When looking for a new office, search for locations that best fit the needs of your employees and clients. If you tend to deal with a lot of foot traffic or client meetings, look for a location that offers free parking for visitors and which can easily be found.
Business owners tend to look for locations with affordability as the main determinant. While it's prudent to stay within your budget, a location shouldn't always be about the cheapest find. A good location should not only provide you with the space you need, but should be near places your employees or clients would like to frequent.
For example, if you work in a medical office, being near a pharmacy makes sense for your clients. If you work in a small startup office, being near trendy restaurants or bars is a convenient place to take clients for meetings and to build team relationships.
The Building
When checking out the space, make sure to look into the other offices in the building. Knowing your neighbors may help you determine whether or not a space is right for your businesses. For example, if your neighbor runs a record store and your building doesn't have the proper soundproof walls, this may prove to be too much of a distraction.
Additionally, if you work for a company with a lot of sensitive equipment or documents, make sure the building has the proper security in place to prevent lost or theft.
Room for Growth
As your business expands, make sure your office has enough room to accommodate potential growth. Take some time out to properly assess your future and what it look looks like to you. Cubicles can always be rearranged to fit more employees, but square footage is static.
