Even in this age of email, text messages, cloud storage, and instant digital correspondence, you still absolutely need a physical mailing address. From receiving personal mail to conducting work for a business, physical mail is something that simply can't be avoided. Fortunately, there are options to streamline the process with a more modern approach. 

Virtual mailboxes allow you to receive your mail at a professionally-staffed mail service provider who will digitally scan your mail and make it available for instant viewing. All you will need is an internet-connected device to get started. While digital mailboxes provide many advantages, they may not be right for everyone. Keep reading to find out who uses a virtual mailbox and why.

What Is a Virtual Mailbox?

Virtual mailboxes allow you to select a mailing address in nearly any U.S. state. Once you pick your address and sign up for a virtual mailbox service, all mail sent to that address will be scanned and made available online. Virtual mailbox users then have the opportunity to pick what happens to their mail, including shredding it or forwarding it to a different address for pick up. This service allows for uninterrupted mail receiving, regardless of where the owner of the mailbox resides.

Popular Virtual Mailbox Features

While the reasons for selecting a virtual mailbox can vary, some popular features include:

• Online mail notifications
• Online mail scans
• Option to open and view mail online
• Mail forwarding for letters and packages
• Mail shredding, disposal, and recycling
• Package storage
• Signature upon delivery services
• Check deposit services
• 24/7 customer support
• Physical and online security

Who Needs a Virtual Mailbox & Why?

From business owners to world travelers, a virtual mailbox just may be the perfect solution for receiving and organizing mail. Below are some common types of people and organizations who are currently taking advantage of the benefits a virtual mailbox can provide.

Startups & Small Businesses

All businesses require an address to operate in the United States. Many small businesses choose to use the owner's home address, but this is not always ideal. Virtual mailboxes add credibility to the company and let the owner to keep their personal information private. 

Benefits of a virtual mailbox for startups and small businesses include:

• A permanent address, regardless of where your home or office is located
• Added privacy by separating home and business mailing addresses
• Quick and easy access to your mail from anywhere
• More options for document storage and management

Caregivers for Elderly Parents

Often, caring for an aging family member involves taking on day-to-day responsibilities. Setting up a virtual mailbox for an elderly parent may allow caregivers to access, review, and organize their mail from afar. Benefits of a virtual mailbox for caregivers may include:

• Receiving mail without disturbing household members
• Reviewing and managing incoming mail online
• Disposing of junk mail and potential scams before they arrive

Remote Workers & Digital Nomads

Digital nomads are people who choose to work as they travel, usually to a variety of foreign countries. These new types of modern workers take advantage of coffee shops, libraries, and internet cafes to complete their work. 

While this nomadic lifestyle is an excellent way to experience new things, it can make receiving mail difficult at best. Virtual mailboxes allow digital nomads to maintain a permanent address while forwarding what they need to their current residence. 

Benefits of a virtual mailbox for digital nomads include:

• Managing mail remotely, including packages 
• Maintaining a permanent, U.S. based mailing address 
• Taking advantage of improved security features 
• Depositing checks remotely to a U.S. based bank account 

Expats

An expat is a person who is living or working outside their home country. Living abroad can pose many challenges to receiving mail and packages from back home. Virtual mailboxes can help expats keep a mailing address, regardless of the country they are residing in. Benefits of a virtual mailbox for expats include: 

• Staying connected with friends and family back home 
• Improved convenience compared with maintaining an international mailing address 
• Enjoying the privacy of not having to rely on friends or family to forward mail

Military Personnel 

Serving in the military can mean frequent moves. A virtual mailbox eliminates the need for constant mail forwarding or address changes and gives family and friends a consistent address to connect with. No matter where they're stationed, a virtual mailbox can allow military personnel to:

• Check mail securely from anywhere online 
• Receive mail from any carrier 
• Accept and forward packages (unlike a P.O. box) 

Snowbirds 

Snowbirds typically split their time between two homes, one in a northern location for the summer and something more southern for winter. This allows them to enjoy milder temperatures in every season but can make mail delivery difficult to track. Benefits of a virtual mailbox for snowbirds may include:

• Not worrying about being home to receive mail 
• Consolidating mail for multiple homes 
• Eliminating junk mail and clutter 

Students Living Abroad 

Students who live and study abroad may find it difficult to receive important mail from their university, employer, or family. Virtual mailboxes are a simple way to stay connected from anywhere in the world. Benefits of a virtual mailbox for students living abroad may include:

• Easy and instant access to mail online 
• Access to important school or work documents 
• Ability to remotely deposit checks to U.S. bank accounts

Travelers

Whether you are on the go for work or fun, frequent travelers of any kind will love the benefits of using a virtual mailbox. You can seamlessly continue to receive your mail and packages at a secure location, which can be monitored from nearly any internet-connected device. Plus, if you receive a letter or package you need, you can easily forward it to any domestic or international address.

Benefits of a virtual mailbox for travelers may include:

• A permanent mailing address 
• Real-time notices and updates on mail received 
• Convenient access to review and read mail online

Find the Right Virtual Mailbox for Your Lifestyle 

Do you keep missing your at-home package deliveries, or are you losing important documents because your friends or family forget to forward your mail? A virtual mailbox allows you to take control of your inbox with easy and convenient organizational tools. 

Let the virtual mailbox experts at SnapMailbox help you pick a plan that's right for you and your needs. We started SnapMailbox to make virtual mailboxes simpler and more affordable, and with our no-risk, 30-day trial, it is easier than ever to get started. Visit our sign up page now to learn more.