For entrepreneurs, freelancers, independent contractors, online businesses, small companies, startups, and myriad others, not having an office means freedom. It means flexibility. It means working within your budgets without being constrained to a set square footage that may or may not really meet your needs – especially as you evolve. But this leaves many wondering how to register a business address without an office.
For potential clients, customers, investors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders, not having a physical address can mean something very different. It may signal to them that you are not a legitimate company. It may imply that you aren’t the “real deal,” or that your financial situation is such that you cannot afford office space. In either case, they may take it as a sign that you cannot handle or be trusted with their money, their time, their ideas, etc.
This may be an unfair assumption on their part – but it is something of which you need to be aware. Registering a physical business address is a marker of legitimacy, and this is critical in building trust and relationships with those who can help grow your company. Here’s how to register a business address without an office.
How to Register a Business Address Without an Office
Registering a business address is an important step for many reasons, particularly when it comes to receiving correspondence and complying with requirements for certain business structures (e.g. LLC). Keep in mind:
- If you have an LLC, you must have a registered address at which to receive official business correspondence. In this case, it must be a real street address, not just a Post Office box.
- If you do not have a home-based business or designated office space, you need a mailing address to receive correspondence. And yes, while many transactions are digital, we still have many others that require mailing.
- If you have a home-based business and wish to keep your address private, you need an alternative. Not sharing your home address may be of the utmost importance in terms of safety and privacy. Once you use your home address as your business address, it is public information.
- You have a home-based business and receive documents that are confidential and that cannot be seen by members of your household.
- You have mail that will not fit in a personal mailbox.
- You want to present an image of professionalism and establish that legitimacy and trust with stakeholders. A PO box or your home address is often not an optimal solution.
If any of these situations apply to you, what’s next? How do you register a business address without an office? Fortunately, there are some options:
Mailbox Services. As mentioned, sometimes a PO box is not a sufficient address for a business. You can rent a mailbox (e.g. UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc.) and use the store’s street address as your business address, with your mailbox number as the suite or apartment number.
USPS Street Addressing. Similarly, the USPS offers an option by which you can use the street address where your post office box is located as a business address (e.g. 123 Smith Street #1454, City X, ZIP CODE).
Coworking Space/Office Space. Appearing to have a physical business address works for many professionals. But it may not work for you. You may need to have space to meet clients, customers, prospective partners, investors, lenders, potential employees, and others. Inviting them into your living room or dining room not only feels less professional, but can also be a violation of your privacy and space. Meeting at a coffee shop may not send the message you want. You need an office – but you don’t want an office.
Coworking space, shared office space, or private office space through a provider like Office Evolution is a logical solution. Why?
- You have a desirable address in a business hub. Coworking and office space located in highly desirable locations are advantageous to your business. Imagine being in the heart of downtown Tampa or the Westshore Business District. You may not be able to afford to buy or lease in these areas (and doing so may not be conducive to an agile business) but with flexible space solutions, you have the address you need.
- You have the space you need to work… on your terms. Whether you are a solopreneur, startup, hybrid operation, etc. Flexible coworking and office solutions are tailored to your needs. You can secure the space you need when you need it – and for a price that works for your budget. Why chain yourself to an onerous lease or purchase a space that won’t meet your needs?
- Facilities are contemporary, comfortable, and welcoming. If you need to meet clients, investors, or other stakeholders, your home or a coffee shop may not be the best choice. Rather, you can invite them to a professional space that sends the right message.
- You can take advantage of included services. Inclusive coworking/office space providers offer a number of other amenities, including a shared receptionist, lounge/break space, maintenance, equipment, furniture, etc. You can get to work – and make any business guests feel right at home.
We hope this short article helped, and hopefully now you aren’t still wondering how to register a business address without an office. If you don’t have an office, that doesn’t mean you can’t have an impactful presence with potential clients. Contact Office Evolution if you are looking into the most affordable way to work.