Selecting the Best Shared Workspace for Your Tech Needs Shared workspaces are a great option for small companies, Watercooler's Jenifer Ross shares how to make sure the office has everything you need.

Q: What sort of technology should my startup look for in a shared workspace?

A: Co-working spaces have sprung up across the country, offering affordable desks or offices for freelancers, independent contractors and one- or two-person companies that aren't big enough to sign a long-term office lease. In addition to infrastructure, these spaces can offer proximity to other driven and enthusiastic people with diverse talents who can be hired quickly to assist with a project--and who, of course, pay their share of the rent.

Some of these offices are nothing more than raw space with thrift-shop furniture and a single Wi-Fi router. Others look like full-fledged corporate headquarters, with a receptionist and sleek new furnishings and telecom connections. To figure out what makes sense for a tech-based new business, we turned to Jenifer Ross, founder of Watercooler, a co-working space in Tarrytown, N.Y.