Choosing the right office space is important for your business and your employees. It is critical to your performance and profitability. Here are some of the factors you will need to consider when choosing office space.
- The nature of your business
The first consideration when choosing an office space is the nature of your business. This will determine the type of office space you need. There are many different types of offices available today, some of which are more open-plan and others that are more private. Some businesses may need more private offices where clients can discuss confidential matters, while others may need space for brainstorming ideas.
Many tech startups choose shared office space San Francisco. With affordable San Francisco office spaces available, you can focus on other core areas of business. You can sign a lease agreement that best suits your needs and not worry about making a long-term commitment.
- Accessibility
The amount of foot traffic will affect your retail business, so you need to be positioned as close to your target audience as possible. If you have regular meetings with clients, your office space must be accessible to them. It should rather be in or near the center of town than further afield. If the office is on a busy street, clients should have easy access to a parking lot with enough parking. Your employees should also have access to public transport and parking. If you have a manufacturing business, you need to make sure material deliveries will be straightforward.
- Value for money
Calculate the total costs of moving your business, including any installations or renovations. The price of leasing the office must be within your budget, so you need to find out whether there are any hidden charges. A contract should clearly state which costs the landlord is responsible for and which ones you have to carry. Look at the prices of neighboring offices to make sure the cost to lease the office compares with other prices in the area. If you decide to use serviced offices, this can minimize your overheads.
- The office layout
The office space needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate all your employees and allow for different business functions. If you will have clients coming to your office, you need space with a reception area. You may need conference rooms and rooms where you can hold meetings and more private spaces where employees can concentrate on their work without distractions.
The condition of the entire building should not be overlooked either, even if you are only renting a small space inside it. Its appearance should suit your brand image, and the interior ambiance is just as important. An outdated office with little attention to detail could give a negative impression to clients. Find out whether there are any regulations against updating, changing or branding the interior. An office environment that breeds creativity is crucial to some businesses.
- Amenities
If you want to attract the right employees, you need to make sure your offices provide a good place for them to work. Air conditioning and lighting can make a difference to staff productivity. Ergonomic furniture could help them to work more comfortably and not experience neck or back pain. Do you have break rooms where they can relax or areas where they can exercise? Coffee shops, gyms, shops and restaurants close to the office can make a difference to employees.
- Technological infrastructure
Access to Wi-Fi is essential today, and sometimes its cost is included in the rent. Other equipment, such as high-quality printers, whiteboards, LED monitors, scanners etc., can be costly. This is where shared office space can work out with access to the type of equipment you could not afford on your own. You will usually also have access to IT support to sort out any problems.
- Security
Security is another important consideration when choosing office space. Security systems can be expensive, but they are essential for the safety of employees and to prevent theft of valuable assets. When sharing office space, access control systems offer security, and employees can usually have access 24/7. This suits the more flexible working schedules many employees have today.
- Flexibility
Choosing an office space with the option to downsize or upsize ensures that you won’t have to move to another building as your business grows. Flexible contracts don’t lock you in, which means you can downsize when economic conditions are not as favorable and upsize when your business grows.
