Thinking of making the move to a coworking space? There are now more coworking spaces out there than ever before, which gives you plenty of choice. However, before you go ahead and sign any contracts, there are a few things that you should always check. Keep reading as Circle Hub explains exactly what to look for to ensure that your coworking space of choice is the perfect fit for you.
Check That the Location is Convenient and Accessible
One of the biggest benefits of coworking is that you no longer have to trek across the city to a specific office space. Instead, you can choose a coworking space that’s easy for you to access, meaning a much shorter commute time!
However, while you may have spent a while mapping out the different options around you, there’s more to convenience and accessibility than distance. Sure, you may have found a coworking space that’s just a ten-minute drive from your house, but what’s the point if you then have to spend half an hour circling the block in the hopes of finding a parking space? Starting your day with a frustrating commute will severely impact your productivity, so pay attention to the actual door-to-door time, testing out the drive (and parking) for yourself.
At Circle Hub, we have plenty of parking available at both of our California locations. Our coworking spaces are easy to access by public transport too, enabling you to leave your car at home and take a greener approach to your commute.
Flexible Hours
Flexibility is a big part of coworking. You get to choose where you work and when you work – that’s the beauty of it!
With that said, flexibility is quite a subjective term. You’ll find that different coworking spaces operate on different levels when it comes to flexibility, especially in terms of opening hours. While Circle Hub is open 24/7, seven days a week, not all coworking spaces offer this. Some adhere to a 9-5 structure, while others are open at all hours during the week but closed on weekends.
While your current routine may fit in with those opening hours, make sure that you don’t end up restricting yourself in the future. Working late into the night to meet a last-minute deadline or hosting a middle-of-the-night video conference with overseas clients will all be much harder if you don’t have access to the coworking space you’re already paying a monthly fee for.
Workspace Options
If all you’re looking for is an available desk whenever you need one in a shared workspace, then you shouldn’t have any problems finding this. These types of workspaces, known as Hot Spots at Circle Hub, are at the heart of just about every coworking space.
However, the modern working world often calls for more, and many coworking spaces are happy to provide. Take our Designated Desks, for example. You’ll be in the same shared workspace environment we discussed above, with the difference being that you’ll be able to book your chosen desk in advance, instead of picking from what’s available when you turn up. With this service, you’ll be guaranteed that your favorite desk will be ready and waiting for you, even during peak hours.
At Circle Hub, we also have private office suites available. This adds a whole new level to the concept of coworking. You’ll still be in a coworking space, benefiting from all that coworking offers, yet you’ll also have the privacy of four enclosed walls. While you may not need an office every day, it’s a nice option to have if you ever need to brainstorm with your team, conduct a confidential video call, or even host a meeting.
Reliable Amenities
Certain amenities are expected of a coworking space. WiFi, for example, is one that everyone would assume all coworking spaces to have. While this may be true, the reliability of those amenities is a whole different story…
While a coworking space may boast about its impressive internet speeds, these aren’t going to be very helpful if its WiFi is down more often than it’s up. Likewise, a coworking space that sells you on free refreshments is only going to feel like a disappointment if those refreshments are poor-quality or aren’t regularly restocked.
How can you tell if a coworking space has reliable amenities? Reading reviews, which we’ll soon discuss in more detail, is one way to check. However, the only truly accurate way is to pay a visit to that coworking space yourself to find out if their promoted amenities are up to your standards.
An Atmosphere That Suits Your Vibe
Most coworking spaces pride themselves on having an inclusive atmosphere with a community feel. For many, this is one of the big perks of working at a coworking space. You’ll no longer have to deal with feelings of isolation. Instead, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a buzzing and motivating environment.
With that said, every coworking space will have its own vibe. To ensure that you fit in at the coworking space you choose, make sure that its vibe aligns with your own.
Say, for example, you feel energized when you have some background noise and you’re able to regularly interact with other people. A coworking space that has a more relaxed and collaborative environment would be a better fit for you than one that’s very strict about noise and distractions.
Some coworking spaces are also heavily dominated by certain industries. While Circle Hub is home to a diverse range of professionals, other coworking spaces are geared more toward techies or creatives. You may feel excluded if you pick a space that doesn’t attract like-minded people.
The Potential for Networking Opportunities
Even if you’re an introvert on the hunt for a quiet and secluded coworking space, it’s important not to ignore the potential for networking. After all, this is something that coworking spaces make so much easier. With networking crucial for career progression, picking a coworking space that offers various networking opportunities could make a huge difference to your future.
Can’t you network at all coworking spaces? Yes, but some encourage this more than others. Some coworking spaces host networking events to facilitate interaction between members. If this is something you’re keen on, then, again, do some research into what those events are actually like. While some coworking spaces may host formal networking seminars and conferences, others, like Circle Hub, focus on casual, down-to-earth events that don’t come with quite as much pressure.
Ergonomic Furniture
When you’re looking at the different coworking spaces around you, furniture is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it plays a huge role in productivity, making it something worth paying attention to.
Chances are that there will be some days when you’ll need to do long stretches at your coworking space. Feeling uncomfortable on a hard chair and cramped at a small desk is only going to hinder your efficiency.
At Circle Hub, all of our furniture is chosen with ergonomics in mind. While some coworking spaces choose furniture that falls into the cheap and cheerful category, ours has all been designed to ensure long-lasting comfort so that you can do your very best work.
Wellness Facilities
Many professionals struggle to achieve a healthy work-life balance. As a result, many coworking spaces try to help with this. If you could do with some assistance in this area of your life, seek out a coworking space that offers a few different wellness facilities.
At Circle Hub, for example, our members have access to an on-site gym. In addition to the usual gym equipment, we also host yoga classes here, encouraging our members to be as physically fit and healthy as possible. After all, physical health is linked to mental health, with both being tied to productivity.
Membership Plans and Hidden Costs
Earlier, we talked about how flexibility is one of the biggest perks of working at a coworking space. This flexibility applies to pricing too. With coworking, you don’t need to sign up for a long-term contract. Most coworking spaces operate with a monthly membership fee. For a set price, you’ll have access to the workspaces and amenities available at that coworking space.
Of course, like with many other businesses, some coworking spaces have hidden costs too. If you’re on a tight budget, the last thing that you’ll want is to sign up for a coworking space only to discover that the facilities you were hoping to use come at an extra price.
To prevent this from happening, always do your due diligence when it comes to learning about pricing and costs before you sign anything. Find out if there are extra charges for printing, using conference rooms, or accessing any of the other on-site facilities. If there are, account for these in your budget before making your decision on which coworking space to choose.
Good Reviews
Chances are that before you buy something, especially a big purchase, you usually check for reviews. This has now become the norm – reviews are so easily accessible that it only makes sense to confirm that you aren’t throwing your money down the drain.
Well, the same applies to shopping for a coworking space too! Online reviews will be plentiful, so be sure to check these out. In addition to browsing the reviews on the official website for the coworking space you’re considering, make sure that you also check third-party websites, like Google and Yelp.
Finding the Perfect Coworking Space
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when searching for the right coworking space. Don’t rush the process – it’s important to take your time so that you make the very best decision. Go through your various options, put together a shortlist, and then make sure that you take a tour of each of your choices. This is the only way to really soak up the ambience of a coworking space for yourself, so that you can be certain that it’ll be a good match for you.
Click here to book yourself in for a tour of Circle Hub’s coworking spaces today!