You are prepared to open your doors and greet everyone on this first day of your coworking adventure! You have to explain coworking to someone for the eighth time this week, deal with inefficient processes, and have little to no feeling of community within a week.
You didn’t expect coworking to be this difficult, but no one ever claimed it was simple. What do you do, then?

We’ll go over five typical coworking space challenges that coworking owners and operators may face in 2025, along with solutions for each one.

5 Challenges for Coworking Spaces In 2025

As we step into 2025, the coworking industry continues to evolve, shaped by new trends, technologies, and work preferences. While demand for flexible workspaces remains strong, coworking operators face unique challenges that require innovative solutions. From adapting to hybrid work models to ensuring profitability amidst growing competition, the road ahead is both exciting and demanding.

This article explores five key challenges coworking spaces are likely to encounter in 2025 and offers actionable strategies to overcome them. Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just starting your coworking journey, these insights will help you navigate the future of shared workspaces with confidence.

Looking for a coworking space? Checkout this detailed blog on, how to find the right enterprise coworking space for your team?

1. You Don’t Have Enough Members

One of the hottest topics for operators old and new is growth. With occupancy metrics a key performance indicator for many operators, healthy membership growth is critical. When first opening a coworking space, it’s not uncommon to struggle with attracting members to your space. While there are many different marketing ideas and strategies you can use to get membership up, we believe in starting with the fundamentals.

What do you offer that is unique?

When operators are struggling with getting members, there’s usually an issue with their offering. If and when you figure that out, then you can pivot to deploying different marketing strategies like direct mail, local SEO, and Google ads to drive member acquisition.

How to Overcome it?

• Complete market research before you open to ensure you are targeting the right demographic with a compelling offer that they care about.
• Experiment with your marketing strategy and tactics to figure out what works and iterate quickly.
• Set up a referral program to take advantage of the members you do have and encourage the most valuable marketing of all – word of mouth.

2. You’re Struggling to Build Community

As Mitchell Purdy, Founder at Suite Genius said, “Community is a bit of a buzzword in coworking.” That may be true, but it’s also an important component of the coworking experience that many members seek out.
Many operators struggle with what it takes (and what it means) to build community. Do you hold more events? If so, what events do you hold? How do you know what’s working and what’s not?

Building a sense of community is a critical part of creating a shared office space that truly thrives. It’s difficult to turn the community on, but once it’s there, you can watch it foster and grow on its own.

How to Overcome it?

• Create opportunities for members to naturally connect with one another, whether that’s a weekly happy hour, Waffle Wednesdays, or large kitchens optimized for casual water cooler chats.
• Play matchmaker and go out of your way to connect members with others with similar interests or occupations.
• Set up a digital directory where members can add information about themselves and use it to message other members.

Suggested readings: Corporate Offices vs Managed Office Solutions

3. People Don’t “Get” Coworking

On a recent coworking space challenges webinar, one panelist said that one of their greatest obstacles was educating people on what coworking is. This can be hard to understand as someone deeply embedded in the future of coworking spaces industry. But it’s a reality that many operators face, especially in rural communities.

Even if people know what coworking is, they may struggle to understand why they should pay to work somewhere when they can work from home for free. As the old adage goes, your competition as a coworking space is often people’s kitchen table.

How to Overcome it?

• Education, education, education. Spend time creating resources that explain what coworking is and how it benefits people beyond just providing a place to work.
• Attend local community events and meet-ups so people know who you are and the value you bring for professionals in the area.

4. Your Processes Are Inefficient

Many coworking spaces lose money due to inefficiencies in their processes. This often stems from having the wrong technology (or none at all) or relying too heavily on manual work to get things done.

Inefficiencies hinder growth and reduce the overall quality of the coworking experience. The earlier you identify and address these inefficiencies, the better.

How to Overcome it?

• Select the right coworking software from the beginning to avoid migration challenges down the line.
• Create an integrated ecosystem of technology tools instead of relying too heavily on one—or, worse, fragmented tools.
• Leverage automation to save time, improve operational efficiency, and provide a seamless experience for your members.

5. You Have the Wrong Product Mix

The future of coworking spaces lies in understanding market demands. The product mix has evolved significantly, especially post-COVID, with private offices in high demand.

Too many private offices, and you risk turning into an executive office space with no open seating. Too few, and you’ll struggle to meet demand. Balancing the right mix of offerings is crucial for profitability.

How to Overcome it?

• Design your space in a way that is flexible and modular so you can adjust the product mix without requiring a complete overhaul.
• Incorporate a few highly profitable features like event spaces or training classrooms.
• Aim for an 80/20 mix of private offices and meeting rooms to open seating areas for optimum profitability.

Coworking Challenges? Here’s How to Conquer Them!

Tackling the coworking space challenges of 2024 can feel overwhelming, but every roadblock is an opportunity to learn and adapt. Focus on refining your value proposition, experimenting with marketing, and investing in efficient processes. Educate your community about coworking and tailor your offerings to meet their needs.

By staying flexible and embracing the shared office space trends for 2024, you can turn your coworking space into a thriving community and a sustainable business.

Conclusion

The coworking landscape in 2024 is dynamic, with challenges ranging from attracting members to refining operational efficiency. By addressing these obstacles proactively, coworking operators can transform hurdles into opportunities. Whether it’s optimizing your marketing strategies, building a vibrant community, or streamlining processes with the right tools, the key lies in adaptability and a commitment to creating value for your members.

As coworking spaces evolve to meet new demands, embracing innovation and staying attuned to industry trends will help you create a thriving, profitable space that fosters productivity, collaboration, and community. BHIVE Workspace implements the right strategies that has helped us become the go-to destination for professionals looking for more than just a place to work.

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