Ecommerce & Coworking? Wait, what?
✍🏻 From the Desk of Reed Thompson, CEO of Deskworks
Not long ago, the idea of ecommerce had little to no place in the coworking and flex office industry. Everything revolved around in-person tours and meetings, with transactions handled some time after a walk-through — or by way of back-and-forth phone calls and emails. It was a process built on human connection, but it required time, coordination, and patience.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape is changing — fast. Companies like Flexspace AI and us here at Deskworks have fully embraced ecommerce, offering “buy now” options directly on operator websites. That means customers can book meeting rooms, private offices, or coworking memberships with just a few clicks. For the end user, it’s as easy as ordering my favorite DoorDash indulgence — a chile verde burrito.
More Than Just Convenience
This isn’t just about speed. It’s about fundamentally changing how flexible workspaces are discovered, purchased, and managed. Across the industry, more bookings than ever are happening entirely online — and many are for same-day use. That shift reflects what today’s mobile workforce demands: instant access, 24/7 booking, and no friction.
Why Operators Are Getting on Board
The benefits for coworking and flex space providers are crystal clear:
- Streamlined operations – Reservations and payments become automated, eliminating the back-and-forth.
- Lower staffing needs – Teams can focus on hospitality instead of scheduling logistics.
- Better customer experience – Guests book exactly what they need, exactly when they need it.
- Incremental revenue – Dynamic pricing and analytics fill unused inventory and capture high-intent demand.
A Permanent Shift
In today’s world, immediacy is the norm. We stream movies, hail rides, and order dinner in minutes — and we expect workspaces to keep up.
Ecommerce isn’t a “what if” anymore. It’s core infrastructure, reshaping how the coworking and flex office industry operates and making flexible work more accessible than ever for a global, on-demand workforce.
Final Thought — From Trend to Table Stakes
As someone deeply invested in both the technology powering coworking and the real-world operations behind it, I see this first-hand: the spaces that adopt ecommerce tools early stand to capture the next wave of growth. Those that hesitate risk getting left behind. The smartest operators I know treat their website as one of their best salespeople — one that works 24/7, never needs a coffee break, and says “yes” the moment a customer is ready to book.
– Reed Thompson, CEO
