Claire France started this topic @ 21:35 on 20/05/2004
I am currently in the process of setting up a mail order beauty supplies company to supply salons throughout the UK. I will be a sole trader and I have heard that it is a legal requirement to have the business address on all things like letterheads and invoices. This is something that I am reluctant to do because local companies will recognise my address to be a residential propery, thus making my business seem unprofessional. I will be operating with a freepost address for customer correspondence, I assume that this would be insufficient? If that is the case, would it be possible to "name" my house, i.e instead of being "House No, Street Name" it would be "House Name, Street Name"? This would be better because there is a business park on my street so it is not obvious to my customers that I am working from home. It is vital that my business appears professional. Any advice would be very much appreciated
]
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
emplaw | 20/05/2004 09:59 PM
It is a legal requirement for you to display your trading address on all of your business stationery and the web site. However the address modification, providing you do it properly with amendment at the Post Office etc should be a good option. Alternatively you can use other business addresses such as those offered by Regus etc as part of their business services package.
------------------------
Lee Schwartz Lime One Ltd www.limeone.com 01244 852550
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
afam | 20/05/2004 10:04 PM
Hello France,
I am operating in Nigeria but I guess your questions are common everywhere. I started my business as a home based business and as a matter of fact still do about 80% of the work from home. Once your potential clients are confident about your work you don't have to bother about displaying your home address on business cards/stationeries.
If however, you don't feel comfortable with that, simply get an office space somewhere and make use of that address. Afterall it's not the best to allow clients to visit you in your home to discuss business unless there won't be any need for any face to face meeting.
I got an office but hardly make use of it because I was forced to do so when I realized that most of my clients preferred seeing me face to face and also preferred paying cash instead of making bank deposits. In other words look at you "new" office as a contact point especially for scheduled meetings instead of a fully operational base.
Just remember that it requires extra (sometimes unnecessary) expenses as you could just do fine running your business from home.
I never bothered for a second about the physical location of Yahoo because I was getting my emails without problems and wouldn't bother today if asked to pay for them. Build on your credibility and every other thing will follow and naturally too.
All the best.
------------------------
Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
http://www.justwebservices.com">href="http://www.justwebservices.com">http://www.justwebservices.com
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
Bizal | 20/05/2004 10:27 PM
It suprising how many companies do run a virtual office nowerdays. There is a large .net development company in Scotland with over 40 staff who do not have or need an office!!! BIZAL used this method when we started up becuase like most people we are visiting or delivery to clients at thier offices. It also keeps cost low becuase which is another big advantage. Your easiest option is to call your house something like Edward, clevland House 21 x street etc and visit your clients. I also do not understand why people dont go to thier clients offices, i.e. make it easy for them to see you so meet at thier place of work and save them time. Oh and if they ask , be honest and tell them you have no need for an office which increases overheads and hence prices for business admin. I would howvere change your household insurance cover!!!!
Good luck
------------------------
www.bizal.com sales development and lead generation services
www.orbit-internet.com online promotion services
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
afam | 20/05/2004 10:49 PM
Bizal,
Valid points raised but do you think it's possible to visit say 20 clients every working day? Even if you can, you will have to spend a lot of time and energy which at the end of the end eats into what you think you may have saved by not having an office (in terms of costs).
On the other hand an office affords you the opportunity to have your clients come to you when they feel like, don't forget it's how you clients want to handle appointments that matter (convenience) unless you have too many of them.
I make my clients realize that I must be contacted on phone before visiting the office cos I may be outside the office. That way I get to the office only when I have to otherwise I work all day at home and save the transportation expenses.
------------------------
Afam Nnaji
Just Web Services.
http://www.justwebservices.com">href="http://www.justwebservices.com">http://www.justwebservices.com
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
cjlashley | 20/05/2004 11:04 PM
Bizal,
Another alternative as someone working from home but need to have a professional sounding/looking address is Mail Boxes Etc - and choose the closest one to your home address.
Hope that's helful - regards, Caroline
Caroline Lashley
The Editor's Office, London
info@theeditorsoffice.co.uk
Tel/fax: 0845 125 9493
------------------------
Caroline Lashley
The Editor's Office, London
Email: theeditorsoffice@yahoo.co.uk
We're currently taking bookings during August for 1-2-1 seminar-based consultations in central London – only £45 during August 2007 only, so if you want to get the basics of using public relations in readiness for 2008, BOOK NOW!
RE: RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
InfoOfficer | 23/08/2005 01:28 PM
Obviously it's better to get a trading address that doesnt have suite or Po Box numbers. Mail Boxes Etc are OK if you dont mind people knowing that it's a glorified Po Box.
Try City Office www.YourCityOffice.com All there addresses are non branded locations that offer proffesional business locations without Suite Numbers / Po Box numbers. Meeting Rooms are also available.
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
brianfin | 23/05/2004 07:45 PM
There is a virtual office company in mayfair who are 60% less on their price. If you want their address send me an email
------------------------
Brian Fin
www.businessbx.com
www.courtico.com
on
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
altyfc | 23/05/2004 10:40 PM
Can you not just use a PO Box?
Aaron
------------------------
Business forums: http://www.aardvarkbusiness.net/chat
Sport forums: http://www.aardvarksport.net/chat
Travel forums: http://www.aardvarktravel.net/chat
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
Claire France | 24/05/2004 11:42 AM
Thanks for all your advice people! I have decided it will be best to name my house after my business. Now, does anybody know how I go about this? Is it just a case of getting in contact with my local council?
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
brianfin | 24/05/2004 05:57 PM
when you register with vat companies house etc give your house address.
do not forget all the other details
------------------------
Brian Fin
www.businessbx.com
www.courtico.com
on
RE: Working from home- Address on correspondence
Estaban | 25/05/2004 11:14 AM
I just rang my local sorting office and gave them the business name. They somehow mark this up in a way that anything with....
Business name
Street name
Town
Post code
Comes to me.
No hasle just a phone call.