Choosing business premises is an important part of your business plan. Your premises is your shop window, so getting it right is vital. It will be the hub of your business and if you want it to flourish and not flop make sure you spend the time getting the premises right. Here are some of the considerations you may want to make when choosing your business premises.
Location
When it comes to your business premises it is all about location. Location is everything. You need to think about where and why your business needs to be located. Do you need to be near a customer base? Suppliers? Business partners? Proximity for meetings? What about your employees? Another determining factor in location is cost. How much is the location you are looking at? You may want to be in the hub of the city centre but can you afford it? Do you need certain facilities? Transport links? Start by asking all of these questions and listing the answers in terms of priority. Once you have worked out the most important aspect you can start your location search from there.
Space and size
Getting the size of the premises right is also an important consideration that could save you money in the long run. You want to choose premises that you are unlikely to outgrow quickly but that also provide you with sufficient space to undertake all the activities you need. Do you need privacy? Separate rooms? Or perhaps you are better suited to an open-plan office layout. Note down the needs of your business and what you are looking for before you actually start looking. This way you won’t waste time looking at unsuitable properties. \
The look and feel
The look and feel of any business premises is key. You want your employees to be comfortable and at ease in their place of work. Equally, you will want customers to be happy to be there. The use of lots of natural light, for example, is proven to increase workplace productivity. The look will need to reflect the type of business you run and you want people to identify your business at first glance, so you should consider other types of lighting as well like these tech decor lighting ideas – this way you’ll be sure to attract any new customers/clients! If you run a vintage craft shop you want to reflect this in the style of your premises. If you run a medical clinic then you will want to ensure the look is professional and sterile to instil confidence in your customers. The good news is that even if your proposed premises doesn’t have the right look straight away as long as it has potential it is a consideration. If you have found the ideal space in the best possible location then consider hiring professionals to give it the look you need, just be sure you budget for it. Medifit, for example, specialises in transforming business premises into the perfect medical or dental premises.
Cost
Cost is always the most decisive factor. You want to get the balance right between affordability and meeting your needs. It may be tempting to opt for a ‘make do’ premises because of cost but will this end up costing you more in the long run? Are you better off paying more to make more? Are there any hidden or escalating costs over a set time period? When it comes to cost and affordability it is always recommended you discuss this with your accountant who can carry out a detailed costs benefit analysis to inform your decision. It is also imperative that you have a legal professional go over any contract you may be required to sign when it comes to undertaking new business premises.
Accessibility
It’s absolutely vital that you can ensure your new business premises is as accessible as ever before you even think about welcoming any staff or customers, as people from all walks of life should be able to make the most of what you can offer. Having a building that’s riddled with stairs, unlevel footing and similar issues that a less mobile person or wheelchair user would experience trouble with is going to put you in a difficult position, as you risk losing extremely valuable employees and customers simply because of your own inability to adapt. The information that you can gain from NDIS Support Services should be pretty insightful, as you’ll likely receive a host of different suggestions that can help to make your new business premises suitable for every kind of person!
Security
Last but not least, you must make sure that your new business premises is as secure as it can be. You don’t want to arrive before a shift to find the doors wide open and your most expensive equipment nowhere to be seen, so you must take the time to establish a secure system that stops criminal behaviour from taking place. Most big buildings are already installed with their own alarm systems that will be triggered either by motion or pressure points such as doors, but you can also take the time to upgrade your system to a more modern and thorough option. Using a CCTV system that can monitor and record tour new business premises can also be a huge benefit, so now’s the time to start taking your security seriously.