As a new online startup, you’re considering Nevada as the place to run your business! You want to be the next Zappos. Makes sense as Nevada is one of the most business-friendly states and one of the 7 states that currently does not have a state income tax, which is a welcomed break for starting your new business. It’s an ideal place to start a new business, but before you get too ahead of yourself, here are 7 things every new startup founder should know about Nevada business addresses.
1. When You Form a Nevada LLC, You Must List a Business Address
No matter your business, you’ll need an address. You can use your home address, but that risks your privacy because check out just how many places you’ll need to list it for your LLC:
- Articles of Organization which are your formation documents for your LLC
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) it’s needed for your business taxes
- Your website that will be published and visible to the public for more than just your customers to see (including strangers and hackers)
- Emails and correspondence with customers
- Handling accounts with suppliers and vendors
- Business licenses, permits, and contracts
That list is just a few of the locations your business address is used. As you can see, you’re going to need it for a lot of different things. If you’re considering using your home address for your business address, just know that your home address will be on public records, which you can read more about in the next section.
2. Your Nevada Business Address Will be on Public Documents and Records
Remember that long list of places in #1 where your business address will be needed? Well, all of those places and much more that wasn’t even listed are public. Yikes!
Your home address will become public record when used on your formation documents, accessible on the Nevada Secretary of State website. Anyone can access these public records that include the details of your business, including your business address. When people first hear about something, they’re going to do their research before they pull their wallets out and pay. Wouldn’t you? Well, when potential customers or competitors start researching you, one of the first things to pop up will be your business address.
This is a huge factor that you should weigh when considering your business address options. Make sure to consider all options for your business address, and follow along to the next section to see the limitations that come with using your home address.
3. You’re Limited When It Comes to Using Your Home Address as Your Business Address
Due to zoning and HOA laws in Nevada, you might not even be able to operate your business out of your home. While it is not impossible to use your home for your business, Nevada laws make it a very limited option.
According to the City of Las Vegas Department of Planning, “A home-based business should be one that has no impact on the neighborhood and is essentially invisible to the neighbors. A home occupation permit is required and there is an additional charge of $50 for this permit, but the licensing process is essentially the same as any other business.” There are restrictions on the type of merchandise and services you can sell and limits on customers and employees coming to your household.
Regardless of these restrictions, using your home address as your business address is not an ideal option.
First, your privacy and security are at risk if you use your home address for your business. As stated earlier, your business address is used for everything from the Articles of Organization to your website and everything in between. That means that anyone who searches your business up will have access to your private home address and can easily plug your home address into Google Maps and show up unannounced at your door. No one likes unpleasant surprises, especially from strangers or disgruntled customers so protect yourself and don’t use your home address for your startup.
Using your home address to stand as your place of business also makes your business lack credibility and professionalism as a newly founded startup. When people do research on your company, which you should hope they do because that means they’re interested in learning about your business, one of the very first things they will see is your home address. If they see a home address rather than an office or professional address, they will automatically start doubting the credibility of your business. As a startup, one of your biggest tasks is building trust with new customers and maintaining a professional image. You don’t want to lose legitimacy and business because of your address. And once you use your home address for your business, it’s really difficult to take back.
Basically, you can use your home address if you don’t care about protecting your privacy, but we strongly don’t recommend this option for your Nevada LLC. Protect your business reputation and image, and get a separate business address from the start.
4. Changing a Business Address is a LOT of Work
As an online business, you have the freedom to move around without disrupting much of your business operations. However, if you change locations often, so will your address. And if you are using your home address and move often this can be a major hassle when it comes to changing your business address, not to mention the time it takes for a new address to update across all systems and documents, even if you’re moving down the street.
As a startup owner, you will have to worry about changing your business address with the Nevada Secretary of State, in addition to all of your marketing material, online listings, business bank accounts, your mailing address, all formation papers, billing information, vendor and customers invoices, plus much, much more.
Essentially, everything you have used your business address to sign up for, previously and post business, will need to be changed. Because no one is perfect and it is very difficult to keep track of every single thing you have used your business address for, you'll be sure to miss some items, and that comes with fines and fees or lost checks.
Ok, you probably understand by now that using a home address as your business address is not your option. It’s too risky, unprofessional, and a pain to maintain. Then, what about a PO box?
5. You Can’t Use a PO Box as Your LLC Business Address
Unfortunately, you don’t want to hear this answer, but in the state of Nevada, if you are an LLC, you are not legally allowed to use a PO box as your business address.
Regardless, there are two major disadvantages that come with using a PO box for your business.
Firstly, it is inconvenient. For every time-sensitive or important business document that is mailed to your PO box, you will have to deal with the stress of traffic and rush hour to get to the post office. Think about if you’re meeting clients or you’re traveling that’s nearly impossible to manage your important mail and packages.
Secondly, using a PO box address means you won’t have a professional business image. As a startup, professionalism is essential in order to have credibility and gain the trust of your customers. Remember you want to be the next big company and that comes with building a strong brand image and trust. Would you want to do business with someone using a PO Box?
6. You Can’t Use a PO Box For Your Business License
Similar to how PO boxes will not work as your business address in the state of Nevada, they will not help you obtain a business license either. PO box addresses are not considered a real physical address, which limits what you can do with the PO box address.
Once you get to the point where you are registering for your local business license with the city of Las Vegas, Park County, or North Las Vegas, some of those jurisdictions will not license businesses that list a PO box. You actually have to have a physical address instead.
So, a PO Box doesn’t work for any business needs either. Bummer, but good to know now. What address choices do you have, though?
7. What Business Addresses Can You Use?
Now you know that PO boxes and home addresses don’t work for your business address. You want a business address that is professional. You want a business address that will protect your privacy. So, what business address option fits the bill?
Virtual Office
A virtual office provides businesses a physical address that you can use as your business address and services that you would typically see in a physical office. You will be able to receive the business services without the actual overhead of renting or owning the property, which means it is a cheaper option compared to a physical office. However, it is still a pricey option in the grand scheme of things, so consider your needs before ultimately choosing this option.
A virtual office is best for businesses that need to hold in-person meetings, either with their team or clients, and require services such as receptionists, conference spaces, a local phone number, and mail-handling services.
Essentially, if you don’t want the burden of renting or buying a physical brick-and-mortar office and want the feel of a real “office”, a virtual office is for you.
Virtual Mailbox
A virtual mailbox offers a physical business address that can receive all of your physical mail and packages. It provides services that include scanning and digitally sending you your mail, so that you can view it from any device no matter where you are, much like email. You also have the ability to request what you want to do with your mail: open and scan, forward, recycle, or shred/destroy all with a click of the button. This option is the most flexible option if you don’t need a physical place to work every day. It’s like your office without the office.
If you run a remote business and don’t need a physical space or need to meet with clients, then a virtual mailbox is the best choice for you. A virtual mailbox will provide you with everything you need to be successful from managing your mail to protecting your privacy to upholding your business image without the price of costly rent or long commutes.
Virtual mailboxes offer you a permanent business address to help you stay successful while running your startup. Another great thing to note is that even if you change locations or even move out of the state, you can still use the same address given to you via the virtual mailbox for your business. Skip the headache of changing your business address no matter where you move!
Conclusion
Nevada is a popular place to start your business. As a state with some of the most business-friendly laws and policies, it makes sense to set up your online shop in Nevada. However, it is important that you are prepared and know everything you can about Nevada business addresses.
In order to start a Nevada LLC, you will need to list a business address on pretty much everything. This business address cannot be a PO box or home address (most of the time, as it is a very limiting option), and it will be used for everything business-related, including public documents and records. If you want to change your business address, you will need to do a lot of work to update your address on every business platform necessary (except when you use a virtual mailbox!). And lastly, if you care about protecting your privacy and running a successful business, two options to consider for your business address are a virtual office and a virtual mailbox.
For startup owners who don’t require a physical office space to operate their business, a virtual mailbox is the most flexible and convenient option. Be sure to think carefully and choose the best option for you based on your business needs.