A coworking space can be so advantageous for your business for a number of reasons, but choosing a coworking space can be a little tricky. This style of working has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years, meaning that there are now more coworking spaces than ever out there.
So, how do you pick the best coworking space for you?
Here are 18 points to consider when making your decision.
Location, Location, Location
Location is key when it comes to picking a coworking space – after all, you want it to be in an area that is easy for you to access.
While walking distance from your home would be ideal, any location that has good transport links will make life so much more convenient. You should also make sure that the location you pick has some good amenities around it – while many coworking spaces offer on-site kitchens and gyms (as you will learn about below), it’s always good to have a choice of shops, restaurants, and bars around you.
If you know that other members of your team may be joining you some days, then choose a location that is as central as possible to everyone to make the commute a little easier.
24/7 Access
Being able to access a coworking space 24/7 may not seem like a big deal to begin with, but this could be a game-changer when you have tight deadlines to meet.
This is also extremely useful if you often work with people in other time zones – you will likely be working outside of standard 9-5 hours, making it important to find a coworking space that is equipped to tailor to that.
Designated Desks
Shared working areas are great, but there may also be times when you need a little more privacy and space. This is why many coworking spaces, including Circle Hub, offer designated desks.
This allows you to claim a desk for your own use, without having to commit long-term. This differs from hot desking, which is the most popular form of coworking, as this means that you simply turn up and work at any seat that happens to be vacant.
While hot desking is cheaper than going for a designated desk, it doesn’t offer the same level of reliability.
Private Office Suites
If you need a temporary private area to work in, many coworking spaces also offer private office suites. These are perfect if you need to work with a few different team members, as these office suites can often accommodate up to five desks.
They are also great for those working on more sensitive projects that cannot be viewed by members of the public until completed.
Conference Rooms
If you know that you will sometimes need something a little larger than an office suite to hold meetings, then you need to look for a coworking space that also has conference rooms.
Make sure that these are going to be big enough for your needs, and don’t forget to check which facilities are included. For example, a flat screen and a whiteboard are often key when it comes to presentations.
Budget
Budget is a huge factor when it comes to picking a coworking space. However, you will generally find that most coworking spaces are much more cost-effective than renting an office, and the fact that you don’t need to commit to a long-term lease is also a huge bonus.
Pricing structures will usually vary depending on what you actually need, so make sure that you ask for all pricing details when considering a coworking space.
An On-Site Kitchen
When working long hours, you need plenty of food in order to keep your energy levels, and therefore your productivity, at a peak. Rather than having to rush outside three times a day in search of local cafes, look for a coworking space that has an on-site kitchen.
Even better, many also offer complimentary beverages and snacks, allowing you to focus on your work without having to worry about a rumbling stomach.
If you take a tour of the Circle Hub coworking space, be sure to stop off at the kitchen. Not only is this area done up so beautifully, but it is well-stocked with a variety of different snacks. You can even enjoy a delicious breakfast here – the perfect way to start a productive day!
Cleanliness
Nobody wants to work in a dusty, dirty, and cluttered space. Not only is this uncomfortable, but all of those distractions will also limit productivity. Plus, you need a space that you can be proud to call your work space if you ever need to bring other members of your team, or even clients, over.
While pretty much all coworking spaces will have cleaners, make sure that their standards of cleanliness are up to scratch. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the cleaning services in that space, and pay attention to how everything looks when you take your tour.
High-Speed Internet
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it may surprise you to know that many coworking spaces are often lacking when it comes to their WiFi speed.
Chances are, you’re going to be touring any potential coworking spaces before you sign up, so give their WiFi a little test on your visit.
A Warehouse Space
Many don’t realize that there are coworking spaces out there that also offer warehouse space, which is exactly what you will find at the Circle Hub Northridge location.
You may not need this space to begin with, but it’s a great option to have as your business grows. Having an on-site warehouse with 24/7 access, along with a forklift free for your use, will make a huge difference to stock levels and distribution, enabling you to grow your business faster and easier.
Of course, make sure that the contract terms are suitable for your needs – a month to month option is best for maximum flexibility, especially if you only pay for the space that you actually use each month.
A Virtual Office
Wondering what a virtual office is?
It’s basically a professional address that you can use for your business, which is ideal for those who don’t have a fixed business address. Using your home address for business correspondence is not only unprofessional, but can also be dangerous, making a virtual office so useful.
The virtual office service offered by Circle Hub allows for you to pick up any mail during office hours.
Wondering if there is any way to access your mail when you’re traveling?
Yes, Circle Hub can digitally forward it to you, no matter where in the world you may be.
An Event Space
An event can lead to a huge surge in growth for a business, and even though you may not currently be considering hosting an event, it’s always good to have this option for the future.
Yes, you could always go and hire out a separate event space, but it’s always so much more convenient to have one at the location you’re working in.
The event space at the Circle Hub Ventura location can accommodate up to 170 people standing, or 130 people sitting, making it perfect for medium-sized events. They are available for rent by the hour, half day, or full day, meaning that you won’t end up over-paying if your event is only going to be a couple of hours long.
As an added bonus, you will also have access to an event coordinator who will ensure that your event is a success.
If an event space is important to you from the start, don’t forget to check that this space also has access to high-speed WiFi, along with a restroom and a kitchen.
Organized Events
While some coworking spaces are equipped with an event space for you to host your own event, others also host events for coworkers in those spaces too.
Networking events tend to be most common, but many coworking spaces will also host social events. This is perfect for those who find it difficult to socialize outside of work, whether due to long hours or simply being unable to meet people who have similar interests to you.
A Fitness Center
Did you know that regular exercise leads to an increase in productivity?
Unfortunately, many claim to be too busy to make time for the gym, and this is totally understandable for those who are running a new startup or who are entering into a busy period for their business.
However, you don’t want to miss out on all of the professional benefits that exercise can bring, which is why a coworking space that also has a fitness center can be helpful.
Make sure that this is fitted with the equipment you enjoy using – cardio machines and weights tend to be best for a quick midday workout. All equipment should also be clean and well-maintained.
Printing Facilities
Just like WiFi, printing facilities may seem like a given, but there are many coworking spaces that don’t offer these.
Yes, in this day and age, printing might not be quite as important. After all, most documents can be handled electronically.
However, there will always be times when you need something printed. Rather than having to rush out to find a local printer who will be able to print what you need in the allotted time, on-site printing facilities make it easy to print whatever you need.
Lounge Areas
No matter how busy you may be, it’s important to take breaks once in a while.
Stress can be so detrimental to productivity, making it important to regularly take some time out during the work day.
While you can easily do this at your desk itself, a lounge area is much better for encouraging you to relax. Whether this means catching up on some reading or simply closing your eyes for ten minutes, make sure that the lounge area at your potential coworking space is calm, tranquil, and comfortable.
A Games Room
While not an essential, a gaming room can definitely make the work day so much more fun! Taking some time out to play a few games can also be a huge stress reliever, while helping you to clear your head and giving you a new perspective on any problems that you may be trying to solve.
Some coworking spaces, such as Circle Hub, offer gaming rooms that do just that. Even better, visiting clients and team members can also make use of these facilities.
You may also find that some of your best ideas and brainstorming sessions happen while you are gaming, as this is a great way to boost creativity.
The Importance of a Tour
As mentioned earlier, the only way to really decide whether or not a coworking space is right for you is by taking a tour.
Yes, you may be able to deeply scour their website and social media pages, but there is no way for you to really experience the ambience of a particular coworking space unless you visit.
This will also give you the opportunity to see what type of professionals you will be working alongside. Ideally, you want a good mix of people who have similar values to you – this will prove to be so inspiring, and can also be helpful when you’re looking for new people to help with certain projects.
It isn’t easy to choose a coworking space, and although many offer flexible, no-commitment contracts, meaning that you can easily move on to somewhere else if you aren’t happy, it’s always better to pick the perfect space to begin with. By knowing exactly what you need, along with how much you’re willing to spend, you will be able to pick a space that works well for you and enables you to be as productive as possible.