5 Steps to Find the Right Shared Office Space for You
If you’re thinking about moving your business to a shared office space in the near future, it’s important to make sure that you’re choosing the right one.
A bad workspace can not only take you out of your comfort zone. It can throw you into an environment that isn’t optimized for your productivity. However, it can also put your business at risk by introducing various issues with privacy, reliability, security, and more.
What is Shared Office Space?
Many entrepreneurs and professionals rent shared office space because they find it preferable to working from home. People who work from home are more likely to spend less time working. However, they’re also more likely to feel isolated and disconnected from their peers and colleagues.
Renting a shared office can provide a much-needed shot of energy, motivation, and inspiration - but how do you know if you’ve found your perfect shared workspace? Several key factors make or break a shared office experience, so keep these tips in mind as you search for your ideal shared office space.
5 Steps to Find the Perfect Shared Office Space for Your Business
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to office space, but one option that is becoming increasingly popular is shared office space.
There are many benefits of shared office space, from flexibility in terms of how you set up your work area to sharing a business address with other local businesses. If you’re considering using shared office space for your business, there are some steps you should take first.
Step 1: Know what you’re looking for
There are plenty of shared office space options available. Therefore, you must know what you’re looking for when you begin your search.
- Do you need a traditional business address in a specific location?
- Or do you need just enough space to house some equipment and employees?
Maybe all you need is a home office away from home - in which case, virtual office spaces may be perfect. Be sure to identify exactly what you need before beginning your search.
You can also consider whether or not you want an exclusive or non-exclusive lease; if you opt for an exclusive lease, your company will have sole use of a particular area within a larger building.
Step 2: Research locations that fit your criteria
How do you know what spaces are right for your business? Research local options by calling them, visiting their websites and reaching out on social media. If you’re short on time, consider reaching out to a commercial real estate agent or broker.
An experienced expert can help make sense of your options in a shorter amount of time and let you focus on running your business. In some cases, brokers might even offer complementary services like market research or lease negotiation.
(Keep in mind that brokers also get commission from landlords. Therefore, there may be an incentive to steer you toward more expensive properties.)
Step 3: Get in touch with the right people
Before you make a final decision on which shared office space is right for your business, you must do your research and get in touch with potential service providers.
Do you know of any other companies that work from a particular shared office space? If so, it may be worth contacting them to see what they have to say about their experience working from that location.
Additionally, think about how many other businesses might be sharing your workspace – will there be enough networking opportunities or too much noise?
Step 4: Ask questions during an on-site visit
When visiting a prospective shared office space, take advantage of your time by asking specific questions. You must have a good idea of what you’re looking for before heading out on tours. If a company offers amenities that aren’t important to you, don’t be afraid to pass. This is your business and only you know what it needs.
It will help if you have a list of other companies in mind with which to compare when considering different spaces. For example, if you’re interested in a larger space but don’t need high-end furniture or large conference rooms, then you can save money by going with a smaller location.
However, if your business requires more room or higher-end furniture, then maybe an upscale location is right for you. Regardless of where you end up locating your shared office space. Make sure it meets all of your requirements so that it doesn’t become another expense down the road.
Step 5: Evaluate all your options
You may think you already know what kind of shared office space you want. However, it’s important to consider all your options and see if anything has changed. Look at what other types of shared office spaces are available in your area.
While co-working and hot-desking are popular, there are several other types that offer great benefits depending on your needs and preferences. It’s easy to get so focused on co-working that you forget there are many other options out there.
Conclusion
When you’re in a new city, it can be hard to get a read on what your options are. If you need some help finding shared office space for your business, look online at co-working spaces and see what others have said about them. Check out Yelp and Google reviews from real people who have worked there. See if they match up with your needs - and if so, take that as a recommendation!