Picking the perfect business location can be a challenge. It isn’t as simple as finding a building that meets your needs, although that is a big part of it; it is about identifying the right location along with the suitable building. Remember, a structure can be altered physically, or you can choose construction management programs to help you design the perfect building for your business. Still, a bad location cannot be changed.
Footfall
If you’re opening a retail unit, you need to ensure the area has sufficient footfall to sustain your store. For this reason, you need to pinpoint a site with good visibility, proven custom, and is easily accessible via foot and public transport and has parking for people visiting by car.
The same goes for opening a food and drink business or anything that requires people to purchase from a store or enjoy their wares.
Accessibility
Not only does your location need to be easily accessed by those who are differently abled and need support to navigate steps and open doors, but you also need to ensure other businesses or vendors and customers can also access your business too for deliveries. Is the location close to highways, and major roads, something which is required for warehouses or trucking institutes, or can people find your offices easily if you are having people attend appointments such as a doctor’s office or lawyer?
Be aware of any delivery restrictions, such as no vehicles after a particular time or width limits for wide loads, that might affect deliveries or noise level control.
Planning Restrictions
If you’re going to need to make changes, including even erecting a sign, you need to make sure the building has permits to allow any changes, even minor cosmetic ones; the landlord or commercial realtor can enlighten you as to any restrictions that might be in place regarding altering any internal or external fittings, walls, entrances, etc. this can affect how you are able to design the layout, the fittings you can add and how you use the space altogether.
Local Amenities
Is there anything close to your location? Do you need to make frequent trips to the banks, or do you need to be close to retailers or food outlets for staff to buy lunches? While a remote location might be ideal for businesses that don’t require footfall, if it is too remote, you might run into a few issues if you need to use other businesses’ services.
Crime Rate
Lastly, have you considered the crime rate in the area? High crime rates can affect many aspects of your business, such as requiring additional security measures to keep your inventory and staff safe and higher insurance premiums to cover potential claims that you are at risk of making more of in a higher crime area.
Conclusion
Choosing a business location is more complex than simply finding a building you like and can configure for your business. You need to factor in a wide range of points to help you make sure you are not only picking the suitable business premises and the right location.
