PO BOX vs Virtual office please advise

[carmen0k]

Hi,

I have been debating whether to use a virtual office or a PO BOX.

I have managed to find an affordable virtual office which operates near where I live so I can collect the mail but this particular virtual office business has alot of businesses using them as their registered office. So when you search for the address hundred of companies come up.

I have also signed up to using them as my registered address so that's why I am debating whether to take out their mail forwarding service so I would have one consistant address however it would become costly the more mail received and they can withdraw the service at any time.

I understand that using a PO BOX may not look as good as a land address but is the perception of them for a new business worse than having a land address that over 100 companies use? I know individuals can find the linked addressed to the PO BOX by calling royal mail but I'm sure i can have this linked to the business registered address. PO BOXES are cost effective and consistent.

My business will be providing a free service that will benefit alot of people and is independently funded. So i need to decide whether to use the virtual office address or PO BOX.

Can anyone advise of what their perception is on them?

Many thanks,

carmen0k

 

[easiprint]

In a business world, I think PO Boxes look terrible, and I usually avoid them wherever I can, especially if I were paying for goods or service upfront. However, in your case, if the sevice you are providing is a free one, then I think that makes a difference to the perception and a PO Box would make sense.

 

[biomed86]

I'm sort of in the same dilemma - whether to use home address vs po box vs virual office. Most opinions that I've had have all leant towards a virtual office address as portraying the most professional image.

 

[carmen0k]

I'm sort of in the same dilemma - whether to use home address vs po box vs virual office. Most opinions that I've had have all leant towards a virtual office address as portraying the most professional image.

This is the issue as virtual offices are everywhere and its professional to have a land address but how professional can it look if 300 other company's share your address? (just google or yell the post code)

It is very difficult to decide. I am starting to side with PO BOX. However if you use a PO BOX address linked to your home address, if someone calls royalmail they can ask for the address to your po box number you home address is out there. (Read the PO BOX application)

Thanks for your response

Carmen0k

 

[biomed86]

This is the issue as virtual offices are everywhere and its professional to have a land address but how professional can it look if 300 other company's share your address? (just google or yell the post code)

It is very difficult to decide. I am starting to side with PO BOX. However if you use a PO BOX address linked to your home address, if someone calls royalmail they can ask for the address to your po box number you home address is out there. (Read the PO BOX application)

Thanks for your response

Carmen0k

Totally agree about lots of other companies sharing the same address - it's something I've been thinking about.

I didn't realise people could get the linked address for a PO BOX so easily. Something to consider. I use my home address at the moment so in that respect, my home address is already out there! I think I may be going for the virtual address...aahh decisions decisions!

 

[tb1234]

This might be of interest:

The geographic address of the service provider must be given. A PO Box is unlikely to suffice as a geographic address; but a registered office address would. If the business is a company, the registered office address must be included in any event.

http://www.out-law.com/page-431

 

[carmen0k]

This might be of interest:



Hi,

I understand that by law a company has to show their registered office address on all stationary etc however you can buy a registered office service which you use a particular address when you incorporate your company however if any correspondance (apart from government letters or in some cases if more that 15 items per year) goes to that address unless you take out a virtual office service the mail is returned to sender.

Its the correspondence service I am more concerned with. I would prefer to use a PO BOX address as at least you'll receive all your mail (provided the mail person puts the mail in the right PO BOX). Rather than signing up for a service which you can be withdrawn at anytime, you only have the company providing the services say so that all items have been processed and you will most likely start paying to receive junk mail as there is usually a handling fee for all mail addressed to your company.

Would you prefer to deal with a company using a PO BOX or land address?

Thanks,

Carmen0k

 

[tb1234]

It depends what your business is. If you are selling to the public via a website you are not supposed to use a PO Box, but the address that you trade from and the registered office address if it is different.

Tony

 

[which]

Hi,
In my opinion, if your dealing with other businesses, they don't like to give you credit if you use a PO address and if your dealing with the general consummer they like the "security" of a land address. So I think it depends on your target market.

 

[dataferret]

A PO Box always makes you look like a small business which cannot afford to rent proper offices. A virtual office address gives your clients the impression you are more reliable because you have your own premises.

Have you tried www.maildroppers.com for your virtual office address? The mailbox 10 service is only £120 per year (£10 a month) plus postage for mail forwarding. It was set up to help ecommerce shop owners have a street address in order to comply with the law but lots of people who work from home use it too. (Phone number is in my signature).

Another alternative is to rent space and address from someone who already rents premises and does not mind sharing their business address with you.

 

[Alison Tepal]

I personally think a virtual office is the way forward.

Pro's -

Great address
Professional Image
Access to the office & meeting rooms if/when you ever need to meet a client
Cost effective

In terms of other companies having the same address it really isn't an issue - for example how many different companies rent space out at Canary Wharf and don't they look unprofessional by having the same address as each other....

PO Box's maybe cheaper but they send alarm bells to most customers - most scam artists use them and they really don't portray a good image....just my thoughts.

 

[annethedonn]

I can offer you a London city address or Northampton for your registered office (if you are limited) or just a mail forwarding address. £300 for London and £150 for Northampton plus post handling per item. London you can actually go in and use the facilities, but Northampton is mail forwarding only. If you take it out before Good Friday I'll knock off 20%. Can incorporate call answering service with this as well.

PM me if you need more information.