Having an online business can be a pretty successful way of earning money but even though it has many benefits, it also has many challenges, such as establishing credibility. For online businesses, there is no physical way for customers to visit and ask questions or verify legitimacy. That’s why online business owners need to find a way to ensure the customers that the quality of their work is real, trustworthy, and professional. Using a PO box is a simple but effective way to achieve this goal. It offers a secure and professional mailing address that protects privacy. 

You may be wondering what a PO box actually is and how it works. Why businesses are using it, and the most important question is, how it can increase the credibility of your online business. Keep reading, because you are about to find out.

What is a PO Box?

A PO box is a locked mailbox that is located inside a post office. Because it’s kept there, it is safe until the owner picks it up. It is usually given to an individual or to businesses that rent it for an extended period and it’s usually rented on a yearly or monthly basis. They come in different sizes and shapes which allows the owner to choose the right one based on their mailing needs. They are an ideal option for receiving letters, documents related to business, smaller packages, etc. Instead of your mail being delivered to your home or office address, you get to pick up your mail from a secure and centralized location all on your own.

How Does It Work?

Well, here is the main question and for some people, the main concern. You may be wondering how do PO boxes work and whether they are simple to use. The answer is yes, they are!

 Here is a step-by-step on how to use it:

  • Rent a PO box. You can sign in at your local post office or on the online registration process. Fees depend on the box size and location.
  • Once you sign and finish the registration process, the PO box is used as an official mailing address. Everything that you receive will be delivered here, instead of in your home or office.
  • Most locations work 24/7 and you can pick up your mail anytime. Mail can be picked up by business owners or their authorized relatives. 
  • You have forwarding options where you can redirect your mail to another address when necessary. Not every post office has this option, but most of them do.

Why Do Many Businesses Use PO Box?

Many online businesses use this variation for many positive and beneficial reasons.

For example, if you are a business owner who travels or relocates a lot or you decide to change your location one day in the future, the PO box provides flexibility for relocation and your mailing address remains unchanged. Your mail reception continues no matter the circumstances. 

Many business registrations, tax filings, or banking transactions require a valid and stable mailing address. That’s why PO boxes meet legal and compliance requirements.

It also protects your privacy and is an ideal option for someone who works from home. It avoids security risks because your business mail is being handled separately from your mail which keeps the address of your home confidential. It gives you and your business more of a professional appearance because customers and vendors are usually most likely to trust someone who has a stable and official mailing address.

With this method, damaging your mail or any kind of theft or loss is reduced to almost impossible to happen because, as we said already, PO boxes are located in a very secure place and the chance of misdelivery is almost equal to zero.

Enhance the Credibility of Your Online Business!

Having the trust of customers is one of the most important things that a business owner needs to pay attention to. In online business, customers are not able to physically visit a store. They need to rely on various credibility factors before deciding to make a purchase.

PO boxes create an established and professional image, which solves one of the biggest online business challenges – appearing legitimate. Having a stable mailing address looks much better and more professional rather than having a random home address.

It increases customer service and trust as well as gives them more confidence when buying something. Usually, when a customer sees a personal address or no address at all, they hesitate and eventually give up on purchasing from that business. This way, you will reassure them that your business is legitimate and reachable.

Customers also feel more comfortable when they know that their mail is sent to a monitored and secure location instead of a random home mailbox. It is an ideal way for businesses that handle sensitive information such as contracts, customer returns, or invoices. It enhances security for customer correspondence.

Image Source

Limitations That You Should Consider

As we could notice from all the above, PO boxes have many benefits, but there are a few limitations that you should consider. It has a limited package acceptance because some courier services do not deliver to PO boxes. However, nowadays post offices offer additional services that accept packages from carriers. Do your research. It does not serve a physical office address, which may be a problem for businesses that need to display a commercial presence.

PO Box is an added business expense but is usually very affordable and the benefits they bring will surely outweigh the cost.

Credibility is one of the main factors for online businesses in attracting and retaining customers. Having a PO box is surely a simple and effective way to enhance the professionalism, security, and legitimacy of your online business. Your customers surely won’t hesitate in purchasing if you ensure a professional address, protect your privacy maximally and ensure the mail handling. 

For those who are running an online business, no matter if it’s from home or in any other place without a proper physical office, investing in a PO box is a really smart and strategic move toward building a credible and trustworthy brand.

Further Reading:

How Improving Your Customer Service Can Benefit Your Business

How Social Media Breaches Can Impact Your Business’s Cybersecurity Strategy