Nowadays, many, if not all, who are opting to join a coworking space are making a smart decision. Whether you are an entrepreneur, freelancer, remote worker, or a team, working in a shared office space is undoubtedly a good way to work productively. This is because you will be surrounded by other professionals with the same mindset who can understand the nature of your work.
And if you’re thinking of coworking in a shared office space, there are things you might want to consider first to ensure you will be working productively.
Cost
Although it is undeniable that shared office space is more reasonable than having an own private office, it is also proven that it is cheaper for good reasons. With reduced cost, you don’t have to worry about other expenses such as maintenance, cleaning, administrative, etc.
With that being said, it is important to consider the leasing fee of shared office space before making a decision. This plays a crucial part for you to determine if it is manageable for you along with other considerations:
- Are you okay to share the space with fellow coworkers?
- Is it just a desk that you need and not a private office for you to work?
- Do you need privacy when welcoming guests to talk about business?
- Can your business or nature of work handle the situation whereas you have fellow coworkers sharing the space with you?
Location
Aside from the cost of the membership to join the coworking space to use the shared space, you should also consider if the establishment is situated and manageable for you to go to when needed. Location doesn’t just make your traveling easier, but you also have to consider if it is also beneficial to your clients or partners that you need to meet.
It is more ideal to ensure that the location of the coworking space is accessible not just for you but would be convenient for the operation of your business.
Facilities
More than the aesthetics and interiors that the shared office space has to offer in a coworking space, check if the facilities it offers can help you. This means that if the establishment has a reliable internet connection, access to office supplies when you need to use it, conference and meeting rooms that can be used, and common areas to use.
Business Hours Flexibility
Yes, most coworking spaces are open 24/7. But not all of them. There’s a chance that some coworking spaces that have shared office space have business hours. Sometimes this is because of the location. But regardless, you should ask yourself if despite having limited operating hours, that particular coworking space could still work for you.
Although it is best to find a coworking space where you can go anytime.
Duration
Before joining or signing the contract, you should make it clear first how long you are going to be coworking in a shared office space. Carefully think if you need a short or long-term lease. Nonetheless, there are coworking spaces that offer different types of membership with different durations.
The Community
Although it is normal that coworking spaces have lively communities, it doesn’t hurt to validate how well the establishment itself holds events for everyone. This is because it can help you build a network, socialize, meet new people, work productively, and further enhance your skills. For example, there are coworking spaces that don’t just offer shared office spaces but also hold open house events to ensure that all coworkers there can have the opportunity to interact and communicate.
In Conclusion
Joining a coworking space is not a light decision to make. It is actually encouraged, even by the managers of the establishment, for you to think before joining. This is because they offer different types of memberships and being a member who will cowork in a shared office space is one of those. If it helps, you can even try the free-day pass that many coworking spaces offer for you to have the experience of whether sharing space while working is what you need or your own private office. Nonetheless, coworking in a shared office space is beneficial for you to build and expand your network.