Has anyone run a Shopify store without exposing their home address?

I use a virtual mailbox from a company that provides a real street address (not a PO box). It's been fine for Shopify. You just need to make sure the address is on your business registration if you have an LLC, and that the mailbox service will forward mail. Some services offer a 'suite' number that looks like a normal office address. That worked for me.

Doesn't Shopify also require a physical address for tax purposes? I remember they asked for one when setting up payments. But maybe that's only for Shopify Payments, not the basic plan.

You can use a registered agent address for the business formation, but Shopify might not accept it as a business address because it's a commercial mail receiving agency (CMRA). Some people use a friend's office address or a coworking space. Just be careful with CMRAs for payment processors.

I use Shopify Payments and had no issues. The address on file matches my virtual mailbox and my LLC's registered address. I did have to upload a document showing the address, like a utility bill or lease, but the virtual mailbox provided a lease agreement. It csot a bit extra but was worth it.

What about the public-facing side? Shopify stores usually have a contact address in the footer if you use certain themes. You can remove it or replace it with a contact form. But some customers might be wary if there's no physical address. Just something to consider.

I've seen stores use '123 Main St, Suite 456' which is actually a virtual office. As long as it's a real address that can receive mail, it should be fine. But if you're selling physical goods, some jurisdictions require a return address that's physical. So check local laws

Also, consider using a fulfillment service or dropshipping so you don't have to handle returns at home. That way, your home address never appears on shipping labels. If you do ship from home, you can use a return address that's a PO box or a virtual mailbox. USPS allows PO boxes as return addresses for some services.

I think the key is to separate your personal and business addresses. Form an LLC, get a registered agent, and use a virtual mailbox. Then use that address consistently for all business filings and with Shopify. It's doable but takes some setup.

One more thing: if you use a virtual mailbox, make sure they allo you to use their address for business registration. Some don't, or they charge extra. Read the terms carefully.

I second checking the terms. My service explicitly allows business use and provides a notarized document for address verification. It was a bit of a hassle but saved me from using my home address.