In the UK, unless you start your business as a sole trader, you need to register your business address with Companies House. This register is open to the public, and therefore, anyone can access your business address. It must be a physical address rather than a PO Box.
This is fine if you have a shopfront or physical location because you can just use that address. Someone will be there to handle any post, and someone showing up is no big deal. But what do you do if you run your startup from home?
Many business owners who work from home choose to use a registered business address service. Accountants and lawyers often offer this service to people who are incorporating their company. The fee they charge for this may often include services like collecting and forwarding any post that is sent to that address too.
Reasons to Consider a Registered Business Address Service
There are many reasons to use a registered business address service; we use one for our business. The two most common are privacy, and they rent their home.
Using a registered business address service allows an extra level of privacy for business owners who do not have a physical premises. Nobody wants customers turning up at their front door, especially disgruntled customers. Using a registered business address service prevents that issue and adds a layer of protection.
If you rent your home, a registered business address service is prudent. You don’t have to worry about changing your address with Companies House every time you move or worry that important documents are being sent to the wrong address.
What If I Have Office Space or a Shop Front?
If you have office space or a shopfront then you can register that address with Companies House. It will save you money on the fee to use a registered business address service, and it makes more sense for your mail to come directly to you. Be aware that you may receive some promotional material from businesses that use the Companies House records as a mailing list.