Post office (PO) boxes have been around for decades, giving people a mailing address that isn’t associated with where they live or work. They are cheap and easy. But there’s an equally cost-effective and simple option for those who want their mail delivered elsewhere: A virtual mail service.

Virtual mail service, or virtual address, is associated with an office building where you don’t actually have an office (although you can get one there). This may not seem like a major difference when compared to a PO box, but there are actually multiple reasons why a virtual address is far superior to a PO box:

Show up in Google Search

Have you ever searched for a local business on Google? Usually, you’ll find them at the top of the search results page. That’s because they are part of Google Places. A Google Places result can really help your business’ visibility, and although a Google Places listing is free, you are required to use a physical address. Therefore, PO boxes can’t get you a critical Google Places result; but a virtual address can.

Make sure important documents get signed for

Sometimes you need to accept important documents that require a signature, and there’s no one around to sign at a PO box. A virtual mail service is connected to an office building with a virtual receptionist, who will be available during business hours to accept packages and sign for documents.

Be able to give your clients/business partners an actual address

PO boxes, while convenient and cheap, don’t scream professionalism. And because of the ease of getting a PO box, they have been associated with seedy businesses in the past. A physical address helps your partners/clients know that they’re dealing with a legitimate business, with an address that can be verified if necessary.

The opportunity to add services

Right now, a virtual address may be all your business needs – but that can easily change. Companies that provide virtual addresses often have additional virtual office services, such as virtual assistants, open office space and conference rooms available for hourly or daily rental. As your business grows and your needs change, a virtual office can be a valuable asset.

As you can see, there are many benefits to having a virtual address that you can’t get with a standard PO box. For a reasonable cost, you can add professionalism and versatility to your business.