So, you’re looking for a coworking space — that’s great! Working from home isn’t for everyone, and just because you’re a solopreneur or running a small team, doesn’t mean you have to keep your business within the confines of your own home.
There are a lot of benefits to choosing a coworking space. For one, it’s more affordable than setting up your own office space. Plus, most coworking spaces are set up in downtown areas, making it easier for you to engage with clients face-to-face and get access to what the city has to offer. But with so many coworking options available, which one should you choose?
As you search for the ideal coworking space for you and/or your team, here are seven questions to ask yourself.
1. What exactly do I need out of a coworking space?
Coworking spaces come in many shapes and sizes, and so they should. Each individual and team has different needs depending on their budget, the number of people working together, working styles, and more.
First off, start by asking yourself if you’re looking for a hot desk, fixed desk, or a private office.
Hot desks are particularly useful for freelancers that are comfortable setting up a nomadic workstation anywhere, as they can be booked on an as needed basis for a lower fee. Hot desks are often situated in a group, giving people the chance to meet others as they work through their daily tasks.
Booking a fixed or dedicated desk in a shared space allows individuals to still share space with others, while having a workstation they can return to every day. This consistency can be useful for people who need familiar environments to get into the right mindset for work.
A private office lets you offer your team space for quiet or collaborative work, while also giving them access to coworking perks like organic networking and a widespread spirit of innovation.
At iQ, members can access a variety of working spaces, including dedicated desks, private offices, meeting rooms, and customized headquarters.
2. Where exactly do I want to be?
Do you want to be working downtown? Or does it make more sense for you and your team to be in that trendy neighbourhood with all the tech companies? How much time do you want to spend commuting?
The location of your coworking space should be strategic. It should make it easy to meet with and host clients, be convenient for your employees to get to, and have a broad appeal for anyone taking their time to visit.
At iQ Offices, we’ve set up all of our coworking spaces in downtown areas that are surrounded by great restaurants to host clients at and places to go with your team after work.
3. What’s my budget?
Like with any business decision, do some thinking around how much you’re willing to spend before you start looking for a coworking space. Having this number in mind will help you immediately narrow down your list. In addition, as you start reaching out to coworking spaces, make sure to ask for a thorough breakdown of costs (e.g. are there any pay-as-you-go services on top of the membership fee?).
iQ Offices offers memberships on a per-member basis. Each member gets access to a variety of perks and amenities, including weekly socials and nationwide access to our other locations.
4. Who do I want to share space with?
Coworking hubs tend to be designed with different types of professionals in mind. You may find one that’s focused on creative teams and freelancers, another on fintech solutions, and yet another that deals exclusively with start ups. The community in a coworking space shapes the environment — so, what kind of environment do you want to work in?
The team at iQ Offices has built spaces that enable people to do their best work, and we’re always facilitating conversations between our members. Whether it’s in our communal lounges or during our weekly happy hours, there’s always an opportunity for networking.
5. Can I try it out first?
The best way to ensure a coworking space makes sense for you and your team is to be in it and test it out. Check out the flexibility of the membership before you sign up, and see if you can have a trial period.
iQ Offices offers a flexible membership for dedicated desks, private offices, and HQs starting at 90 days. However, before buying into a membership, non-members can also access meeting room spaces to get a sense of the space and what it’s like to work in it.
6. What are the community events like?
The leading coworking spaces know how important it is to foster community between their members — who knows what partnerships and mergers are waiting to happen? As you go through your options, check out the location’s social calendar. What opportunities do they have for meeting other people?
At iQ Offices, we love creating moments for members to meet. It’s why we have weekly happy hour events for people to have a casual drink after work. And if any of our members want to throw a soiree of their own, we have events services to help them do just that.
7. What facilities and amenities does the space offer?
Access to WiFi, meeting rooms, breakout areas, and printing facilities are table stakes for most coworking spaces — so, look for the extras. Are they pet friendly? Do they have a mobile app that you can use to book amenities? Make a list of your non-negotiables to help make the choice easier.
For our members, iQ Offices offers a robust list of amenities, including unlimited snacks, 24/7 access, a membership app and portal, and partner perks.
Looking for a coworking space that makes sense for you and your team? iQ Offices might be just the right space. Check out our locations and book a tour at one near you.
