Tips for Choosing an Office to Set Up a Business in Dubai

Picking the right office space can have a huge impact on the success of your business. Since having a physical address is required for businesses in Dubai, finding the balance between affordability and the right premises is crucial.

So here are the things to keep in mind when looking for the future home of your business.

1. Consider an office with services

This is becoming an increasingly popular option, especially for small companies. As a start-up, you might not have a secretary, system administrator or support staff. This is where a serviced office becomes useful – they offer a fully equipped office, with its furniture, servers, reception and service staff. But watch out for additional fees for any extra services you might request.

2. Think about flexible lease terms

It’s important to think of whether a one-year lease fits your needs or if a longer lease be more beneficial.

SEE ALSO: 5 mistakes to avoid when setting up a business in Dubai

3. Pick an office with parking

This is so often overlooked, but it can truly make a difference. Depending on which area the office is in, it can be a pain trying to find parking. You don’t want to spend an extra 20 minutes every morning trying to find a spot and you definitely don’t want the same for employees or clients visiting.

4. Consider if there’s room to expand

If you’re hoping for growth, then make sure you have enough room for that to happen. You can’t keep moving every time you hire a new employee and this proves a problem if you signed a lease for several years.

5. Consider how many visas you’ll need

If you’re in a Free Zone, the number of visas you can obtain is dictated by how big the office is. Think long-term as you might need to hire more employees in the future. 

6. Avoid renting an office in a building that has your competitors

It might be somewhat odd to take this into consideration, but it can be quite important. You certainly wouldn’t want staff from a rival company to overhear what’s going on at your company. This can easily happen in and around your building as employees talk together or on the phone. Even worse, they could see your potential clients and try to pitch them.

SEE ALSO: Costs of setting up a business in Dubai

7. Don’t opt for a badly maintained office just because it’s cheaper

You might be saving short-term, but on the long-term, this could cause you major problems if your work is interrupted every so often because something needs to get fixed.  

8. Assess if the location truly fits your needs

Since the prices vary based on location, it’s normal that it’ll dictate where you set up your business. But you also have to keep in mind if the area makes sense for you and your business. Are there good public transportation options around? Are there amenities nearby? Is there major construction around that might be disturbing? Is it easy to find? These are all questions you should take into consideration.