|
|
|
|
|
Many Internet and home
businesses still use a post office box for an
official business address. And that may be fine
when it comes to businesses where products are
not sold, but when products are being sold on
your website, your customers may want to know
where your business is located, and for many
reasons as well.
For example, before purchasing the product, they
may want to estimate how long it’s going to take
for them to receive the product if they opt for
ground shipping services.
Or they may want to know where your business is
located just for the sake of curiosity or to
make sure that you’re located here in the
states. |
|
|
|
| |
| Many times, customers will want to check out
your online store when purchasing products from
you for the first time. And they may do so
diligently when it comes to non-major internet
storefronts.
However, if a potential customer sees a PO Box
as your business address then that in itself can
quickly become a red flag and cause them to shop
elsewhere, even if you are a legitimate
business. |
| |
It’s not that PO Boxes are bad, it’s just that
PO Boxes don’t belong on ecommerce websites
which sell products and/or services.
Furthermore, when it comes to websites, many
consumers become programmed to believe that PO
Boxes are fake addresses and signs of possible
scams.
They begin to question as to why no physical
address is made available on the website if it
is indeed a legitimate business. However,
instead of contacting the business owner(s) and
asking about such matters, they leave the
website and move on to next online store in the
search engine search results. |
| |
No matter how honest you
are, and how well you do business, most
consumers are aware of the fact that there are
plenty of scams on the internet using PO Box
addresses on their websites. And hiding your
real address can cause you to be seen as such.
This is one of the reasons why most people won’t
do business with a website that hides its real
address and displays a PO Box instead.
The absence of a physical address may raise
concerns almost instantly. And if they do not
see a physical address on your website then they
may not buy anything and make no attempts to
contact you as well.
Many times, when a customer is ready to purchase
a product from an online store for the first
time, they must become confident in placing an
order from that store, especially if they’ve
never heard of you before.
They need to know that your business is based
within the United States and that you can be
contacted at any time should any problems arise
with their orders.
They need to know that your business really does
exist and displaying a physical address on your
website will confirm this.
You can add a contact phone number and an email
address but that may not be enough to instill
confidence within consumers. You’ll need a
physical address to build and support
credibility and to avoid losing sales as well.
However, there are other options to consider.
You can use the services of a mail forwarding
company which can provide you with a physical
address for your business or use you can use
your home address as well.
For example, you can open up an account with a
mail forwarding company such as Mail Boxes Etc
or any mail forwarding company as most service
providers provide the same type of services.
Mail forwarding companies offer a PO Box and a
physical address as well. And you can use that
physical address for a business address and for
your website as well. |
| |
However, using the
services of a mail forwarding company solely for
the purpose of having a physical address to
display on your website will bring extra and
unnecessary business expenses. And until your business
starts turning a profit then these are the types
of expenses that you can do without. But of
course, that’s up to you. And if you’re able to
do so then you can obtain a physical address
with a mail forwarding company.
You can also use your home
address for your business address and website
address as well. And by doing so, you can
avoid the time and gas needed for the daily
trips to the mail forwarding office and the
extra business expenses. Furthermore, everything
becomes less complicated when you’re using your
home address for every aspect of your business.
Some business owners may
become concerned with the possibilities of a
customer showing up at your door step. But the
possibilities of this happening are slim to
none.
Therefore, there is no
need to worry as customers who shop online, buy
online and have no need to visit the actual
storefront. This is the convenience of internet
shopping. Furthermore, most consumers prefer to
purchase products outside of their home state in
order to avoid sales tax. |
| |
So if you’re doing
business from home then you may be better off
using your home address for your business
address and website address as well. (It will be
impossible for your customers to know that your
business address is your home since the only
thing that they’ll see is your website, and not
your home). And if your website displays
professionalism then your business will do the
same. And if you’re living in an
apartment complex then you can add your business
name to your street address yet leaving out the
abbreviation for apartment, (apt) and replacing
it with the # symbol.
For example:
YourBusiness.com
123 Business Road #456
State, City, Zip Code
So if the question still
remains; Should You Use a PO Box or Your Home
Address?
To support credibility and
avoid unnecessary expenses, you would be much
better off using your home address for your
business address and website address as well.
And if you’re able to afford the added expense
of a mail forwarding service then you can also
obtain a physical address from a mail forwarding
company as well. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
<-Back -
Main Page -
Next-> |
| |
| >
How to Choose the Right Business Entity for You |
| >
Sole Proprietorships Explained |
| >
Corporations Explained |
| >
Partnerships Explained |
| |
|
|
|
