Mailbox Alternative to PO Box UK

Mailbox For Your Registered Office

When you set-up a new business and register your business with Companies House (NI), you need a physical postal address.  Most people think that a PO Box provides the answer. They might assume that they can rent a PO Box UK address and that it will be acceptable.  However Companies House states that “The address must be a physical address in the UK”  A virtual  mailbox alternative to a PO Box provides the best solution to new and existing businesses setting up in Northern Ireland.  Here at Lets Letterbox we provide a range of business mailbox services that can serve the mailing needs of businesses.

Using a Virtual Mailbox Instead of A Post Office Box

In a previous blog on our website last year  Virtual Mailbox or PO Box  , we discussed the virtues of using a virtual mailbox instead of the more traditional post office box.  We asked “What is a PO Box?” and “What is a PO box address?” and we explained how our virtual mailbox service works. When we go through all off the advantages of using a virtual mailbox, the stand-out reason is that a virtual mailbox address is much more professional than a PO box.  Hot on it’s heels, the second major advantage is that our low cost mailbox is so much more affordable than a PO box.  Thirdly a virtual mailbox address from Lets Letterbox  can be set up in less than 24 hours.  It takes Royal Mail up to 7 days to set up a PO box UK address for both businesses and individuals.  Setting up a post box for home businesses can be daunting.  Here at Lets Letterbox our application process for a virtual mailbox  is simple and straight forward.

Companies House (NI) & HMRC

Following on from the advantages of having a virtual mailbox address is the requirement for a registered office address for limited companies to be a physical address.  Important mail from Companies House (NI) will arrive in your new mailbox here at Lets Letterbox.  HMRC will also send self-assessment documentation, payroll codes etc to your mailbox. Your personal details will not be available on public records when you have a registered business address with Lets Letterbox.  Although we hold records on our premises of all Limited companies registered at our addresses, these details are not available on any public registers. Your home address will not show up on any searches online.  Directors service addresses are also available here.  This means that you can separate your business and personal life.

Mail And Post Forwarding

There are a number of options available to potential clients of Lets Letterbox.  With a PO box address, post forwarding options are limited.  With a virtual mailbox address we offer scanned mail forwarding and you can also choose that the post office forward mail to your nominated address.  We also can arrange for mail or parcels to be collected at our offices.  In some circumstances, clients are happy for us to open business mail, scan it and forward it to them by email.  On other occasions they may choose to have the mail forwarded to their home address unopened. Post redirection is very simple with Lets Letterbox.  Our clients can easily change the address and we can send it to any nominated address provided.

Low Cost Mailbox

Finances are a worry when starting a business.  The business entrepreneur doesn’t need to become embroiled in the intricacies of costs involved in setting up a mailbox for their NI registered office address.  Often mailbox providers find ways to add hidden charges to their monthly or yearly charges.  Initially it seems like the business owner has found the perfect cheap business mailbox.  Perhaps they will charge a monthly cost but also charge for every single piece of mail that is forwarded to them.  Our pricing model is simple.  A flat monthly, 6 monthly or annual charge and that’s it.  Everything is included.  The only addition would be forwarding a heavier parcel.  That’s it.  We pride ourselves on our clear and transparent pricing and have packages available to suit all budgets.  For a cheap mailbox solution our Limited Company Monthly service starts at £5.50 per month Limited Company Service or LLP    You can also choose to pay for an annual or 6 month service.

Trading As, Sole Trader and Small Business Mailbox

If you are a Trading As, Sole Trader or other small business, first impressions count.  If you choose a PO Box as your business address it doesn’t present your business as entirely vibrant and credible. Potential customers would not be familiar with some of the more rural home locations of businesses and would shy away from PO box businesses as the latter do not give the impression of being totally reliable.  Business investors, banks and business partners will be drawn to a businesses with an address in a busy, central, city location.  This is where PO boxes fail.  Also, Google My Business does not like PO Box addresses! This is very important.  A google search is one of the first points of contact that a customer has with your business.  When you have  a PO box rental address it will not show your location on Google My Business.  Google prefers a physical location and our mailbox addresses provide the solution.  You can check out our Trading As, Sole Trader and Small Business packages here. Small Business, Sole Trader or Trading as Service

Keeping Safe During The Covid-19 Pandemic

This year has proven to be quite a difficult one with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.  The business community has been badly affected by the economic downturn.  As a result many people have started to work from home while others have been furloughed or have even lost their jobs.  But with that, thoughts for many have turned to starting a business from home.  Many have chosen this route in order to avoid close physical contact with others.  Close proximity between people is one of the main reasons why the virus has spread so rampantly.  The home business route is now the way forward.  Choosing a low cost mailbox from Lets Letterbox gives the budding entrepreneur a business location with prestige in Belfast.    We here at Lets Letterbox make sure that we provide our home businesses with a safe, affordable and reliable service both during the pandemic and at all other times.