You get up. You are going to work. But where are you really going? If you’ve just started a new business, you may be working on the couch at home.
But if the lifestyle at home isn’t working for you, it’s time to get creative with other inexpensive options.
Top 10 Workplaces
Here, 10 of our favorite workplaces for freelancers and entrepreneurs:
#1. Coworking space
Share office space with little commitment
If you like to go to the same table every day, consider renting a common place in a coworking space. Some coworking spaces are “thematic” so that you can work with people from a similar industry. You usually pay a low monthly subscription that includes a nice place to sit and office equipment such as Wi-Fi, printers, and meeting space.
You don’t have to commit to a long-term contract and still get the benefits of the office facilities and friends of the water cooler.
#2. Flexible workplace
A flexible workplace with all the basics, sometimes even for free
Besides the very public end of WeWork, flexible office space is actually a great option for beginner entrepreneurs. If you don’t care about a more nomadic office, you can use a service that suits you with flexible office space and meeting rooms.
The atmosphere is a little different and you may feel more embarrassed than in a common coworking space. Flexible workplaces are also a good option for filling a gap in your normal office space, as if you need a large meeting room for a single day.
#3. Startup hub or incubator
Membership usually includes office space, networking and training
Many incubators and hubs have emerged in recent years. The services they offer range from simple coworking spaces to more practical “training camps”.
When you are a member, you usually have access to resources in addition to office space, such as business training, legal advice, and the ability to interact and live with other like-minded entrepreneurs. In return, some incubators ask for equity in their start-up.
#4. Shared office
Share costs and obligations with other contractors
When you are ready to take root, consider renting offices with others. Together, you pay the costs and take care of the maintenance.
This can be a good way to have a real office and the feeling of colleagues at a lower cost. Of course, organization and rental are also involved, but with good agreements, a shared office can work well.
#5. Your own office
Your own distraction-free workplace
If you have already made progress in your business, you may want to move to a more professional location. Having your own office can make it easier to separate your work and family life and, in fact, ultimately “leave” your business.
If you rent your own office, you have to organize everything yourself. Of course, this also means that you can supply and use your office exactly as you wish. And there are no talkative office colleagues to keep you away from your work.
#6. Deductible home office
Work from home, but with tax savings
His first exploratory steps as an entrepreneur are usually done at home. If you do the right thing, you can work in a home office and deduct much of the cost from your taxes. Be sure to check and follow your country’s tax rules carefully.
As a general rule, a home office must be “for exclusive use” for your business – so that you cannot deduct your table or kitchen. In some countries, your home workspace needs a separate entrance or facility.
#7. Outside the park
Why work indoors when you can sit in the sun
The perfect summer workplace: with your tablet or phone, you can go wherever you want. Most people don’t get enough sun and working outdoors has been shown to increase energy and creativity. Do you want to check your website or Instagram statistics?
Then you can do it in the park, on the beach or in the forest, or while traveling the world as a digital nomad. If you become an entrepreneur because of the feeling of freedom, training is a great option. Until autumn arrives
#8. On site with your client
If you are still working on site, you will hardly need your own space
If you work as a client consultant, it is not worth investing money in your own office. You are never there! Your business address will only be used for registration, mail, your business listings and Impressum on your website.
#9. Public library
The library is a cheap alternative if you don’t want to work from home
More and more libraries have quiet workspaces. If you can’t concentrate at home, working in the library is a cheap alternative, although the facilities are minimal. You can always invest in a more professional workplace later.
#10. Cafes
Working in a cafe is a great option, if you order something regularly
In cities with a lot of entrepreneurs, the owners of cafes sometimes get tired: businessmen occupy a table all day and ask for almost nothing. If you find a place where you are welcome, pay for your order by ordering coffee and lunch, and not monopolizing the same place all day.
icon-exclamation Tip: Use shared WiFi with care. If you choose a shared workplace, be it a library, a café or an informal coworking space, find out what type of Wi-Fi connection you are using. Always be skeptical of open WiFi networks (without passwords).
Experts recommend that you avoid online shopping or fully verify your bank accounts on these unsecured networks. But even a secure Wi-Fi network can be dangerous if many foreigners use it at the same time.
If you have a confidential client job or financial tasks, it’s best to do it from a secure network at home or in a legitimate coworking space, where you trust others who share Wi-Fi.
How to choose a workplace?
The workplace that suits you differs not only by type of business, but also by person. Which one is right for you?
icon-angle-right Distraction
If you can ignore the distractions, a shared office is no problem. If you need silence, your space will be much better. Obviously, you can try noise canceling headphones or a combination of different workplaces for different tasks.
If you always call your work, a coworking space may not work because you are disturbing others. There are often additional possibilities for meeting rooms, but this also involves additional costs. You wouldn’t even have to think about it in your own office.
icon-angle-right Social network and contact
As a young entrepreneur, you come across many new questions. Other entrepreneurs usually already have the answers, but you can’t find them at the kitchen table.
Business can be lonely like that. In a shared office or incubator, there are other people who can take on the role of their former colleagues: a chat, a network full of knowledge and, of course, sometimes a distraction at the wrong time.
icon-angle-right Customer reception
If you often meet clients and clients in person, the office atmosphere that you convey is important. Depending on the industry and the impression you want to give, you may need more professional office space, rather than hosting customers in a cafe or at home.
icon-angle-right How often do you work in the office?
If you often work locally, it may not even be worth having your own office. As a trainer who gives workshops in other companies, it can be much cheaper to combine on-site work with flexible and free workplaces. If you write text to clients at your desk all day, a place of your own will be essential.
icon-angle-right Time for work and family
Can you focus on your table in the living room when the kids are playing near you? And when these children are in bed, can you resist the urge to work for a few more hours? Doing business at the kitchen table or in the home office requires discipline and a very clear idea of how privacy and work should go together.
icon-angle-right Confidential information
This does not apply to all entrepreneurs, but if you regularly work with privacy sensitive information, you will need your own office. A random passerby in a flexible workplace should not be able to see the personal details of his clients over his shoulder.
icon-angle-right Your workplace grows with you
If you’ve just started your business, you can go a long way with a cheap office option. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, but you can choose the one that suits your personality, your brand and your budget.
So, as your business grows, you can always invest in a different option in the future. The important thing is to find a place where you feel comfortable to be able to work!
About the Author!
James is a learning specialist at wowessays.com, he designs and delivers learning initiatives (both in class and online) for a global and internal audience. He is responsible for on-going development, delivery and maintenance of training. He has the ability to manage competing priorities to execute on time-sensitive deliverables within a changing environment. He contributes in continually improving team’s processes and standards and works as a member of the team to assist with team initiatives.