Founders must be able to put every dime they can into growing their startups. One main way to accomplish this is by saving as much money as possible on expenses. When founders must put a great deal of money into equipment, office space, and employees, there’s less money left over to spend on marketing and networking. That being said, there are often benefits to being with others and today there is a wide range of options of where to work.

Know yourself. Of course you want to limit your expenses in the beginning. That being said, you must know yourself and understand if working alone in your apartment or home office is going to make you productive. This also does not need to be an all or nothing decision – you can work from home some days and then have a part time office option on other days. When you read the options we have outlined here, keep in mind that keeping yourself focused and productive is just as important as the dollars.

There are alternatives new business owners should consider:

• Local Hotel or Coffee Shop. If you can’t afford space, get out of your home office every day, or here and there, by visiting a local hotel or coffee shop. They all have Internet access and in most cases are happy to have you. Develop a relationship with the manager so they know who you are – you may even get priority on your daily latte.
• Home Office. Most small business owners start at home, generating ideas and interacting with potential clients using personal equipment. Businesses can hire virtual receptionists, set up a local mailbox, and even arrange to use a shared conference room center for client meetings. For best results, set a daily work schedule and stick to it, letting others in your life know that you need to keep structured work hours to be successful. Join local networking groups to fulfill your need to interact with others to help get the word out about your business.
• Co-working Spaces. As technology has made it easier to start a small business, co-working spaces have arrived to fill the need for affordable workspace for new businesses. Fees are more affordable than traditional office leases and some co-working spaces allow business owners to rent space for a certain number of days each month, rather than committing to daily use. These spaces usually offer conference rooms, break areas, and occasionally even amenities such as fitness center access. Best of all, participants usually have access to other startup founders, with whom they can network and possibly even form partnerships to help each other grow.

Startup founders have several options when it comes to affordable office spaces. Not only will they find a less expensive alternative to office leases, but they’ll also have access to amenities and networking opportunities that they might not have in a traditional space. Founders must shop various options and find the one that fits their needs.