate Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2012 · 12 posts · 1 vote
13y
Originally posted by Craig Grella:
When I first started my biz I shared office space with a few attorneys and biz planners. THat was fun because we shared some clients and it was exciting to have a great place for meetings.
But, most of my real meetings took place in the field, at the client's office, or at a closing table, so I ditched the office because it wasn't really a value add for a two person shop.
Then I ran into the same problem Bryan mentions in regard to business registrations, but solved that by using a registered agent. Costs about $100 a year, and i found a local attorney to do it.
Then I use a PO Box as my mailing address. It's dirt cheap and easy to access 24/7.
Craig - did you use a national company from the web to be your registered agent or a local attorney, or something else? Could you share who you use and experience? I found the "big 4" national companies online all about $100/yr, but unsure if they charge more to foward mail they receive from the state, etc.
Thanks,
Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 7 posts · 2 votes
11y
Hi everyone, I am also looking to get a business street address, I was going to go to UPS but it is kind of expensive here, I thought about the virtual mailboxes but there are fees associated with forwarding that probably make it just as expensive, I am researching options right now, anybody know of a good low budget virtual mailbox company? Thanks,
Rental Property Investor · Glendale, CA · Member since 2013 · 685 posts · 334 votes
11y
Check your local USPS. In my city, only a few months ago, I was informed that my PO Box can be converted to a physical address, and they were also able to receive delivery packages as well.
Hampton, GA · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 3 votes
8y
Wow I didn't really know much about virtual mail. It's actually a great price, and with the option of having someone else forward my junk mail! But I think I agree with Ricky O. Being that i'm just starting out and I mainly work from home, I really don't think I need an address as of yet, most of my work communications are done online. Thanks for all the advice!
Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes
7y
Years ago I had a customer who used one of those mail places for a business address . Well one day they shut their doors with no notice . He needed the checks that were in there . They went belly up . He had to get all the checks reissued and then spend lots of money and time to get new invoices etc . The US post office said there was nothing they could do besides a change of address , what was already delivered was not their problem .
PO Box with the Post office , Have had mine 30 years