Use this guide to help a client pick the best business address for privacy, professionalism, legal compliance, and cost.
Have the client list every place the address will appear:
State filings (LLC/Corp formation, annual reports)
Registered agent address (required for LLC/Corp)
IRS/tax accounts (EIN, payroll, sales tax)
Banking (business checking, merchant accounts)
Google Business Profile / Maps
Website + invoices + marketing
Customer returns / deliveries
Mail from clients
Legal notices (lawsuits, government mail)
✅ Key insight: Many businesses use more than one address (ex: registered agent for filings + mailbox for public-facing).
Ask:
Do you want your home address visible on public records?
Do you meet clients at your location?
Could a client show up uninvited?
Is your business in a “higher risk” category (legal, activism, high-emotion services, dispute-heavy industries)?
If privacy is a priority → do NOT use a home address publicly.
Explain these basic rules:
Registered Agent Requirement (LLC/Corp)
Most states require a registered agent with a physical street address in the state (not a PO Box).
PO Boxes Don’t Work Everywhere
Many banks, state agencies, and shipping carriers want a street address, not a PO Box.
Home-Based Business Rules
City/HOA/landlord rules may restrict signage, client traffic, employees, or inventory.
Google Business Profile
If they want to show on Google Maps, they may need:
A real staffed location, OR
A service-area business setup (and they hide the address), depending on category.
If anything is unclear, client should verify with:
Their state’s business filing office
Their city zoning department
Their landlord/lease and HOA rules
Their attorney/CPA (for legal/tax nuance)
Have the client pick the closest match:
Examples: cleaning, handyman, consulting, coaching, photography on-site, mobile services
Priorities: privacy + mail reliability + professional image
Examples: ecommerce (drop ship), digital products, remote agency
Priorities: privacy + banking compatibility + returns/mail handling
Examples: salon, therapy office, studio, boutique
Priorities: zoning + customer access + signage + credibility
Examples: contractor with tools, product storage, light manufacturing
Priorities: space + deliveries + insurance + compliance
Best if:
Low-risk business
Tight budget
No concern about public visibility
Minimal deliveries/returns
Watch-outs:
Address becomes public on state records in many states
Privacy/safety concerns
HOA/landlord/zoning restrictions
Harder to look “professional” for some industries
Good for: early-stage solo service providers, online businesses starting out
Best if:
They only need a mailing address
They want basic privacy
Low cost, simple setup
Watch-outs:
Can’t be used as a physical location for many legal/business uses
Some banks/vendors won’t accept it as “principal address”
Packages from certain carriers can be an issue unless the post office supports it
Good for: simple mail handling when “street address” isn’t required
Best if:
They want a street address format (often looks like Suite #)
They receive packages regularly
They want privacy + professionalism
Watch-outs:
Still not always valid for registered agent / legal service
Must confirm bank/platform acceptance (varies)
Monthly cost higher than PO box
Good for: online businesses, service businesses, anyone wanting a public-facing address
Best if:
They don’t want their home address on state filings
They want reliable handling of legal notices
They travel or keep irregular hours
Watch-outs:
Registered agent address is usually for legal documents, not daily mail
You may still need a separate mailing address for customers and packages
Annual fee
Good for: LLCs/corps, privacy-focused owners, out-of-state owners
Best if:
They meet clients in person
They need a credible location for Google/maps
They need work separation, storage, staff space, or compliance
They want to build a “real location” brand
Watch-outs:
Highest cost and commitment
Lease terms, insurance, zoning, signage rules
Some coworking spaces don’t allow business registration or public listings—verify first
Good for: client-facing businesses, teams, inventory-heavy operations
Most clients do best with one of these combinations:
Home address for legal/tax/banking
Optional: PO box for customer mail
Registered agent for state filings
UPS/PMB for public-facing address + packages
Home address kept private (used only where required)
Registered agent
Coworking/shared office for meetings (and possibly public address)
Mailbox service if mail handling needed
Registered agent
Warehouse/office lease or light industrial space
Separate customer support/mailing address if needed
Have the client answer:
Do you want your home address public? (Yes/No)
Do you meet clients at your location? (Never/Sometimes/Often)
Do you receive packages/returns? (Rare/Regular/Frequent)
Do you need to appear on Google Maps? (Yes/No/Not sure)
Do you travel or keep irregular hours? (Yes/No)
Is budget tight right now? (Yes/No)
Rules of thumb:
If privacy = No → avoid home address for anything public.
If packages = Regular/Frequent → UPS/PMB beats PO box.
If LLC/Corp → registered agent is often worth it.
If meeting clients often → shared office or dedicated space.
Once they choose an option:
Choose “Legal Address” plan
Registered agent? Home? Office?
Choose “Mailing Address” plan
PO box or UPS/PMB?
Update addresses everywhere
State filing / registered agent
IRS records (if needed)
Bank + payment processors
Website, invoices, email signature
Google Business Profile (if applicable)
Test mail
Send a test letter/package and confirm pickup rules
Create a privacy policy
Decide where the address is displayed publicly (website footer, invoices, etc.)
If they’re early-stage, don’t meet clients at home, and want privacy:
Default recommendation:
Hire a registered agent (for state filings)
Use a UPS/private mailbox as the public-facing business mailing address
This gives:
Privacy
Professional appearance
Package handling
Less risk than using a home address publicly