Deciding where to locate your business is a huge decision. There are as many factors that go in to this decision as to when you’re hiring an integral part of your team. We understand how challenging it can be, and hope to provide you with some guidance as to what to think about when making the decision.
- Operation Style: How do you see your office functioning? Do you expect your employees to come in in suits, or will sweatshirts and jeans be sufficient? Having a clear idea as to how you want your office to appear and behave is important to know before you start looking at spaces.
- Frequency of visitors: If you will frequently be working with people from out of town, you will want your office to be in an urban environment – with access to an airport and public transportation. If you have guests coming in that you need to impress, make sure that the facade of your building is something to be proud of.
- Proximity to other businesses: Is it important to you and your employees that you be able to walk past your competitors, or that people walking around see that your business is there? If you foresee needing to pick up office supplies on a regular basis, you will want to look for a location that gives you access to pick things up on short notice.
- Who will you hire? No one likes a long commute. If the majority of your employees live in a certain geographical area, follow them. This is better for employee retention. They will likely be able to spend more time with their family and friends this way, and will very much appreciate it. If you plan to hire employees that will work from home, you do not need to put as much thought in to where your office is, and can choose based upon where you personally would like it.
- Transportation: If your current employees drive to work, you will need space for a parking garage, which can greatly reduce your options. If you have a more flexible staff that may take the train, bike, or carpool, feel free to broaden your search.
- Status: Where your business is located says a lot about its success. There are certain neighborhoods around the country, that really make people say “wow!” If potential clients see your address or where you’re located and know of the area, they may feel more comfortable doing business with you, or may have a connection that would make it easier for them to utilize your services.
- Zoning Restrictions: It’s not the most fun, but finding out if there are any zoning restrictions or ordinances in place that would effect your business should be a first question you ask.
- Size: If things go well, your business will likely expand. Does the space that you are looking at have room to accommodate this growth?
- After work entertainment: Also important for employee retention is access to do fun things after work. Making sure that there are places for your employees to enjoy themselves after work will keep them happy, and can support a team as they bond over after-work drinks.
- Security: Your employees have to feel safe when getting to work, but also while they are at work. If you are not going to provide security for your company itself, you need to make sure that the building can provide it. We’re really keen on security, which you can read more about here.
The decision as to where to set up shop, isn’t an easy one. After considering all of these factors, consult others in your industry and see what helped them to make the decision.