Business Address is the physical location where a company conducts its operations, interacts with customers, and receives mail or deliveries.
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As the term implies, the definition of “business address” is the physical address you designate as your principal place of business when forming your small business.
Options to list for your business address might include:
Importantly, however, some states may place restrictions on what type of addresses are permissible for use as an official business address. Thus, be sure to check the specific rules and requirements of your state before you proceed.
Depending on what type of legal entity structure you select for your business, you may not need to designate a physical business address.
For example, if you’re forming a sole proprietorship, you won’t need to formally register your business entity with the state. Thus, you won’t need to have any particular business address on file.
However, if you want to form a limited liability company or a corporation, most states will require you to designate a principal place of business address when filing your legal entity formation paperwork.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind if you’re considering a P.O. box. You are not allowed to use a P.O. box as the physical address you list on your business license. For registration purposes, a business address must be a legally valid physical address.
You can, of course, use a P.O. box for regular mail, thus keeping your home address private.
Even if you don’t have to designate a formal business address for your company, doing so is generally recommended. In fact, there are a number of reasons why having a separate business address can be a good idea. For example, having a physical business address can provide you with:
While you’re not always legally required to have a physical business address, it’s certainly something to carefully consider
Selecting a business address isn’t always an easy decision and may require some thought in advance. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are a number of important factors to consider when choosing a business address. For example, before setting your business address in stone, you may want to consider:
Make sure you consider these and other relevant factors as you make the decision on where to locate your business.
Choosing the right business address is an important decision for any small business. And while you may not need to have a business address that is separate from your residential address, there are many reasons why this can be a great idea.
However, there are many factors to take into consideration before selecting an address for your business. Don’t be afraid to take some time to figure out what address might be best for your business’s needs and goals.
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Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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