Home based startup - trading address

[AndyB1]

I've taught myself web development and I'm at the point of launching my first site.

For SEO purposes (Google My Business and other company registrars) I need to provide an address. However I don't think my home address which is a "close" is very professional plus there is that uncertainty about exposing my address to the world.

After a bit of reading I understand that there are several solutions (the figures are quoted online and ex VAT):

• PO Box - (£210 a year) but not professional, Google (plus others) will not accept a PO box either.
• Registered Address (£35 a year) - seems to tick all the boxes (and cheap) but they only accept limited companies registered through companies house and I'm a sole trader (at least to start with). All other non-official mail will be returned to sender. The company I spoke to also said you cannot use this address on any stationery or online, so I'm not sure why you would use this service unless it is an add on service only?
• Business Address (£588 a year) - offers a load of services I just don't require (post forwarding, notifications)
• Virtual Office (£420 a year) - again offers a load of services I just don't need (post forwarding, boardroom facilities, telephone services). The cost quoted is just for an address.
• Mail Box (£216 a year) - a personalised PO box.

Is there anything I have missed here? I just find it hard to accept this cost for nothing more than an address? My web hosting doesn't even cost this much!

 

[LeasingEval]

There is a school of though that will say that if you are not passionate enough about it to put your name and address on it, then why should anyone buy from you?

What bad thing might happen if you make your address public?

 

[DontAsk]

I've taught myself web development and I'm at the point of launching my first site.

For SEO purposes (Google My Business and other company registrars) I need to provide an address. However I don't think my home address which is a "close" is very professional plus there is that uncertainty about exposing my address to the world.

If you are running an e-commerce site you are required by law to show your full geographic address.

 

[aflat9]

Do not use your home address. If you try to get any affiliate schemes or go on a site like Groupon (depending on what service you are offering) they will not accept home addresses. A business address is the best bet (I don't trust virtual offices after a bad experience). Unfortunately it may be a case of paying up unless you list your home as a business!

 

[Lawson@CBF]

We offer virtual office services. Which can be marketed in different ways from business to business.

Our interpretation of the service was born out of trying to give every startup and home based business a presence away from being based at their home.

You should be looking to register your business at a location you are happy to be based at and that can send you the mail you recieve from HMRC and the various communications sent to you annually as part of the packages.

I have seen packages ranging from £35.00 per year which will give you the badge of registration you are after but you will have to go and collect the post or pay to have it delivered to your address.

I can help you by pointing you at the right people to setup the limited company correctly if that's one of the hurdles.

If I can help vet the 3rd party services for you please drop me a line.

 

[AndyB1]

Thanks for the responses. I realise that any start-up is going to incur some costs. But I find it hard to justify up to £600 a year for nothing more than a postbox.

Many years ago I started up another small company and approached it in a very "text book" way.. office, logo designer, accountant, companies house, VAT registration etc. I was just handing money out left right and center, I couldn't afford those costs now which is why I'm trying to do things more economically.

There is a school of though that will say that if you are not passionate enough about it to put your name and address on it, then why should anyone buy from you?

What bad thing might happen if you make your address public?

I'm passionate I just don't think "1 Cherry Tree Close" is very professional.

 

[Lesdyxic]

I need to set up as a sole trader and need a business address for two reasons. One; I live in a housing association flat, and although you can run a home business (that has no customers visiting the property), my tenancy states I can't use my home address as a business address.

And secondly, potential clients have been put off by me living in social housing. And I can understand that. I am happy to pay for a Registered Address but need a service that will send very infrequent mail to my home address, such as from HMRC.

Can anyone recommend such a service please?

Thank you

Hi @Lawson@CBF I realise this is an old thread, and I checked out your fulfillment site, but do you still do mail addresses too?

Thank you