Small business owners, sole traders and self-employed professionals often work from home. This makes sense when they need little space: it avoids commuting and the extra cost of renting business premises. Yet registering your business at your home address also has many drawbacks. Many people are unaware of the option of a business mailing address , let alone one in a virtual office building. However, this option offers many benefits for people working from home.
The disadvantages of running a business from your home address
The main disadvantage of registering your business at home is, of course, your safety and your family's safety. Anyone who asks KVK can obtain the business address of any registered company. Angry customers, and thieves who think your company has something worth stealing, can easily find your home. The same applies to companies wanting to bombard you with advertising. Many home-based entrepreneurs struggle to separate work and private life because business contacts, often unwanted, constantly approach them in their private lives.
The benefits of a business mailing address
A business mailing address provides an affordable solution to these problems and offers additional benefits. For example, you can list this address on Google Local, making your business appear more credible to the search engine and improving its ranking. If your company's image matters, you can rent a commercial 'suite' address at an attractive office building. This enhances your company's image, especially on letterheads and business cards. Separating work and private life also becomes easier when your company's bank accounts, registrations and mail use a different address.
Different ways to obtain a business address
There are many ways to arrange a business mailing address, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Prices and facilities differ considerably. It is therefore important to consider which option best suits your business, taking into account your requirements and the type of premises that appeals to your target audience.
Option 1: Rent your own office or business premises
The traditional option is, of course, your own office or business premises. This helps separate work and private life because you handle business elsewhere, and always provides a space to meet customers. However, physical premises are extremely expensive, making them unaffordable for many small businesses and an unnecessary expense for many others.
Option 2: A PostNL PO box
You can rent a PostNL PO box for a few hundred euros a year. All your business mail is delivered there, keeping your home address from being disclosed everywhere. The drawbacks are substantial extra charges for forwarding mail and the inability to receive parcels at the address. The biggest problem is that you cannot use this address to register with KVK.
Option 3: Rent a virtual mailbox or office space
Many people have never heard of virtual office space. Yet it offers an excellent option for thousands of entrepreneurs working from home or running their company from abroad. When you rent virtual office space from Zakelijkhuren24, you can choose from several locations near you.
Further benefits of virtual office space
Zakelijkhuren24's virtual offices are in attractive, modern office buildings. These contain flexible workspaces, day offices, meeting rooms and videoconferencing facilities. You can do most of your work at home while occasionally using the facilities for an important meeting, for example. This gives your business a prestigious appearance.
Option 4: Rent space from a local company
Renting unused space from a nearby company can be a useful middle ground. As companies become more efficient and employees work partly from home, larger businesses often have spare space. Ask around locally to see whether somewhere is available for a desk. This can be inexpensive, because empty desks do not create a good impression and the host company benefits too. The drawback is that you depend on another business.
Room to grow
Zakelijkhuren24 gives your company room to grow. Several packages are available for renting a virtual address or business premises, from basic arrangements costing a few tens of euros per month to offers with attractive additional services. Your company's business address can therefore grow with you.
Changing your business correspondence address? Read how to change your KVK mailing address.