Sometimes, change is good, especially in the context of running a business. If you’re a business owner and are on the path of growth, there’s a good chance you’ll be looking at moving to a new office at some point to accommodate the changes that lay ahead.
Like moving house, moving your business to a new address is a huge decision and not one that should be taken lightly. Unlike moving house which predominantly affects just your household, when your office moves, it affects all your employees and your prospective clients, too.
With this in mind, you need to make sure you’re considering every aspect of the move and what it can bring to your business. To help you figure out whether it’s the best move for you, here are some of the things you need to be asking yourself when looking for a new office space.
1. Do you really need a new office?
Firstly, does your business really require a new office? If your current space is sufficient in terms of space and amenities, and if it’s in a good location, is there really any need to move? Probably not. On the other hand, if you find that your rent overheads are too high, the facilities on offer are inadequate, or that you’re quickly outgrowing what you currently have, then a move is completely justified.
2. Is the location any better than what you have now?
The next thing you need to think about is location. If your business is a B2C one and you’re out of the way of prospective customers, it’s natural to want to move. For example, you might decide that office space in North London will be better for you in terms of client footfall compared to office space in Reading.
What you do need to remember about location though is that the more centralized you get, the higher the price will be. It could be worth it if you end up increasing your revenue as a result, but if you’re thinking of moving further out and away from your clients, it could have the adverse effect. Think about this carefully before you commit to a big location change.
3. Is the new office more or less accessible to employees and clients alike?
You also need to think about accessibility. Is the location of your new office accessible to your employees, or will you be adding a considerable amount of time onto their commute? You also need to factor in public transport links as it’s likely some of your employees and your clients will be relying on these, so if you pick a rural area with no links, it could be hard to arrange client meetings and get your employees in.
4. What facilities does the new office have?
A big reason people decide to move to a new office is for better facilities. If your employees are used to having a breakout area, a kitchen, and multiple meeting rooms, it’s a good idea to try and keep this consistency. If anything, you want to make sure a new office is an upgrade, not a downgrade. The office environment and amenities play a big role in worker productivity, so make sure you consider the overall aesthetic and environment before moving.
5. Is the new cost worth it?
The final thing you need to think about is the cost. You might be moving to a cheaper office to save money, but if you’re looking to expand or move into a more central location, you need to strongly consider if the higher rent is worth it. We don’t just mean in the way of possible new revenue, but factor in what you’re getting for your money and whether you’ll lose any employees as a result of the move, because this can also cost you money.
These are just some of the things you should be thinking about when moving office. A good way to gauge whether it’s worth it is to ask your employees and clients directly how they feel about it. This will a good insight as to whether it’s a good decision or not.