As an entrant in the tech industry, you will likely set up shop in a basement or a tiny room as you find your feet. However, as time goes by and your tech business grows, you might feel that your small space no longer fulfills your needs.
Office space for your startup could come in handy when you want to host meetings or provide the much-needed space to house the computers and the infrastructure for your business. How do you set up a bespoke office for your startup? Well, let’s dive into some of the tips to help make things smooth as you set up an office for your tech startup.
Draft a budget
A crucial task in setting up an office for your startup would be to formulate a budget that will dictate how much money you need to spend. Remember that you have limited funds and need to prioritize the most critical expenses such as furniture, rent, equipment, and basic office supplies. You could use the Excel spreadsheet app to help you list down each of your requirements and calculate the total cost of setting up your office space.
Inspect the neighborhood
Potential clients, staff members, and investors will not want to visit your office if you select a neighborhood that everyone would rather avoid. As you plan to set up an office space for your tech startup, steer clear of crime-ridden neighborhoods or visually unappealing areas. It would also be wise to choose a location near your target audience or in a densely-populated area with access to transportation.
Invest in high-quality equipment
You cannot operate your tech startup without equipment. However, the cost of high-quality equipment could send your budget through the roof. It would be best to get only essential office equipment. For example, you will need a good office printer to help with the paperwork. Again, go for quality options like Magicard Printers to help cut on wastage. Start small as you can always invest in more equipment as your business grows.
Read every detail of the lease
Since you might not have enough resources to build an office from scratch or buy property, the next best option would be to lease. However, failure to read the lease’s fine print could cause you to agree to terms that are not in your favor. Therefore, it would be wise to thoroughly analyze the lease and only settle for one that is relatively flexible.
Check the network capabilities
Tech startups, in particular, need to steer clear of areas with a lack of or poor network connectivity. If you come across a space that tickles your fancy, it would be best to confirm whether the service has that particular address with your internet provider. You could also key in the office address on the ISP website to determine whether the area has a stable internet connection.
Wrap up
The proper office setup can make your tech startup exude professionalism and make potential clients and investors more interested in your business. After you are happy with the office you have set up, ensure you create a conducive working environment to boost employee morale and productivity.
I’m a writer, artist, and designer working in the gaming and tech industries. I have held staff and freelance positions at large publications including Digital Trends, Lifehacker, Popular Science Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly, IGN, The Xplore Tech, and others, primarily covering gaming criticism, A/V and mobile tech reviews, and data security advocacy.