In 2024, Shopify currently has 700 million consumers, which means its sellers have a wide global reach. This platform gives people the wonderful opportunity to sell goods to people all over the world from the comfort of their own homes, so it can be highly appealing, especially for those who are fed up with traditional careers.
But just because you have a remote business doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t need a physical Shopify address. It’s important to have one linked to your store, as it’ll be used for things like payments and contact from partners, vendors, and customers.
Before you put down your home address, first learn about what Shopify requires of you and more. That way, you’ll be able to make a well-informed decision.
What Address to Use for a Shopify Store?
As we’ve said above, you’ll need a business address for Shopify. You have three main options: your home address, a PO Box, or a virtual mailbox. Read on for the pros and cons of each choice.
Home Address
Admittedly, linking your home address to your Shopify store is the most convenient route. Not only will Shopify send all relevant mail to your house, but partners and vendors can reach you easily too. You won’t have to go anywhere else to receive your business-related mail.
However, you’ll be compromising hugely on your privacy. This is because Shopify will have it accessible as your store’s return address. So if you were wondering, “Does Shopify show your address,” then the answer is “Yes, for returns.”
When customers want to return something, chances are, they’re already unhappy. Then, all it’ll take is one person who doesn’t understand boundaries to show up at your door. Whether you live alone or with others, this can be an unpleasant and even scary situation.
Another thing to consider is that some potential customers will search your home address and realize it’s a residential one. They’ll realize that it’s a home operation, and may not trust the quality of the products or the reliability of shipping.
PO Box
To maintain your privacy, a great alternative is getting a PO Box instead. This puts distance between your home address and your business one, in both figurative and literal senses. That way, you can confidently know that no one will come to disturb your peace.
Your business may take a major hit though. Consumers are less inclined to trust someone with a PO box, as it doesn’t appear very credible. It’s not a very professional setup, after all.
In addition, you’ll hit limitations. For example, you can only use USPS, so if you want to utilize other couriers, a PO Box isn’t the optimal choice. And the box can only hold so much mail, which means you’ll have to frequently travel to check and empty it; this can put a damper in your business operations.
And while you can use a PO Box as your business address on Shopify, it’s not accepted if you want to use Shopify Payments. So again, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Virtual Mailbox
For the majority of Shopify sellers, a virtual mailbox is ideal. The service provider will give you an actual physical address to use, which will give your Shopify store a professional appearance.
Also, they’ll scan the mail they receive and upload them. This means you can view your mail from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. You won’t have to go through the hassle of driving out to pick up your physical mail.
Even better is that the service can filter out junk mail for you. That way, you won’t waste time sifting through everything to get to the important stuff.
If you’re seeking an affordable company, then look no further than Business Anywhere. You can get a virtual mailbox for as little as $20 per month.
Can Shopify Customers See Your Address?
In a previous section, we mentioned that Shopify customers can see your address if they request a return. But what about in normal circumstances?
It’s possible they’ll be able to see the address you’ve put down under “Settings” and “Store details.” In some cases, it may also be added to your store’s Privacy Policy. Plus, if you use some Shopify apps, such as an invoice generator, your address may appear as public information.
If you’d like this information to be private, you can either use a PO Box or a virtual mailbox. Another option is to edit the app templates to obscure your private data.
How to Change the Shipping Address on Shopify
Are you afraid of making a commitment to a Shopify address because you’re afraid it’ll be permanent? Well, the good news is, it’s easy to change this information, and you can do it anytime you want.
First, go into “Settings,” then “Locations.” After clicking on “Add location,” give the location a unique name and type in the relevant information. Check “Fulfill online orders from this location” if you want to sell from this location, and “This location is a retail store” if it’s a brick-and-mortar store.
After saving, go back into “Settings.” Click on “Shipping & Delivery,” and you’ll see the new location for both local delivery and pick-up locations. You can then set it as you see fit.
Put Down the Right Shopify Address
You have several options when it comes to picking your Shopify address, with the main three being your home address, a PO Box, or a virtual mailbox.
While they all have their own strengths and weaknesses, for most people, a virtual mailbox will be the best option. Not only do you get a professional-looking physical address to use, but you’ll also keep your home address private. In addition, you won’t have to go anywhere to pick up your mail, which will provide you with convenience and efficiency.
Would you like to form an LLC before creating a Shopify store? Then sign up with Business Anywhere today. We can register your business and provide you with a virtual mailbox too.
