I use my street address as I feel people have more confidence in something "bricks & mortar", however my address is a house in a development of 18 houses, each with a separate unit number, and the unit number is only provided to clients. I've never had anyone try to pop in and anyone hearing my 100lb office manager, Fang (woof) in the background certainly wouldn't want to try it

Lynne

__________________
The Wordpro Wizard
www.wordprowizard.com

Okay guys I can provide significant insight for you. I started my virtual assistant business after working for a "turn key" office company for 6 months.

The "turn key" office is one large office (in my case about 12,000 sq feet), that is broken down into mini offices for small business owners to lease at an affordable rate. They share a community break room, copier, fax, scanner, shredder, receptionist, lobby, etc.

They also offer "virtual offices" whereby our clients get a prestigious business address, a virtual phone number, which is a land line phone that you have either forwarded to a voice mailbox that you pick up via email or phone when you are available, OR can have forwarded to your cell (which is my preference). Mine is actually answered by a receptionist and forwarded to me (announcing the caller) on my cell.

This way you can work in multiple cities and have a presence wherever you need one (virtually). The monthly packages are not very expensive either. When I worked as their employee, some virtual clients actually just had me scan their mail and email it to them.

It's a great arrangement.

Food for thought.
Sandy

Wow, I wish I would have read this thread last week. I just rented my PO box, and got the one that is within walking distance. That one was more expensive and I could have gotten the one downtown and had my mail forwarded! Oh well, I can always change it in 6 months.

__________________
Chela Lucia
www.LucentAdminSolutions.com The Bright Choice for Virtual Assistance!

wow, i am learning so many great tips on this forum. it is a god send. who knew you could forward a po box to your physical address!

I am also glad i searched the forum for this. I was very curious about what others use as their business address. Especially with not wanting to use our physical address. I did not know either that you could forward a PO Box to our physical address. That's great to hear! I will have to go to the post office and check it out!

Great thread... I just want to reiterate that I got the "box" through AAA mail box company (cheaper or as cheap as p.o., cheaper than UPSetc)... BUT I do have a "street presence" - 1155 E Twain Street, Suite 108-70, Las Vegas NV and along with that is the service of forwarding my mail to me if I am out of town and don't want to pick it up.... many different services under one roof. I also have magic jack and LOVE It.... I like the idea of the virtual office mentioned above and have had that live person presence before (but right now that is more $ than I want to pay) for $20/yr I can pick up voice msgs via my phone or sent directoy to my email (my preference)...

The US Postal Service does offer the "Street Address" option (for FREE) if you have someone/a business who will not accept a PO Box. You can list the address like this if 123 Main Street is where your PO Box is located and 98776 is your PO Box number:


123 Main Street
#98776
Anycity, ST 27888

Personally, I am a single parent and I do not want my home information all over the web if I can help it. I did find it online one time and I worked to change that as quickly as possible.

At least using the USPS way helps you to keep from incurring additional fees. Mailboxes etc was EXTREMELY convenient for me (basically across the street) but it was a bit costly! I can drive two miles to get my PO box mail and save the diffference.

__________________
Anjanette
Precise Assistance

Hi All,

I am a newbie to the actual "legal" side of VA (just starting my legal entity) but think that having a physical address is enticing for some. I would not mind having a PO Box but (my question is) would that defeat the purpose of someone feeling comfortable seeing a physical address on business material. In your experience would it make sense to obtain a physical virtual address? Any help would be appreciated!!!

I use my physical address, I don't have it posted all over the internet, only clients have it and a few potential clients due to mailings and things like that. It is on my business cards.
For me it's a happy medium like I said it's not on the web but I do have an actual address to show. I think it's comforting to some clients to know "where I am" so to speak.

__________________
Stacey Harris
On Demand Virtual Assistant

Thanks Stacey, that helps alot! Just kind of hesitant since I am home during the day alone with two small children.