Running a small business requires a great deal of work, and burnout is always a concern, so if you are unable to set firm boundaries for yourself when it comes to clocking out at home and getting some much-needed rest, a separate workspace may help preserve your downtime. Small business owners struggle enough as it is with separating their professional and personal lives. Having a physical location also helps bolster your credibility and professional image. You don't always want to have clients come to your home, and while there are times when meeting up with your customers for coffee or a quick bite is appropriate, repeated and extended client meetings require a dedicated space for business operations. Although they may be able to make it work, there are reasons why you might need a physical space for your business. Many small business owners manage to successfully run their businesses solely from their own private residences. Do I need a physical location for my business? boxes, whereas a physical business address allows the delivery of important office supplies, documents, and other necessary business equipment without delay. Many private carriers have restrictions on shipping to P.O. In addition to concerns about professionalism and credibility, there are some limitations on receiving postal mail at P.O. A physical business address avoids shipping limitations Maintaining a physical business address that is not your home address also helps shore up the corporate veil, which protects you as an individual from liabilities surrounding your business. box." While Horani understands not wanting to use your home address for safety reasons since that information can become visible to anyone accessing state business records, she encourages business owners to check their specific state laws. box instead of their home address, but many states require a full business address and won't accept your filing if you use a P.O. "Many people think they can just use a P.O. And if you rent your home residence, running a business from your home without notifying your landlord may put your agreement in jeopardy.Īccording to Jacqueline Horani, a business attorney licensed in New York and Nebraska, a physical address is required in some states for state business records. If you list your business address while registering with the state, you will be cited for not following zoning restrictions and potentially fined. Additionally, some neighborhoods are governed by homeowners' associations that prohibit residents from operating any business from their homes. In many locations, listing your home address as a business address violates zoning restrictions. A physical business address may be required by law box listed as your business' physical address may create reservations in the minds of potential customers. Theoretically, a person could end their rental agreement with the post office, and customers may fear their business mail would go unopened or simply be returned. box address requires minimum documentation and investment on your part, customers may worry about your reliability. "Customers may be more likely to trust a business that has a physical address rather than just a P.O. According to Jeb Smith, the founder of Parker Marker, a business consulting firm in San Francisco, having an actual physical address for a small business provides legitimacy. A physical address lends credibility to your businessĪlthough post office boxes are common, there's something about having a more convincing and detailed legal street address that sends the message that you are operating a legitimate business. There are several reasons to get a physical address that is a separate business address from your home address. Why have a separate physical address for your business? There are, however, compelling reasons for a physical business address, and if you are currently one of many home-based business owners or are thinking of starting a business from home, you should consider obtaining a physical address. Some business owners in this position decide to use a post office (P.O.) box address at their local post office as a physical address because it provides an address for sending and receiving physical mail without divulging private information. Perhaps you might feel you don't need a physical address because you don't plan on holding in-person meetings in your residence, or you may conduct your business strictly online or over the phone, depending on what services your business provides. Many small business owners operate from their private residence, and for reasons of privacy and safety, they prefer to keep their address confidential and not list it as the physical address of their business.
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