With remote work and freelancing growing in popularity in the recent past, more and more individuals are looking for a flexible office space to work from. Co-working spaces have grown in popularity as they provide an office-like environment and many benefits for entrepreneurs and startups alike. However, when you sign up for a co-working space, you should ensure that you don’t make the following common mistakes.
1) Not selecting a co-working space that is a walkable distance from the city center
The surroundings of your workspace and the amenities close to it should be essential factors to consider when signing up for a co-working space. Ideally, the co-working space should be a walkable distance from the city center. That will allow you an easy commute when it comes to travel to and fro from the co-working space. Another advantage of opting for a co-working space close to the city center is that you’ll have plenty of networking opportunities with like-minded professionals. For example, if you are looking in Louisiana for a conveniently located office space, Baton Rouge has plenty of co-working spaces that are a walkable distance from the city center.
2) Going for the cheapest option
When deciding between different co-working spaces, you may be tempted to go for the cheapest available option. But this could be a mistake that you’ll regret later. There are other points to keep in mind: building quality, stable and secure infrastructure, location, the amenities the co-working space offers, and the quality of service you get. It may be a good idea to incur a slightly higher cost as that will pay off for you in the long run.
3) Signing up with inflexible contracts
Inflexible contracts can be a death knell for any business—for example, contracts with a lock-in period or a long notice period. You can’t exit the contract if you want to shift to a different space because of business expansion needs. In such a scenario, you may have to adjust against your will to your existing co-working space or rent a larger space while paying the rent for your original space. Other terms that can potentially harm your business are periodic hikes in rent or clauses that do not permit you to make any alterations in the co-working space.
4) Overlooking the need for perks and amenities
One of the main advantages of signing up with a co-working space is getting access to certain amenities that you’d typically not be able to get if you work from a coffee shop or even your home. For example, co-working spaces that come with a fully equipped kitchen, conference or meeting rooms, and even gyms can offer a significant perk to entrepreneurs who work out of such co-working spaces.
5) Focusing only on desk space
Businesses looking to sign up with a co-working space tend to focus only on the desk space. But what about other vital areas where training, presentations, or team meetings can be held? Not to mention refreshment areas, break rooms, or other places where you can interact with other people in the co-working space. After all, sitting at a desk the whole day is not going to enhance your efficiency. A positive atmosphere in a co-working space helps boost up your productivity levels and benefit your business.
6) The age of the building
Co-working spaces may have an appealing interior. But, before signing up for one, you should carry out in-depth research on the building it is in. You should consider the age of the property. A brand new building is always a better choice in comparison to older properties. You don’t want to face unexpected issues such as faulty plumbing or wiring, fire hazards, or problems with the waterproofing of windows.
