Coworking can be seen as a hybrid between working at home and the traditional office environment. It is an emerging trend, with more than 2 million people in coworking spaces worldwide. The idea of coworking offices has been around for decades, but only recently have they become popular among professionals looking to start their own business or telecommute remotely. This article will cover all the basics you need to know about coworking offices.
What Exactly Is Coworking Office?
The definition of a coworking office can be confusing since it is known by many different names. There are co-working offices, shared workspace (office), open desk workspaces, and even collaborative spaces. The basic idea behind all these terms is the same, an environment where professionals rent out desks or cubicles to use daily in exchange for money. Coworking offices come in various shapes and sizes, they may consist of private rooms with lockers as well as communal areas like kitchens and lounges. Some offer event invitations such as guest speakers from time to time, while others have business centers offering professional services including marketing assistance, bookkeeping support, and many more. If you’re still unsure what exactly coworking means then just think of it as leasing an office space for your business.
Pros And Cons Of Coworking Offices
   The first thing that comes to mind for many people is the idea of a coworking office as an alternative way to work. This, however, isn’t exactly true and there are several things you should be aware of before making your decision. Here are the pros and cons of coworking offices:
Pros
- It Can Be More Affordable Than Leasing
There are some reasons you should consider using coworking office spaces. For one, it can be more affordable than leasing an office. You also have the benefit of sharing your space with other professionals who may potentially become clients or partners in future projects. Some people find that they get better results from renting desk space only instead of signing a lease for multiple rooms within commercial real estate properties meant specifically for business tenants.
2. Provided Amenities
There are plenty of great reasons to use a coworking space. Not only can it help you and your employees stay productive, but the amenities offered by these spaces make for happy coworkers too. If providing perks like coffee or snacks important in keeping their workers content then this might be an option worth looking into, just keep in mind that each location may have its unique offerings so do some research before jumping on board at first sight with no idea what’s available where near you.
3. A Sense Of Community
One of the major pros of coworking is a sense of community. People who work in their homes find it hard to build relationships with people they see every day, but when you share an office space you have plenty of opportunities for interaction and collaboration. Many members make friends at their shared workspace and even start businesses together because they can rely on each other’s support through the ups-and-downs that come with starting your own company from scratch or finding success as an entrepreneur online.
4. Continued Improvements
With the rise in popularity of coworking spaces comes an increase of options that you can choose from. The number choosing this type of space is rising by over 24% per year, which has caused more new locations to open up and provide their members with lots more features.
Cons
1. Cost Still Might Be Out Of Budget
A coworking space will most likely be less expensive than leasing office space. However, it’s still a big expense that might not work out in your budget especially if you’re self-employed with no guaranteed income stream yet. Free workspaces like libraries and coffee shops are good alternatives until the monthly fee for an actual cooping location can come up as well.
2. Too Many Distractions
When you’re working on your own business, it’s important to take into account the distractions that come with coworkers. At a coworking space for entrepreneurs, there are so many other factors beyond just what is happening in front of us at any given time which could limit our productivity and creativity especially if they involve people talking loudly on phone calls while others work right next door. When you have control over everything about how much noise will be present around you, then focusing can become easier than ever before because all eyes are focused inwardly towards achieving goals instead of outward onto outside sources vying for attention.
3. There Are Some Restrictions
The benefits of a space that’s been designed and furnished with amenities are numerous, but the trade-offs can be hard to swallow. For instance, you’ll likely have fewer options when it comes to customizing your workstation or bringing in favorite furniture from home, you might even end up sharing it.
4. Limited Space
Space could have limitations depending on which coworking option fits best. Some will offer more options than others, space and privacy for instance and each type comes at a price point that needs consideration before investing in this kind of business.
We know that the decision about considering a coworking office can be intimidating. To help you make this important choice, we’ve put together some of the basics about what exactly are coworking offices and how they compare to other options. If you have any questions or would like additional information on anything here, please reach out. We want everyone interested in joining our work community to feel confident with their choice. Call us today for more info about how your needs might fit into one of our locations.
Are You Ready to Find Your New Coworking Space?
Victory Workspace has been serving professionals in the Walnut Creek, California area for over ten years, and even after the Covid 19 Shelter in Place is over we will be here for you. We offer a large variety of coworking spaces, short-term office rentals, meeting rooms, and welcoming event space with plenty of free parking for you and your guests. All that while providing our clients with daily opportunities to network – in a safe environment – with other business-minded professionals just like you! To learn more, set up your free tour, or inquire about which one of our services might be right for you, reach out to one of our amazing Community Guides at Victory Workspace for more information.
Leave a Reply