Choosing a coworking space looks simple until you visit three of them. The prices don't compare, neither do the inclusions, and the space that charmed you on a Thursday evening isn't necessarily the one where you'll be comfortable on a Tuesday morning. Here is the method we give people who call us without knowing where to start.
Before you visit a single space, get clear on your own situation. Four questions are enough, and they rule out half the options before you even leave your desk.
Most people who walk through our doors recognize themselves in one of these five profiles. Find yours and you'll know what to look at first.
Consultant, writer, developer, designer. What they need: a reliable connection, a quiet atmosphere and flexibility.
Look for open-plan desks by the day or by the month, solid wifi coverage, phone booths for client calls and a location that is easy to reach. Avoid spaces that are very busy or event-driven if your work requires concentration.
Photographer, videographer, illustrator, architect. What they need: room, light and sometimes specialized equipment.
Look for large work tables, access to a studio or an equipped room, secure storage for gear and an environment that inspires. Avoid very corporate or cramped spaces where you can't spread out a mock-up.
What they need: meeting rooms and somewhere to receive clients.
Look for rooms that are easy to book, ideally included or reasonably priced, a business address that works in your favour, a well-kept reception area and proximity to transit. Avoid spaces in areas your clients will struggle to reach.
What they need: a network, momentum and resources.
Look for a space with an active community, built-in support such as training, mentors and workshops, flexible plans because you don't yet know how your business will evolve, and pricing that fits a tight budget. Avoid quiet spaces with no community life, where you'll end up alone in your corner.
Law, finance, consulting. What they need: confidentiality and a serious image.
Look for closed offices or at minimum acoustically isolated space, an official business address, a strict confidentiality policy and an understated environment. Avoid spaces that are too informal or noisy, which can undercut how clients see you.
Whatever your profile, these seven points deserve a direct question before you sign.
Almost every space offers a free trial day. Take it every time, and not in passing. An hour-long visit will not tell you whether a Tuesday afternoon there suits you.
It is the simplest test and the one people skip most often. A space that looks perfect during an event can be unworkable when you have three hours of writing ahead of you. The reverse is true too: a space that seems sleepy at noon is sometimes exactly what you need.
With us, the trial day is free across our eight spaces, with no commitment. Come and work a real day, at the hour you usually work. It's the only way to know.