The co-working industry has absolutely exploded within the last several years, which is why there are now over 80 million square feet of flexible workspace in the United States alone. With so many spaces available, it can be hard for users to find the perfect one.

Luckily, you do not have to make the same mistakes that countless other users have made, because there are experienced co-working connoisseurs who have already gone through the trial and error of finding the best co-working spaces in NYC as well as other major cities. Here are some helpful tips based on other user’s experiences on how to find the perfect co-working spot for your needs. 

Reach Out to Your Professional Network

Every group of individuals is going to have a slightly different set of needs in finding the right co-working space. Co-working spaces aren’t strictly for millenials, as rumor would have you believe. Therefore, asking one of your friends or strangers on the internet which co-working space they use may not be the best option, since they are likely in a very different field than you with a different set of needs. 

However, many people in your professional network are likely similar to you, which means that they need all of the same equipment – can anyone say SMARTY Mobile – and amenities that you do. Therefore, any co-working space that they use is likely going to have most, if not all, of the features that you are looking for. That is why reaching out to your professional network about great co-working spaces in your city can be very beneficial.  

Experience a Trial Day

It can be tough to make a decision to commit to a co-working space when you have never used it before. Most co-working companies realize this, which is why they tend to offer a trial day to individuals who want to come in for a single day and experience what it is like to work in a certain co-working space. 

If you do decide to test out one of these trial days, then you are going to want to make sure that you do your research. Check out the soundproofing of the private rooms, look at the kitchen amenities, sit at various types of workstations, and a variety of other areas to get a full experience of the co-working space. Once you have completed this trial day, you should have a much better understanding of whether or not a certain co-working space is the right choice for you. 

Visit Their Website to Find Out Prices and Included Amenities In Membership

Most co-working spaces offer you either a monthly or annual membership. The price of memberships for various co-working spaces is obviously going to be different. That is why it is important that you shop around a bit first so you can get a better understanding of what you should be paying in your city. 

However, it is not just the price that you should be looking at. On the website for the co-working space, they should also include a list of features that are covered under their various memberships. It is important to know exactly what is included as part of this so that you are aware of any extra fees that may be incurred during your time at the co-working space. 

For example, if you are required to bring your own printing paper in order to use the provided printer, then this is something you need to take into account. It will help to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth depending on the price of a membership.

Consider the possibility of your company or team expanding. If you are someone who runs their own business or who is in charge of a team for a company, then it is important that you take the time to consider whether or not you might experience significant future expansion. The goal of most companies is to be continuously growing, so you need to take this into consideration when choosing a co-working space. Once your team or company begins to expand, you may need more people and more equipment, which will make it difficult to work at a smaller co-working space. Therefore, if a significant expansion might be in your near future, then you should check out some medium or large co-working spaces. 

Use Airbnb for Office Space Apps

An efficient way to help fast track the process of searching for the perfect co-working space is to use one of the several apps that are available taking the role as Airbnb for office space. Depending on where you are located, there should be a few apps that have continually updated databases containing all of the available co-working spaces in your area. 

This in itself is already beneficial, but what is even better is that these apps allow you to narrow down the results based on certain criteria. Therefore, if you are looking for a co-working space with standing desks or kitchen amenities, then this is something that the app can help you find. This saves you from having to visit countless co-working spaces that are lacking something that you require in order to be at your most productive. 

When considering all of this tried and true information, it can make the process of finding the perfect co-working space incredibly easy.

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By Don Power

Don Power is a Director of Content Marketing. When it comes to content marketing, Don's been the Cyrano for a variety of organizations and delivered The King’s Speech himself as a professional speaker across North America. Don extends an open invitation to connect on LinkedIn or Twitter.