Finding coworking space that suits the needs of your staff is no small task. With so many variables to consider, things can become overwhelming quickly, so we are here to assist you with understanding what you need from your office and where to find it.
RELATED: What is a Coworking Space?
How to choose a coworking space
There are many things to consider when looking at renting shared office space, but there are a few factors that you don’t want to compromise on.
Location
One of the benefits of coworking space is the ability to place yourself in the heart of wherever you want to be. Base your business in an area that is central to your staff and that reflects the ethos and values of your company. For example, if your company is highly creative and you want to be surrounded by culture and a vibrant community, consider looking for spaces in Bristol.
Cost
Especially for smaller or startup businesses, coworking spaces are much more cost-effective than a traditional office space, using shared infrastructure.
When you begin to see what’s on the market, it can be tempting to go for office space with big kitchens and modern gadgets, but consider what tools you truly need to get the job done. Compromise is key when it comes to budget, so consider moving slightly out of city centres and figure out how much space you will actually need for your staff.
However, don’t be too disheartened. Easy Offices has a great selection of offices in city centres to choose from on a budget, such as this coworking space in Alfred Place near Covent Garden, for only £60 per month.
Opening hours
Make sure you check the opening hours of the office to ensure it works for your staff. If you frequently work with clients abroad or have flexible working hours for your staff, you may want to take advantage of 24-hour access to your office space.
Use the Easy Offices filters to find 24-hour office space at the click of a button.
Amenities
Amenities (or services) are one of the most important things to consider when looking for coworking space. Whilst shopping around, keep asking yourself “Does this space offer what I need to do my job?”.
Amenities that you may come across include
- Meeting rooms
- Kitchen
- Printers
- Scanners
- WiFi
- Phones
- Multifaith spaces
- Good desk space
- Ergonomic seating
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that amenities come at a cost, so only go for what you need, as tempting as it may be.
Office Layout
Whether you want to work more collaboratively with your coworkers or the other businesses sharing your space, or perhaps you want more opportunities for private meetings, these will all affect what type of office layout you go for. From open-planned spaces great for creative thinking and networking opportunities or an office with multiple breakout rooms, it’s important to consider your company’s needs and the way your staff enjoy working. If you’re not happy with our preexisting designs, go ahead and design your own office space!
Community
Coworking spaces naturally lend themselves to working alongside different groups of people and building a sense of community. From this, opportunities can arise that give your business a boost, be it from networking, picking up new knowledge from employees in different industries or simply getting to know people you wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. That’s why community and events spaces can be a great addition to your office as they can provide regular opportunities to learn, network, demo your products or services, and meet investors, clients and mentors.
RELATED: How Coworking Spaces Are The New Social Networking Clubs
Find startup coworking space
When it comes to startup businesses finding coworking space, the considerations you need to make are similar to that of a more established business. However, here are some things to think about when looking for the next shared office space for your company.
Consider your expansion rate
If you’re looking to hire 30 people in the next six months, you’ll need to look at spaces that will accommodate your growth. Besides, no one wants to move around every six months because of poor planning – think ahead.
Price
Amenities, location and size can all affect the cost of rent for your coworking space. As a startup, we’d advise keeping this expense as low as possible to begin with, to allow your money to go back into your business. 38% of startups fail due to running out of money, with 60% of businesses failing in the first 3 years, so being smart with your outgoings and getting over the struggle of your first few years before making larger investments can help you in the long term. Once you’ve started making profits you can make the upgrade to a more luxurious coworking space.
Know your needs
When choosing a workspace, make sure you are selective with the amenities you want. Make sure that whatever an office has to offer will support you in reaching your goals. This will help you to keep a focus on where you want the business to go, rather than on unnecessary perks.
RELATED: Startup Office: Does Your Business Need an Office?
Whether you’re ready to start looking for your next coworking space, or you’ve got questions to ask, visit our website where we can guide you in the right direction.