How do I get a domain name for business without supplying my home address?

TriciaW

Hi

I want to set up an online shop, preferably with my own domain but I don't want to log my home address on who is.

I have phoned nominet the uk registry and they say you can not use private domain privacy options on commercial trading sites.

How can I not show my home address on who is? Is there hosts that would mail forward or something or is a mailbox address the answer?

I have little budget so I need a cheap option.

As I said I would prefer my domain but any options would be helpful?

Trix

chalkie99

Not entirely sure why you would want to do that when you are required to show your address on the website anyway.

This is taken from the Business Link website:

If your business has a website, you must display:

general information about your business - including business name, address, email address, VAT registration number (if applicable)
details of any relevant professional body that you belong to or any authorisation scheme to which your service is subject

Regardless of the regulations, potential customers will be put off buying from you if they cannot be assured who they are dealing with.

TriciaW

I don't want my home address being on the who is register for spammers and telemarketers to be able to get at. My home tel is ex directory. And I would just prefer privacy on my home address. Since I have no alternative address to supply, I am wondering how to do it. I am not saying I won't supply an address it may mean looking at virtual office or mail address options. But I don't have a huge budget.

texranger

If its a domain for a commercial website then your MUST display you details in whois.

TriciaW

I know that, I but it does not have to be my home address it can be an alternative address. I have seen something here

with directnic Privacy. which seems to put an address on who is and forwards flat mail. (but that would not solve the address on my website)

It privacy and forwarding service but it is American and I just want to make sure I do this right and legally, The other option is to have a Mail address for the business.

Like I said just want to do it right. I just want options. And cheap ones.
If I have to bite the bullet and register my home I will but would prefer not to.

Trix

paulwf

What about the bigger picture OP? If you are a shop sending out items you will need a return address and it is good to display that on your site. A mail forwarding address will not give your customers any confidence. A web domain registration is the least of your worries, I doubt many marketing companies trawl online shops then check WHOIS records to generating a mailing list.

stephent82

What is the purpose of your website? Like others have said, by law, you must display your details on it. Commercial sites must have business details in your whois. If you are selling you will need an SSL which will contain your details too.

There are, however, ways around this (like everything). If you are using a domain name to forward to, say a yell.com page, you can opt out of whois. You can also get a business PO Box address, however, I would never purchase from an organisation that supplies a PO Box!

texranger

the problem with whois is not your postal address, its the email address that can get spammed, but thats easy set up a hotmail/yahoo/gmail address to use when you register a domain. your physical address is not in any danger in a whois listing.
IT i was ordering something from a .co.uk website that i am not sure of then i would check the domain on a whois and it if was hidden how do i know i am dealing with a UK business, you could be from outer mongolia. (just read through MSE and you will see many fake sites from china etc. using .co.uk domains)

steve1980

If I see a business with a Hotmail, Yahoo or any other free webmail email address they don't get my custom.

TriciaW

As I said I am open to the idea of a business address/ virtual office. I am just hesitant of my home address being on there. I

TriciaW

That seems a bit extreme to me. Many businesses get email packages with their telephone package. It does not mean all non own domain email are dodgey!