Step 3: Business Infrastructure

Virtual Address, Email, Phone & EIN Setup


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Estimated Time: 60-90 Minutes

Set up your professional business infrastructure including virtual address, business email, phone number, and EIN. These are required for banking and legal compliance.

Virtual Mailbox Service

A virtual mailbox provides a professional business address while maintaining your privacy. This address will be used for all official business documents, banking, and legal filings.

PostNet

$15-30/month
Local presence • Mail forwarding • Package handling

UPS Store

$20-40/month
Nationwide locations • Professional address • Mail scanning

Earth Class Mail

$19-69/month
Digital mail management • Check deposit • Global access

Anytime Mailbox

$5.99-29.99/month
Budget-friendly • Multiple locations • App-based
Important: Avoid PO Boxes - many banks and services don't accept them for business registration. Use a physical street address from your virtual mailbox provider.

Business Email Service

Professional email establishes credibility and separates business communications from personal use. Use your business domain for maximum professionalism.

Google Workspace

$6-18/month per user
Gmail interface • Google Drive • Professional tools

Microsoft 365

$6-22/month per user
Outlook • Office apps • OneDrive storage

Zoho Mail

Free-$4/month per user
Budget option • Ad-free • Business features
Pro Tip: If you don't have a domain yet, start with a temporary solution like Gmail with your business name, then upgrade to a custom domain later.

Business Phone Number

A dedicated business phone number separates personal and professional communications while providing flexibility and professional features.

Google Voice

Free-$10/month
Easy setup • Voicemail transcription • Multiple devices

Grasshopper

$14-44/month
Professional features • Custom greetings • Extensions

RingCentral

$19.99-59.99/month
Full business system • Video conferencing • Team features

Local Phone Company

Varies by area
Traditional service • Local number • Reliable

EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Your EIN is required for business banking, tax filing, and most business activities. It's free to obtain directly from the IRS.

Get Your EIN Free from IRS:
• Apply online at IRS.gov (fastest method)
• Available immediately upon approval
• Required for business bank accounts
• Never pay third-party services - it's always free from IRS
Apply for EIN at IRS.gov
Avoid EIN Scams: Many companies charge $50-200 for EIN applications. The IRS provides this service completely free. Only use the official IRS website.

EIN Application Information Needed:

  • Legal name of your LLC
  • Business address (virtual mailbox address)
  • Responsible party name and SSN
  • Business start date
  • Number of employees (likely 0 to start)
  • Type of business entity (LLC)

Step 3 Summary

Home ← Step 2: LLC Setup Step 4: Legal Docs →

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