Where you set up shop has a major impact on your accessibility, how your staff feel, and how your company comes across to your target audience and potential partners. That’s why it’s essential to choose a location that fits your business. In this blog, we give you 5 tips for finding the perfect location!

Have you already chosen a location?

Startup entrepreneurs often don’t take the time to figure out what the best location for their office really is. That’s a shame, because location is one of the most important factors in the success of your business! So what is the best location for your company, and what exactly should you be paying attention to?

1. Choose a central location for your office

Your office needs to be easily accessible for you and your employees, but also for your target audience, your clients and your suppliers! How are public transport connections to and from the city arranged? And within the city itself? Is the office easy to reach by car? Is there enough parking nearby? Are there loading and unloading options? These are all important questions you need to be able to answer.

2. Zoning plan

Do you have a location in mind for your office? Always request the zoning plan from the municipality first! It’s possible that the activities you want to carry out aren’t allowed in that building. Or that the municipality has different plans for the property in the future. It’s also smart to check the zoning plans for the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for a quiet location, but there are plans to build a busy road or a shopping centre nearby, you’ll obviously want to know that in advance.

3. What kind of environment do you want to work in?

Think about whether you need certain amenities nearby. If you plan to hire staff, it’s good to know what the local labour market looks like. Also check whether the telecommunications facilities you need are available. And ask yourself: does the character of the surrounding area match your business?

4. What should your office convey?

You probably already have an idea of what image your business should project. You translate that into your branding, your business cards and your website, among other things. But your office needs to match your business too. Ask yourself where your business fits best. In the city centre, or rather outside of it? Is it important to you that your business and logo are visible from the street? What kind of image do you want to project? For example: if you run a young, creative company, a very upscale office building might sometimes be too intimidating a threshold for potential clients to simply walk in. That’s something worth thinking through carefully as well.

5. What should an office cost?

The best location for your office naturally needs to fit within your budget. If you want to rent a prestigious office in the city centre, you’ll often pay top price for it. Sometimes it can work in your favour to compromise on location. The government regularly offers subsidies to companies that set up in a particular area, such as a business park. You might not end up with the most attractive location, but you could save significantly on your monthly costs. And that’s worth quite a lot, especially for entrepreneurs just starting out.