Business setup guides
Practical guides for freelancers and home-business owners. Start with your address, then explore the services that fit your business.
Where would you like to start?
Addresses & mailboxes
Choose an address, understand its limits, and compare mailbox costs.
- Virtual mailbox benefits: is one right for you?
Understand how it works, the benefits, and whether you need one.
- Business address for a home business
Choose between a home address, mailbox, registered agent, and office.
- Virtual mailbox vs. registered agent
Separate everyday mail from official legal notices.
- Virtual mailbox vs. PO box: choose for your workflow
Compare remote scans, local pickup, packages, and costs.
- Business address for an LLC: match each address field
Match mailing, principal-office, and agent addresses to their purpose.
- Keep your home address off business listings: a practical checklist
Review where your home address appears and what you can change.
- USPS Form 1583: virtual mailbox signup checklist
Prepare identity documents and the mailbox authorization process.
- Virtual mailbox fees explained: estimate the whole bill
Check scans, forwarding, storage, and renewal charges before paying.
- Anytime Mailbox vs. iPostal1
Compare location-specific services and plan terms.
- Only a few letters a month?
Decide whether a subscription makes sense for just a few letters.
LLC setup
Understand the formation process and which services you may need.
- Plan your home-business LLC setup.
Compare filing assistance with direct state filing and plan your next steps.
Business operations
Plan the everyday essentials for a home business or freelance practice.
- Home-business setup checklist
Work through the essentials before purchasing business services.
- Choose a business phone setup.
Review separate numbers, texting, porting, and recurring fees.
- Organize invoices and business records.
Plan client invoicing, payment fees, and business records.
- Plan payroll for your first employee.
Prepare employer responsibilities and compare payroll costs.
- Business insurance for freelancers
Identify coverage questions to ask before requesting a quote.
Shipping
Understand postage, subscriptions, and the cost of sending orders.
- Plan shipping and postage for your home business.
Compare shipping workflows, subscriptions, postage, and returns.