How to find office space for your business

With a host of different office space solutions at your fingertips, it’s important to outline exactly what you want from your new business premises, before starting to look for office space.

If you’re just starting up and want to keep your costs down, a virtual office could fit your office requirements. On the other side of the spectrum, if you’ve got staff to house then a serviced or leased office would work better for you.

This guide will explain these office space options available to you:

• Virtual Offices
• Serviced Offices
• Managed offices

Virtual offices

A virtual office is a cost-effective choice for creating a professional image of your business. As the name implies, a virtual office requires no physical leasing of office space, instead providing a range of remote business facilities for you to utilise.

The facilities and services inclusive in the leasing of a virtual office are; use of a business address; personalised telephone answering; mail handling and forwarding; ad hoc use of meeting and conference rooms.

• Use the virtual office directory to view more information.

Serviced offices

If your business requires physical office space and you don’t want the headache of paying for multiple bills like business rates, utility bills and general office administration services, then a serviced office is the best option for you.

A serviced office enables your business to be operational within 24 hours, with telecommunications; office furniture; broadband; IT support; professional receptionists; and personalised telephone service, all included in the leasing of a serviced office.

A serviced office is a simple, immediate and effective solution to housing your business, with flexible leasing options available, as opposed to a leased office contract associated with commercial property.

A bonus with a serviced office lease is the ease of which you can upgrade to a bigger office as your business expands.

• Be sure to meet the receptionists taking your calls and greeting your clients before signing a serviced office agreement for flexible office space.
• To find serviced offices in your area, use the Search Office Space website.

Managed offices

If you’re a large company of at least 25 staff and are confident in the growth of your business over the next three to five years, then a managed office could be the best solution for you.

A managed office, is essentially an office managed for you by a third party operator. A managed office combines all the benefits of a serviced office, with fully flexible occupation and fitted elements while allowing you to create your own bespoke office space.

A midway point between a serviced office and a traditional leasehold, a managed office provides a solution to occupying a tailored working space with lower overall costs than a serviced office for a mid to long term occupation.

Before looking for a managed office, you will need to make a list of your office specifications, in order to find an office space in the best location for your business.

The location of an office is usually dictated by its transport links, but you should also consider the impact it will have on the image of your business, as you will need to impress important clients visiting your office. The communal areas and standard of facilities will also play an important part in any shared building, so ask yourself the following questions when considering taking on a managed office:

• What will your staffing requirements be over the next three to five years?
• Would you like individual offices or an open plan office space?
• What kind of on-site facilities will you require?
• Will you need car parking and bicycle shed facilities for your clients and staff?

Conclusion

Just like business, several factors come into play when choosing the right kind of office space. Not every business needs a home, but most with long term goals will eventually require one.

You’ll need an environment to attract valuable and talented employees while being flexible on cost and space fronts. One benefit to virtual and serviced offices is the amount of flexibility that comes with a lease while having the option to take on more space as your business grows.