Aspects to consider when looking for an office for your business

Buscar una oficina Looking for an office

If your small business has more customers every day and everything is running smoothly, it is time to start looking for an office that is suitable for your expanding business. But, before you start looking for that space to continue growing, there are certain important aspects that must be considered. Such as the budget available, the needs to be met, the type of design and the growth plans.

Since there are several factors to take into account, choosing the perfect office is one of the biggest challenges for owners. Therefore, here we will tell you what aspects to consider when looking for an office, so you can choose the best space for your business. Read to the end!

What aspects should you consider when looking for an office for your business?

The budget

Before you can start looking for office space, it is important to know what your budget is. Knowing your budget will help you narrow down your options early on based on what you can realistically afford.

Small expenses such as the Internet, technology tools, staff, and office supplies can add up quickly. Think carefully about what they will cost and also factor in slow periods for your business and worst-case scenarios. Compare your income to expenses and you will have a good idea of ​​how much office space your business can afford.

Needs

Your business has needs and so do your customers. Your business needs may include parking or access to public transportation for your staff. Likewise, you might expect to have a professional reception area or a state-of-the-art conference room for your new business presentation.

So one of the first things you will need to determine when you start looking for an office is how many square feet you need and the areas or spaces you want to have,

Growth

If your business is just starting to grow, a small space now might be more suitable for your business and your staff. But, consider the additional space if you plan to grow your team. As you grow your business, you may be able to sublease the additional space on a short-term lease, which might be a good idea. This way, you will have office space as your business grows over the next few years.

The types of additional resources and amenities they need

Owners should consider what type of resources and amenities they need, in addition to the physical office space. Conference rooms? Printing, copying, scanning, and other office technologies? Exclusive parking?

Having a complete idea of ​​these needs will help find the office space that best suits your needs. Many spaces may include some or all of the above amenities, while others may include nothing more than a private room. Determining the full scope of needs is an important first step in effectively ranking all options.

Flexibility

Both short-term and long-term needs should be considered as best they can. It can be difficult for early-stage businesses to forecast beyond 1-2 years, but owners should do their best to consider whether the spaces they are considering would suit their needs for one year, two years, or five years.

Environment and community

When looking for an office, it should be considered the type of environment in which they work best and the type of community they are interested in being a part of. Some business owners may find the notion of being in a collaborative and shared work environment with another stimulating. While others can be distracted by the same environment. For them, personal work style, interest, and need to connect with others must be considered. As well as other personal preferences before committing to a space.

Different types of space when looking for an office

There are four different types of space you can find when looking for an office: traditional, temporary, shared, and coworking:

Traditional

This type of office offers space control and it is easier to establish a brand image for the business. Staff work in private offices and it is quieter and with fewer distractions. On the downside, renting a traditional office space could be more expensive because you are paying for that privacy.

See also Benefits of renting an office

Temporary

This is ideal if you are a startup that only needs office space for an hour or a day at a time. It is more affordable than signing a longer-term office lease. It is also perfect if you only need to meet with clients occasionally or collaborate with staff members who are usually out of town on business.

Shared

This is an excellent option for startups with tight budgets. Sharing office space with another small business is a good option, especially if the businesses complement each other. Some good examples of shared office users include real estate firms and title companies that rent office space together or graphic design and writing companies that share the same space.

Coworking

Office spaces with professionally staffed reception areas, high-tech meeting rooms, and a combination of private offices, assigned desks, and open seating are some of the reasons why startups are increasingly opting for coworking office space.

See also Coworking spaces, the new way of working

Coworking leases can be month-to-month or longer-term, and users sometimes have the option to use the space in any location or city in which the coworking office space company operates.