Us&Co Blog

How to Choose the Right Location for Your Office

When it comes to running a small business, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing the right office space. Finding a location that promotes productivity, offers convenience and provides all the facilities you need can feel like a lot to juggle.

However, it’s not impossible to find a space that ticks all the right boxes. You just need to know where to start.

In this blog, we’ll go over some key things to consider when choosing office space. Whether you’re looking for a traditional office or a shared space that accommodates hybrid working, these steps will keep you on track to finding the right space for your business.

6 Considerations for Choosing Your Office Space

1. Does the location suit the business itself?

One of the most immediate factors in choosing an office space is its location. Where your office is based will have a major impact, not only on ease of access and the available nearby amenities but also on first impressions.

An office location that gels with what your business stands for will give off an unforgettable, harmonious impression. For example, if you’re working in a fast-paced, digital landscape, you’ll want to consider working in a busy central hub that attracts the clientele and stakeholders associated with your industry. Stratford in London is a good example, with many businesses moving to this increasingly popular location.

Your office location will have practical ramifications as well. Is it accessible via local transport links? Is there sufficient parking nearby for employees/visiting clients and stakeholders? An office is more than 4 walls and a handful of desks; to foster the desired level of productivity, it needs to be accessible to the people that pass through it as well.

2. Is it cost-effective?

This is one that’s probably at the forefront of your mind, especially if you’re a small or growing business. Think about the impact the cost of the space will have on your budget. It may be more cost-effective in the long run to go for a space that costs slightly more, but that you won’t have to move out of in 6 months’ time as your business grows.

In this case, a great solution is a coworking space. These afford flexibility, affordability and even productivity benefits, and are typically located in central hubs.

3. Are the rooms varied enough?

Multiple rooms with various functions aren’t just for large workforces – they’re essential for providing freedom and functionality to small businesses as well.

The flow of an office is vital for granting purpose to your business’s daily operations. Ensure that each employee has personal space for solo work as well as a primary meeting room. Smaller collaborative spaces for breakout tasks can be beneficial, and a recreational space to relax in can have positive effects on productivity, too.

Whatever your space requirements, keep in mind how available rooms might be assigned. This will also depend on your business; if your daily workflow emphasises collaboration, you’ll naturally want to assign more space to areas that facilitate group tasks.

If you opt for a coworking office space, you’ll have access to a variety of rooms that facilitate all manner of tasks, giving you access to what you need, when you need it.

4. Is the building well-maintained and regularly serviced?

Whether you’re looking to hire a cleaner yourself or choose a space that is regularly serviced by the landlord, this is another important consideration when choosing office space.

If you’re a small or startup business, you naturally want to avoid as much logistical hassle as possible. Choosing a flexible office space is an excellent option, as you’ll be able to turn up to work without worrying about even paying the electricity bill, let alone a cleaner. It’s all taken care of for you, allowing you to get to work with a minimum of fuss.

5. What do your employees want/need?

It’s surprising how few businesses ask their own employees what they want from their office space. Oftentimes, the people ‘on the ground’ will be able to offer points of view you may not have thought of otherwise. In the modern world where a work-life balance is more important to employees than ever, it’s important that they have some say in what their work life looks like. Businesses are increasingly catering to this, and these workplaces are often the most competitive for attracting new employees.

Consider how your office space can enhance your existing wellbeing policies, as well. This doesn’t mean you have to think about providing an in-house gym – it can encompass more realistic features such as standing desks and healthy lunch options.

It’s always worth checking in with your employees to see what they want from their future office space. Providing a work environment that they had some say in can be a powerful enhancement to productivity in itself.

6. Does the area facilitate networking opportunities?

This goes without saying, but networking is vital for young businesses. Being in the right place can ensure your path crosses some interesting people in your space, so think about how your office location can lend itself to broadening your network.

Are there similar businesses in the area? Even better, are there different businesses that do something unique, something you can learn from? Scoping out the networking environment – whether it’s in your building or nearby – is highly recommended.

Again, this is where coworking offices excel. By situating your business amongst other businesses of similar scopes, the opportunities for networking are limitless. Whether it’s chatting with someone from across the hall at lunch or engaging in one of those infamous ‘water cooler conversations’, coworking spaces facilitate networking as few other office spaces can.

Looking for the Perfect Office Space for Your Small UK Business?

If so, Us & Co may have just what you need. We run a series of workspaces in London in the following locations:

Our spaces are available on a flexible basis, allowing you to pay only for what you use. Get in touch today if you’d like to find out more about our office spaces and available meeting rooms for rent.