How Do I Get Mail for a Home Based Business?

You’ve started a home based or virtual business. So, how do you get your mail? We’ll walk you through a few options so you can make the best decision and save yourself some hassle down the road. 

Let's start with the basic options: 

1. Your home 

2. A physical mailbox

3. A virtual mailbox

YOUR HOME

Is it a good idea to use your home address as your business address? In most cases, no. You open yourself up to all kinds of privacy issues. Your personal information is easily accessible on the web and anyone can pop by for dinner just by a looking you up on google maps.

If your home and business are physically connected (maybe you’ve converted the front of your house into a business space), then this could work for you. Otherwise, keeping your work and home life separate is a good thing. 

PHYSICAL MAILBOX

A physical mailbox is one that is located somewhere other than your house. It could be the US Post Office, UPS, FedExOffice or any other national or local company that offers mail service. 

When you choose a provider, here are some things to consider:

• Are they conveniently located?

• What are their business hours? 

• Do they make customers a priority? 

• What size boxes do they offer?

• Are they competitively priced? 

• Do they offer real addresses instead of PO boxes? 

• Do they offer a desirable address? 

Are they conveniently located? 

Depending on your business, you may need to check your mail daily or weekly. Using a convenient location is going to make this task a whole lot easier. Look for an easy commute and parking if you need it. 

What are their business hours?

If you think you’ll be needing your mail before or after the traditional 9-5, look for a facility that offers 24-hour service so you can come and go as you please. 

Do they make customers a priority?

At times, you may need to interact with employees. You want that to be a pleasant experience, so make it a point to observe how staff treats customers or ask a question yourself. 

What size boxes do they offer?

Most mail facilities offer a variety of box sizes. The price goes up with size, so think about what you’ll usually be getting and choose accordingly. Most providers will hold mail for you if it’s too big for your box, but after a few times, they’ll recommend that you get a bigger size. 

Are they competitively priced? 

Pricing depends on your city and box size. Do your homework to determine the most affordable options. USPS generally offers better rental rates than the other competitors. The process is fairly simple – you fill out an application (in person or online) and present 2 forms of ID (in person).

Do they offer “real addresses” instead of PO Boxes? 

Many companies you’ll do business with don’t accept P.O. Box addresses. This includes the IRS and most city and state government agencies. So, it’s important to provide a “real address” – one that doesn’t have P.O. in it. In most cases this will be the address of the facility + your box #. 

Do they offer a desirable address? 

If you do business in an upscale market, you’ll want to consider what address makes the most impact for you.   

VIRTUAL MAILBOX

What exactly is a virtual mailbox? Does your mail get sent to an alternate universe for alien screening? 

Virtual mail is a newer, more modern way to handle your mail. The virtual route takes you out of the mailroom, so to speak. 

In a virtual mail system, your mail is received by a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency) opened, scanned and made available to you online. 

There are many CMRAs to choose from which offer a variety of pricing and address availability. Some companies offer addresses anywhere in the United States with discounts for more than one address. Some companies offer discounts if you use their main headquarter address. 

Some offer other amenities such as depositing incoming checks directly to your bank account, acting as a Registered Agent for your business or call answering and forwarding.

Pricing depends on the plan you choose, generally by amount of mail that’s processed for you, so you’ll want to understand how much is charged per piece above your plan, and if there are any additional charges not included in your plan. Again, do your homework to find the best fit for you. 

Virtual mail is a good option for businesses that get a lot of paper mail. If you typically receive non-paper mail, a physical address would be a better option for you.

There are many advantages to using a virtual mailbox, including: 

• Saves a lot of time

• Accepts mail from all carriers such as UPS, USPS, and FedEx 

• Quick, easy 24/7 access to your mail 

• Provides a commercial business address for a professional appearance 

Physical and virtual mailboxes are a good option for business owners who want to maintain their privacy and enhance their business presence. Each option has upsides and downsides, but understanding your options will allow you to make the best choice for your business.

Resources:

USPS: https://www.usps.com/business/

UPS: https://www.theupsstore.com/mailboxes