| I see it happening all the time... websites with no | | | | Then there's the fact the all of your customers |
| physical mailing address. It's as if they don't exist | | | | can easily find out where you live. Not that you're |
| anywhere but in the scary world of cyberspace. I | | | | hiding from anyone! But you could find yourself in |
| say scary because that's exactly what a high | | | | the situation where you have a few inquisitive |
| percentage of the web browsing population thinks | | | | customers that don't mind "stopping by" to ask a |
| of the Internet. When these people are looking to | | | | few questions! |
| purchase a product and don't see a physical | | | | Using a Mailing Services (Mailboxes Etc., The UPS |
| address, they get scared, and very likely abandon | | | | Store, etc.): |
| the purchase. And don't think that a typical email | | | | The use of a mailing service can be quite |
| address for your contact information cuts it. | | | | expensive ($25-$45 per month). However, there |
| People want a physical location. | | | | are some benefits. You can assign a suite number |
| So, what do you do? Simple. Use a physical mailing | | | | or have a real street name assigned to your |
| address as a contact option in your 'Contact Us' | | | | business address, instead of a P.O. box. This can |
| page and/or website order form. However, if | | | | give the potential customer the impression that |
| you're a website owner that operates from your | | | | your business has an office or building that resides |
| home, don't go and attach your home address to | | | | at the location. However, I have found that the |
| your website just yet, you might want to think | | | | cost of this service usually outweighs the benefits |
| about your mailing options. | | | | associated with it. Nevertheless, the money you |
| Deciding where to have your business mail sent is | | | | pay to use a mailing service is tax deductible as a |
| not as straightforward as you might think. There | | | | business expense. |
| are a few factors that you have to take into | | | | Using Mail Forwarding: |
| consideration - quantity of mail received, length of | | | | Now, if you REALLY want to get fancy you can |
| time at location, convenience, and of course, cost. | | | | opt for the mail forwarding option. Here you can |
| The good news is that you have several options | | | | pay a company in a "big time" city like New York |
| that are available to you: | | | | or Chicago to accept your mail and forward your |
| 1. Your Home Address | | | | mail to you. This is EXPENSIVE! And there is |
| 2. Mailing Services (Mailboxes Etc., The UPS Store, | | | | another major drawback - you are always getting |
| etc.) | | | | your mail about 2-5 days late due to the |
| 3. Mail Forwarding | | | | forwarding time. |
| 4. Post Office Box (P.O. Box) | | | | Using a Post Office Box (P.O. Box): |
| Using your home address: | | | | The use of a P.O. Box is, in my opinion, the best |
| Using your home address is definitely the | | | | choice for those that run high traffic websites out |
| cheapest option. To the small to medium size | | | | of their home. Not only does your mail get to the |
| website owners, it is probably the best option. | | | | P.O. Box more quickly, but also the cost is |
| However, if you tend to grow rapidly, or if your | | | | relatively cheap (about $50-$125 per year). Again, |
| website already has a large user-base, then your | | | | this cost is a business expense, so save your |
| home address may not be the best option for | | | | receipt and write it off! |
| you. | | | | In my opinion and experience, most people are |
| If you are selling products from your website and | | | | accustom to the P.O. Box and do not mind |
| allowing customers the option to mail in their order | | | | sending orders to it. In fact, many big companies |
| (which is good practice - and many do), then you | | | | use P.O. boxes as a matter of conveniently |
| could potentially get a lot of mail, depending on | | | | keeping the mail separate. |
| the user-base of your website, of course. If this | | | | There you have it, four good ways to make your |
| is the case, then your home mailman will not be | | | | customers feel more secure by adding a physical |
| happy with you at this stage! And you may also | | | | address to your website. Pick the one that suites |
| find yourself spending a half hour out of each day | | | | you and your company's needs best - everyone |
| prying your mail out of your tiny home mailbox | | | | is different. The important thing is to give your |
| that is not big enough to accommodate all that | | | | customers a place to send physical mail. |
| mail. Furthermore, if you ever move you will need | | | | Good luck! And be sure to come back to visit |
| to forward your mail to your new location, which | | | | VictoryKey often for more online business tips |
| never seems to be as smooth as you'd like it to | | | | and discussions! |
| be. | | | | |