Owning a self-storage business can be extremely rewarding as you make a living for your family and you help others out who need a place to store their items. If you are looking for some tips or steps to take to open your own self-storage business, you are in the right place. Below, we will talk about what you can do to get a head start.
Plan Out Your Business and Know What You Want to Offer
Before you open your self-storage business, you need to have a plan in place. This plan should be as detailed as possible and include the customers you want to target and what amenities you plan to offer.
It would be wise to take some time to perform market research and determine what it is that other self-storage facilities offer, taking a closer look at a successful London Storage Facility for example. Then you can carry out further research on what is missing in the market.
If you are based in the US rather than in the UK and were thinking of putting a self-storage facility near Tampa, FL; you would find that there are plenty of storage facilities nearby with great security options but very few with climate-controlled units. This would be a great amenity for you to tap into to gain market share in this location. You can do similar analysis in any location near you.
As you plan your business, you also need to make sure you create a list of start-up costs. This will help you better determine how much money you need and if you plan to seek out investments, the investors will want to know this information too.
Find an Ideal Location to Build Your Facility
If you plan to build your facility from the ground up, you need to source a location that makes sense. Often, the best locations are those that are near busy intersections and near other booming businesses.
Of course, you do not have to build a facility and you can purchase one that is already built. However, you still want to vet the area first before you make your investment.
Reach Your Customers
Today’s world is about the Internet and the mobile phone. Because of this, you need a website and a mobile-friendly site. You want to make sure that you can be found online and that consumers can reserve units online. Without this, consumers may feel inconvenienced and choose someone who can offer this.
In addition to your web presence, you need to make sure that you have a phone, paper advertisements, and an email. You will receive inquiries about your facility and you need to be able to answer them.
One way to reach your customers efficiently is to offer discounts, especially as a new business. You can create a grand opening celebration and invite the local community to come out. Many communities enjoy these types of celebrations and welcome new companies with open arms.
Get Ready to Rule the Self-Storage Space
Always have a plan in place and make sure that your business conforms to and follows all the rules in place by the local, state, and federal agencies. Once you have your storage facility up and running, you can make the adjustments needed to bring in even more customers and appeal to your prospects.
