The step into self-employment is exciting and involves a lot of decisions. One of these is often underestimated: choosing the right business address. This is because it is far more than just a mandatory entry in the legal notice.
With a rented address, you don't have to make your private home address public or provide it to the authorities. This protects your privacy and at the same time ensures a professional public image. You also create legal clarity and a reputable first impression. And all without the high costs of having your own office.
We have put together five advantages of a rented business address for you.
1. professional public image from day one
When you're self-employed, first impressions count, and that often starts with your business address. A professional address in a prestigious location looks trustworthy and shows that someone is working here: A person who takes their business seriously works here. This can be crucial, especially in the start-up phase: whether communicating with customers, liaising with business partners or working with banks and authorities.
Instead of a private residential address, possibly in a purely residential area, a rented business address in a prime location sends a clear signal right from the start: You are accessible, reputable and professionally organised.
2. on the safe side legally
When you start your own business, you need a business address that can be used as a summons. This means: a postal address at which you can be officially contacted, for example for authorities or court letters. It must physically exist, be regularly maintained and not be a PO box.
A summonable address is therefore a prerequisite for business registration and should be included in the legal notice of your website and on your invoices.
A clear separation of private and business also has many advantages for tax purposes. The tax office only recognises business expenses if the business use is clearly traceable. With an external address, you avoid queries, present yourself professionally and keep your documents organised.
Good to know: Office Club gives you a full company address without the "c/o" suffix. Your address looks official and is recognised as such.
3. protection of privacy
Especially in the initial phase, many self-employed people use their private home address for their business. But as soon as it appears in the legal notice or is given to the authorities, it is publicly accessible: to customers, business partners and even strangers. This can make you feel uncomfortable and, in the worst case, compromise your personal security.
Especially for content creators and people who are in the public eye, it is attractive not to publicly disclose your home address. That's why you also protect your privacy with an external business address. This way, you retain control over who has access to your personal data.
4. work flexibly, remain location-independent and save money
Many self-employed people today work remotely, on the move or from home. A rented business address gives you the freedom to work from anywhere without having to give up a professional address.
You can be contacted at any time, even if you are not on site. Incoming mail is received for you and can be forwarded or made available digitally via scan - a service offered by Office Club, for example. This means you won't miss any important documents and can still remain flexible, whether you're working from home, abroad or travelling between appointments.
Another advantage: you keep your start-up costs significantly lower. Instead of paying several hundred to over a thousand euros a month for your own office with ancillary costs, cleaning and equipment, you can save a fraction of that with a rented business address including mail service. To give you an idea: while a small office in a good location often costs 800 to 1,200 euros per month, a business address at Office Club costs just 89 euros per month. That saves you several thousand euros in the first year: capital that you can put to much better use elsewhere.
And if you do need space for meetings or concentrated work, many providers also offer workstations or conference roomsthat can be booked by the hour. You decide for yourself when and how you use the infrastructure - without any long-term rental agreements.
Do you want the ideal combination of a rented business address and the convenience of working from home? Optimise your home office workspace - we show you how in our article: Furnishing ABC for your home office workplace.
5 Virtual office as the next step
A rented business address is sufficient in many cases. However, there are situations where you need more. For example, if you want to enter your company in the commercial register or use the address as your official registered office. In such cases, a virtual office is the right solution.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the correct business registration with a virtual office or company domicile with Office Club.
In addition to the business address, a virtual office offers you extended services that are important for the formal recognition of your company headquarters. This includes, among other things, that the location is also suitable for carrying out business activities and is not just used as a postal address. That's why Office Club includes one day of coworking per month! This allows you to work on site and actively use the location, which also contributes to the legal protection of your place of business.
Office Club also gives you access to conference rooms at any time - the virtual office package includes 4 inclusive hours per month. You also receive a permanent 50 per cent discount on your conference room bookings.
For many founders, the virtual office is therefore the next logical step as their business grows, their requirements increase or they need an official head office. And all this without giving up the flexibility that enables location-independent working.
Conclusion: Smart start-up with a professional business address
A rented business address is the smart way to start your own business. You present yourself professionally, protect your privacy, fulfil all formal requirements and remain as flexible as possible while keeping costs low.
Smart start-ups save on your own office, but not on a professional appearance!
Do you want to benefit from the positive effects of a professional external image? Then the office services from Office Club are just right for you: Whether business address rent or virtual office - discover the office service that suits you and your business! Find an Office Club near you.
