Trading Address

[Mani_SB]

Hi All,

I am looking for a service which offers a trading address other than my home address.

Currently I have no option but to use my home address and state it on my e-commerce website which I am not comfortable with.

Would anyone know any cost effective ways around this?

thanks,
M

 

[StevensOnln1]

You're legally required to publish the actual address you trade from. You can use a mail forwarding service etc for your registered office, but you can't list it as your trading address if you don't actually trade from there.

 

[WebFixer]

You're legally required to publish the actual address you trade from. You can use a mail forwarding service etc for your registered office, but you can't list it as your trading address if you don't actually trade from there.

From memory: I do not think this is so. The only entity I'm aware of that demands to know your _trading_ address (where you actually do/make your stuff) is HMRC. And they don't publish it, unless you are VAT registered, and even then, I'm not sure it has to be where you're actually based. It's also not an entirely public database i.e. searchcable via Google.

Any website can _ask_ to know it, but, you are unwise to offer it upfront unless there is no other option.

Otherwise, buy and use a virtual address as your _correspondnence_ address. Especially if you are a vulnerable person.

If you just have a website selling cakes and you put your home address as the contact address, you are being .... foolish.

 

[Newchodge]

From memory: I do not think this is so. The only entity I'm aware of that demands to know your _trading_ address (where you actually do/make your stuff) is HMRC. And they don't publish it, unless you are VAT registered, and even then, I'm not sure it has to be where you're actually based. It's also not an entirely public database i.e. searchcable via Google.

Any website can _ask_ to know it, but, you are unwise to offer it upfront unless there is no other option.

Otherwise, buy and use a virtual address as your _correspondnence_ address. Especially if you are a vulnerable person.

If you just have a website selling cakes and you put your home address as the contact address, you are being .... foolish.

And if your customer is dissatisfied with your service and wishes to sue you, where do they serve the papers?

Many customers, including me, will not consider using a supplier without knowing their official address.

 

[fisicx]

There is a legal requirement to publish your address, contact number, email and registrations numbers on your website and any documentation.

Just use your home address. Nobody is going to turn up banging on the door demanding retribution.

 

[WineMonkey]

Hello, when I started my LC, I didn't yet have any physical trading address except my home, so my accountant allowed me to use their business address instead, which has been very convenient for me. So, I'd recommend asking your accountant. Most don't have any issue with this.

 

[fisicx]

So, I'd recommend asking your accountant. Most don't have any issue with this.

People check addresses before buying stuff online. If they see an accountant's office it will make them suspicious. In any case, you need to publish a returns address - which could be your home. Unless your accountant is happy to accept parcels.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Hi All,

I am looking for a service which offers a trading address other than my home address.

Currently I have no option but to use my home address and state it on my e-commerce website which I am not comfortable with.

Would anyone know any cost effective ways around this?

thanks,
M

Check these out

Privacy Company Formation Package | 1st Formations

Our Privacy Package provides a limited company with registered office and service address - keeping your home address off the public register. Only £67.99.

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Privacy Package

Our Privacy Package provides a limited company and the filing of the first confirmation statement. Set up a new company with Rapid Formations for £14.99.

www.rapidformations.co.uk

 

[HFE Signs]

Why do you wish to hide your address?

 

[WebFixer]

At Fisicx: please post a link where it states the law that you have to publish your trading address (where you actually make your stuff) on your website, and under what conditions you have to do that.

I would also be interested to know how strictly this law is enforced in the UK, if it exists.

I suspect many people would not start an online business if they had to put the address where their wife and child live, as their correspondence address on their website.

For a startup, a virtual address is a no-brainer. If the business doesn't work out, at least your home address can't be found by stalkers years later, or by the unhinged and, yes, by aggrieved creditors when your company goes bust and you, personally, are not legally liable.

Sophisticated shoppers can certainly do their due diligence and buy from Mr. X, who has a high street shop of 10 years' standing, or Mr. Y, who has a UK registered company but drop-ships from China.

Mr. Y, AFAIK, does not have* to publish his trading address on his website. He can put a correspondence address if he wishes to. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=virtual+address+uk

By have*, I mean, in practice, and, I venture to say, also, legally.

 

[fisicx]

I didn’t say if has to be a trading address. You just need to publish the address where you can be contacted.

For a limited company this is usually the registered address.

This could be a virtual address but this can cause issues with Google and other online resources, customers, banks and insurance. If that matters not to your business then go for it. You will lose some potential customers but that may not be so important to you.

 

[Ray272]

Ukpostbox

 

[m4hmo]

I set up ltd company recently and the option was there to basically hide the main address and use mail forwarding address. I didn't use it.

 

[Porky]

Simples:-

1. Ask your accountant if you can use their address as your registered office. A large number will let you. In which case job done.

2. If not, look for a cheap serviced office in your area you can use as a head office trading address or go for a virtual office with mail forwarding services.

3. On companies house the directors own address can be set to the "registered office" address

I totally understand why the OP wants to maintain their privacy.

 

[John P Rogers]

I’ve worked for companies that operated out of business centres, and most business centres will rent you a post box at their address.