As more and more people work remotely, the need for coworking spaces has grown. This means that instead of working from home or a coffee shop, you can rent a desk at one of these new types of office spaces and use their other facilities such as conference rooms, phone booths, refreshments, and more! Below are some features to look for in a good coworking space.
Check out user reviews for coworking spaces in your area.
The easiest thing you can do is check out user reviews for coworking spaces in your area. Do a quick Google search for something like “coworking space Sydney” and see what other people have to say about the most popular places for remote work. This will give you an idea of what to expect from different spaces and what the overall vibe is like. Remember that people are more likely to leave a review for spaces they don’t like, so try to take user reviews with a grain of salt.
That said, if there are a lot of negative reviews, it might be worth looking into other coworking spaces in the area.
Check out the space’s website.
The next step is to check out the website of the space. This will give you a better sense of what the space offers. Some things you might want to look for include:
- The type of membership plans they have
- The hours of operation
- What amenities are included (conference rooms, number of charging stations, etc.)
- If they have any discounts or deals available
- The overall look and feel of the place
- Tour the space in person
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s always a good idea to tour the space in person. This will give you a chance to see if it’s a good fit for you and your team. You can also ask any questions you have about the space.
Pictures online can make every place prettier than it is. Once you visit it in real life, you can check if the place is worth your money.
If you don’t want to go alone, ask a friend or colleague to come along with you. When visiting the coworking space in person, look around and think about how it will feel for you to work there every day. Is it inviting? Will people notice if you put on headphones and detach from social interactions even more? Make sure this environment will suit your productive potential.
Rules about food
Some places have stringent rules about what kinds of food are allowed in the space, which might not always be conducive to a healthy lifestyle or a productive workspace. There’s nothing wrong with bringing some snacks into the office, but if it’s not allowed in the space you’ve chosen to work from, make sure you don’t get hungry and end up buying food outside all day long.
Specific coworking spaces charge by the hour instead of having monthly memberships
Some people like to use their coworking space for a few hours and then leave. For example, they might work in the mornings before heading off to do something else in the afternoon and come back later that night. This can be handy because it means you aren’t committed to paying for an entire month of using a shared workspace. On the other hand, if you have meetings throughout your working day or generally spend more than a few hours at a time in the space, this might not be the best option for you.
It’s important to know what the rules are upfront to avoid surprises down the road.
Talk to other members.
Another great way to get a sense of a coworking space is to talk to other members. This will give you an idea of what the community is like and what types of people are using the space. You might even want to ask them about their experience with the space and if they’d recommend it.
This might be harder to do if it’s a vast space with tons of members. You could try asking someone in the front or even send out an email survey to get feedback from other workers at the space.
The more you know about the coworking space before you sign a contract, the better off you’ll be in the long run. Ensure that everything discussed in your tour and consultation is outlined in your agreement. Even if it seems like a great fit now, things can change quickly and unexpectedly when dealing with shared workspaces, so don’t commit until you feel 100% satisfied. Also, keep in mind that working remotely is all about freedom and flexibility! It probably isn’t right for you if you don’t feel comfortable in your coworking space.
Ask about events
Finally, another thing to ask about is plans and events in the coworking space. Does the space offer any workshops or talks that you might be interested in? Are there any networking events or social gatherings that take place there? If so, it might be a good idea to attend them.
Coworking spaces can be a great way to meet new people, learn new things, and get inspired. Just make sure the space you’re considering has all the features you need to make you productive and comfortable.
The modern-day society and people’s need for remote work have led to creating a new type of office space called coworking spaces. These shared workspaces offer conference rooms, conference rooms, refreshments, and more!
If you’re considering using one or want to know whether it would be right for you, take into account these features: rules about food (whether they allow outside snacks), for how long are you allowed to use the space per month/week, other members in the space who might have insight on what it’s like there – find out if the community is friendly and welcoming, ask about events that happen here so your experience can be even better. And lastly, make sure before signing a contract that all details discussed during tours are outlined in the agreement. It’s as simple as that!