Unprofessional to use P.O box?

using a P.O box for contact address

[Animated]

i am a freelancer and i work from home, most of my clients find me through my website or mouth to mouth.Here is the problem, recently some wanted to meet me up and come to my work place to discuss the work, before i tell them to usually meet me up at a Cafe or somewhere like it.Would clients think thats unprofessional despite my strong work experience?

[DXL]

When I started working from home, I would generally try to go to their place of work (more so than a cafe or another informal place). Even with an office, I often go to meet clients at their place of work.

But with respect to people wanting to meet you at your place of business, I used to tell them that I was in the process of moving to a new office from an old one (dishonest, but my fear was that they wouldn't want to hire someone working from their home).

After a year of working at home I bit the bullet and got a little $199 a month office. For starters, it was healthier for me to separate a home life and work life, and things were also more effective because there were no longer distractions. From a business standpoint, it made a major difference. The fact that the office was tiny with little more than a desk and a computer didn't matter to prospective clients, what mattered was that I charged less than the guys with bigger offices and I could do what needed to be done. It also made a difference that my business cards reflected a physical address rather than a PO Box.

It was worth the $199, even if I had only used that room to meet people and didn't work out of it, it was worth it. Now I pay about $500 for a five room 1320 square foot office. But its worth it when people stop by, and its worth it when prospective clients realize the area my business is in, it makes me look more reputable.

I would suggest finding a small office, or perhaps trying to sublease a single room in someone else's office so that you can have a physical address and a place to meet clients. If you're going to ask someone to hand over $2000, its easier to do when you look like you're not going to skip town the next day.

[Essex_boy]

Funny thing your address, I rented an office in Central Colchester - not for teh address but for its size and cost.

Many other firms in teh office block were big PLC's and youd be surprised how many peoples jaws dropped when they found out where I was based.

So yes it does matter what your addres is dont use a PO box.

[brianweb]

I too think having an office is great from a merketing standpoint. But if you can't afford it think about getting some testimonials from your existing happpy clients to prove you are reputable. Having people brag on your work helps out tremendously with or without a physical location. This should ease some nervouseness about being home-based. I've been home based for 6 years and always travel to meet clients - works for me. I always let them know upfront that I work out of my home, never try to hide it.