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Starting a Home-Based Business? 3 Tips for Keeping Your Address Private

by AnicaOaks

More entrepreneurs are starting home-based businesses rather than renting public spaces. That’s a great move for saving money and protecting your privacy. However, there is more you can do to enhance your security and keep your home life separate from your business activities.

Forward Your Mail From Another Address

A mail forwarding service lets you use another location to receive business mail and then have it forwarded to your home without the senders’ knowledge. A professional colleague with a business office might agree to receive your mail and forward it to your home address. You might have a family member who operates a shop or other small company and will accept mail forwarded to your name or business. You then set up an address forwarding option with your relative or the post office to receive your mail in a timely manner.

Rent a Post Office Box

Some business owners prefer to use a post office box for their business mail. An average size box can typically be rented for less than $100 a year. The downside to a post office box is that you will need to go to the post office a few times each week or as often as you need to check your mail. Another issue that bothers some people is having their business associated with a post office box rather than a street address. Many companies of all sizes use a post office box to handle their mail, so that should not be a major concern. You can register the box rental under the business name and/or your personal name. Fees are usually invoiced twice a year with half due in January and the other half in July.

Share Business Postal Facilities

Contact local businesses to see if they will rent you a mail slot. For a modest fee, you may be able to pick up your mail weekly or as needed while using a bonafide public mail address that will give your business a professional image. An important consideration of this option is whether you can trust the company employees who sort and process the business mail to ensure that yours lands in the right box and doesn’t get accidentally returned or misplaced. As with the other options except for mail forwarding, you will need to drive to the location frequently to retrieve your business mail.

Use one of these options to keep your personal residence private and distinct from your business activities. Have your return address labels printed with the other address so that you don’t forget and accidentally type or handwrite your home location.

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