Curious about our Virtual Address Service? Read on to discover everything you need to know.
Starting a business can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Even if your idea has already been in your mind for some time, first steps always come with some anxiety.
A lot of things should be taken care of before you start your operation, but there is one decision that has to be made from the very beginning. This decision can make a big difference if you approach it the right way.
What address are you going to give to clients, business partners, and eventually employees? Are you ready to trust your business and your email with a residential mailbox?
Good news is, no, you don’t have to. With services like ours, you can have a professionally looking business address without incurring any of the expenses that come with it.
Ready to dive in? Here is everything you need to know about virtual address services for businesses and freelancers.
What Are Virtual Addresses?
A virtual address is a business address in a prestigious location without the expenses of physical office spaces.
Entrepreneurs and freelancers alike can use a virtual address as their mailing address, as their official business address, and even as their phone answering address.
Virtual addresses offer the best of both worlds. Business can have a prestigious and professional address without the expenses and commitments associated with physical office spaces.
Virtual addresses are typically located in downtown areas of major metropolitan areas. This gives clients and customers a prestigious business environment when they look you up. It also opens up the doors to more banking and insurance options.
Businesses also typically get mail scanning and forwarding. This means you can access your physical mail online without having to go to the post office.
Most of the time, virtual address services offer additional features and services like meeting room rentals, mail scanning, phone answering services, and professional mailboxes. Virtual address packages vary, so be sure to choose a provider that is transparent with pricing and includes at least the basics.
Why You Should Use A Virtual Address For Business?
If you are just getting started, every little penny matters. A virtual address is one of those things that could potentially save you thousands of dollars per month. You could have an office address in Chicago or anywhere else for just a couple of hundred bucks per month, and it is easy to set up.
80% of US startups choose virtual office spaces because they solve multiple problems that every startup faces in the early stages. Renting office space in a prestigious location, like a physical address in Chicago, could easily set you back $3,000-$5,000 per month.
Business owners should seriously consider a virtual address service like IPostal for the following reasons:
- Professional business presence from day one
- Real street address with no P.O. boxes
- Mail handling and forwarding services
- Meeting rooms available when you need them
- Legal compliance for business registration
A home address is a red flag to potential clients, partners, and investors. But a prestigious virtual address instantly makes your business look credible and established.
In some cases, using a virtual address can actually help you when it comes to being compliant with local laws and regulations.
For example, when starting a limited liability company (LLC), many states require that you have a registered agent in the state where your LLC is incorporated. This registered agent must have a physical street address in that state, and they are responsible for receiving legal and government documents on behalf of your LLC.
What Do Virtual Addresses Cost?
While the prices differ from one provider to another, business owners can expect to spend around $50 to $200 per month on a virtual address service package.
Studies show that businesses save up to 75% on operating costs compared to traditional office spaces.
The majority of virtual address packages include the following:
- Physical street address
- Mail handling and forwarding
- Mail scanning and digital access
- Phone answering (optional)
- Meeting room access (optional)
If you need extra services like phone answering or meeting room access, these are available for an additional cost, typically between $20 and $50 per month.
In conclusion, virtual addresses are a great solution for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and freelancers. They are reasonably priced, and they provide a professional image and presence for your business.
Finding The Right Virtual Address
Don’t be afraid to ask for additional information from providers that you are not sure about. Ask for details about mail handling, what is included in the basic package, pricing of extra services, privacy policies, and business practices.
An informed choice is always the best choice. Choosing the right virtual address service for your business is important, and there are a few things you need to consider before making your decision.
The first thing you need to consider is location. If you are targeting customers and clients in a specific area, you want to make sure that your virtual address is in that location.
Virtual office providers have multiple address options, so take your time and select one that will match your business’ needs.
Location is not everything, though. Make sure to check what is included in the basic plan.
Some companies will charge you extra for every single service they provide. Mail scanning? Extra. Mail forwarding? Extra. Phone answering? You guessed it.
Look for transparent pricing that includes the essentials and is reasonably priced.
Don’t forget about real street addresses either. Some companies will try to offer “business addresses” when in reality it’s just a mail forwarding center.
Real street addresses look a lot more professional. They also typically meet legal standards for business registration.
Setting Up Your Virtual Address
Setting up your virtual address is not a complicated process. The providers have mostly automated it. The onboarding process is typically simple, quick, and straightforward.
You should expect to provide your basic business information and pass identity verification. The last one is in place due to postal regulations. Your provider will need to make sure that you are allowed to receive mail at the address.
After that, you will typically be given access to your online dashboard. All mail management happens there.
You can start using your new business address immediately in marketing materials and business cards. There might be a small wait if you want to use it for legal registrations (LLCs, for example) but it should not take more than a few business days.
As mentioned above, providers will give you USPS Form 1583 that authorizes them to receive your mail. This will have to be notarized but again most of the companies offer mobile notary services to make it easier for their customers.
Wrapping Up
Virtual address services for businesses are great way to save money and resources while giving your new company the professional look and feel it deserves.
A virtual address is one of those things that are small enough that not having one can get in the way of growing your business.
On the other hand, a solid and professional business presence will have massive returns. Trust and confidence from clients and partners will follow.
Once you are ready to take the next step, consider us.