“Where is this business located?”
This question is perhaps one of the first that clients ask when they encounter your business. They want to know whether your address is a real place, as it indicates that your business is credible.
They will look at your website and search for your business address. If they saw your business card or found you through an advertisement, they will want to Google your business and look for your office or shop.
And based on any information they find, they will decide whether they want to hire you or support your business.
How Location Influences Perception
In business, brand perception is everything. It affects client trust. It affects performance.
This is the reason why you buy an Apple product, not a phone called Orange from a company no one has heard of. The market trusts Apple more than a no-name brand.
Your reputation directly affects your profits. And your business address contributes to this reputation. Here are ways that business address credibility influences perception:
- Prestige & Trust: A professional business address in a prestigious location instills trust. It conveys to your clients that your business is in good standing simply because you have an office in a good location. A prestigious address signals that you have esteemed clients and offer reputable services.
- Accessibility & Visibility: By design, commercial spaces are easily accessible and have premium visibility. They get good foot traffic. Their addresses are easily recognizable.
An accessible, visible business address puts your brand in front of clients, especially those who may not be familiar with it.
- Target Market: The right business address doesn’t just put your brand out there; it places your business in front of the right market. A bakery, for example, wants a business address where people get their essentials — perhaps a mall or a mixed-use building.
A service business will benefit from an address with similar business types because the right market will gravitate towards that location. If you run a consultancy brand, you want a business address with other professionals. For example, a building with lawyers, marketing agencies, and the like.
Home vs Commercial Address
Let’s say you operate your consultancy business from home because you’re just starting out. First of all, congratulations on your new endeavour. Secondly, you might want to reconsider using your home address for your business.
Home Address for Business: While cheap and convenient because all your mail will be in one place, using your home address for business isn’t a wise idea at all. Remember, your business address is public information. You don’t want strangers knowing where you live, via your business records.
A home address doesn’t scream “professional business address.” Your clients will think you’re a small-time brand and that your services may not be worth their money.
Commercial Address for Business: As the name suggests, these are locations strictly for conducting business. They are in zones or city sections favorable for launching and growing your business. Some even receive government benefits, such as tax breaks.
A commercial location increases business address credibility. It tells your clients that you’re a legitimate entity that provides trustworthy services.
| Home Address | Commercial Address | |
| Security | ❌ | ✅ |
| Trustworthiness | ❌ | ✅ |
| Prestige | ❌ | ✅ |
| Affordability | ✅ | ❌ |
| Organization | ❌ | ✅ |
If you’re just starting as a business owner, we understand that renting a commercial space may be out of your budget at the moment. Your best alternative is a virtual business address.
A virtual business address is a real physical location in a commercial building or center. It’s a service offered by coworking spaces or companies that provide business service solutions. You can use this virtual address for your business without physically occupying the location.
So you get the same prestige and security as renting a commercial space, without actually spending on standard rent.
Online Trust Signals
Potential clients rely on online trust signals to make purchase decisions. They help the market feel secure in their decision to buy a product or service. Trust signals measure your business’s reliability and credibility.
- Social proof, like reviews or testimonials
- Badges for payment methods or security protocols
- Awards, industry certificates, brand affiliations
- Your business location on your website
A professional business address is a strong trust signal, especially if you operate your business from home and rely mainly on your website to acquire clients. Potential clients will look at the little footer on your website or your contact page and read your business address. If it’s a virtual business address in a prestigious location, they will feel secure about utilizing your services.
Choosing the Right City for Your Virtual Business Address
How do you choose your address from the best cities for virtual business addresses? Here’s a simple guide:
- Your Own City: Best if you will be meeting clients locally.
- Top Locations: Explore the top cities offered by a virtual business address provider and choose an address that best fits your needs.
- Your Business Goals: Do you wish to be seen as a global company? Choose a virtual business address in a premier metropolitan like New York or Los Angeles. You may also choose a virtual business address in another country to give the appearance of global reach. Another option is to pick multiple cities.
Build trust with a professional business address. Pick a virtual address from a reputable platform trusted by professionals and business owners.
