In the ever-evolving landscape of the storage industry, customer-centric marketing has emerged as the key to success. Whatever the location or size of your storage business, people need to be able to find you, connect with you, and become loyal customers. And we have more ways to reach our customers than ever before. Often, the biggest challenge is knowing which to use and when. Understanding your customers and effectively reaching them through targeted marketing efforts can make all the difference in attracting and retaining customers for your storage business.
Self-storage has grown into a competitive industry marked by increased facilities, changing customer preferences, and evolving technologies. Establishing a solid customer-centric marketing strategy for your storage facility is not just beneficial; it is imperative. While marketing may seem daunting, it does not have to be. Whether you are looking to expand your client base, boost revenue, or increase brand recognition, a well-crafted marketing plan is the key to success.
So how do you build a company that’s customer-centric? It’s simple. To begin with, your whole team should engage in day-to-day connections. No matter what their role or title, everyone should spend time hearing both the pain points and positive testimonials firsthand. Next, be available. Leave no phone calls or emails unanswered. Don’t miss out on any opportunities to connect with clients. And lastly, take nothing for granted. Clients’ needs are ever evolving. Just because they’re your customers now doesn’t mean they’ll be your customers forever. Here are some ideas for how to find and maintain customers in today’s market:
Your website is the first impression for potential customers, so it must be visually appealing and user-friendly. Ensure that your website clearly highlights your offerings and is mobile-friendly. High-quality images of your storage facility can significantly enhance your online aesthetics. Consider incorporating drone videography to provide a unique perspective of your business. Unlike your physical locations with operating hours, your website is accessible 24/7. It allows customers to explore your self-storage options, access pricing information, and make reservations or inquiries at any time. If you go to your website right now, does it reflect the current state of your brand? Does it look inviting and easy to navigate? Does it have a clear and present call to action? And do not forget about your website’s SEO. Tap into keywords that will draw customers to your self-storage business whenever you can.
To make your facility easily discoverable online, invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Identify relevant keywords and phrases for your area by researching local Google search results. If SEO is not something you understand, consider hiring an expert to ensure your website and posts are optimized. Ranking high on Google searches can boost your business. Many people use online directories when searching for local businesses. List your business on popular online directories like Google My Business, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Bing Places for Business, and Chamber of Commerce. Also look for specialized online directories that focus on self-storage or related industries, such as the Self-Storage Association, SpareFoot, and SelfStorage.com. Being listed in these directories can help you reach people who are searching for storage solutions. To improve your visibility in local search results, make the most out of your listings by including location-specific keywords and phrases.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn offer effective online advertising tools for storage businesses. Consistently posting blogs, updates, and ads can help raise awareness of your facility over time. Position yourself as an expert in the storage industry by sharing valuable tips, advice, and guides on social media. Create content that educates customers on packing techniques, organization tips, and space-saving solutions. Have fun with these posts. Encourage users to engage by posting contests or giveaways. And be sure to respond promptly to inquiries. Use social media to highlight your team and local connections to your community here to attract and keep customers on a level that basic marketing advertising cannot. And you can set up posts across different platforms at the same time to quickly capture an even larger audience.
Your storage facility managers play a crucial role as the face of your self-storage business. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintaining your online presence. Training your managers with your marketing strategy in mind is essential because first impressions are paramount. Whether you choose an on-site manager, automated software, or a combination of both, it is important to develop a streamlined process. As owner and operator of the storage facility, be sure to lead by example. Roll up your sleeves and dig into the work. Engage with your employees, ask questions, and actively listen to truly understand current issues. And offer resources and training on the software and smart entry systems that your facility uses. If you and your team are ready for anything together, you will be able to serve your customers.
Make it easy for your customers to find you. While the internet is a primary source of information, having a tangible presence is still vital. Advertise near your facility to ensure potential customers are aware of your location. Customers want a facility that is close to home, easy to access, and safe. Creating a strong presence in your community through curb appeal, clear signage, and easy-to-understand boards can help attract local customers. Your storage business needs to be visible from the road. Portable storage containers are often branded with a business logo and contact information. These double as great billboards for your facility. Approachable and accessible businesses have the edge over all others. And when customers find you, be sure the you are available to them throughout the process. Today’s customers have no patience when it comes to slow and poor customer service. For more customer-centric marketing, be sure to respond to all inquiries, questions, and concerns in a timely manner.
Incorporate community involvement into your marketing plan. Giving back to your local community not only strengthens your team but also establishes meaningful connections. Consider offering storage units to local organizations in need, supporting schools, or donating when someone signs a lease at your facility. Aligning your brand with community values can boost your reputation and bottom line. Participate in local events or collaborate with community organizations to increase visibility and show connections. This community and customer-centric marketing can help attract customers and build a positive reputation within the neighborhoods you serve. Storage facilities are giving back to the community more than ever this year. When a company works to make a difference from the inside out, the benefits go beyond the bottom line.
Exceptional customer-centric marketing builds trust and loyalty. Aim to cultivate loyalty from the start, as loyal customers are more likely to provide positive reviews and referrals, which can be more effective and cost-efficient than traditional marketing efforts. Share success stories of customers who have benefited from using your self-storage facility. Highlight unique challenges they faced and how your services helped them overcome those challenges. And always look at customer feedback, conduct market research, and track industry developments to adjust your marketing efforts to meet the shifting demands of the market. As we have mentioned, customers will move to another business if they are not getting exceptional service. Treat your new and current clients with the same enthusiasm and professionalism. Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business page. Positive reviews can significantly improve your online reputation and visibility in local search results, attracting more customers.
To attract customers, it’s important to understand what they’re looking for. These days, success comes down to our ability to effectively communicate and market online and within your communities. As the demand for storage continues to rise, effective customer-centric marketing is key for success. In a world where consumers make decisions based on online presence and community engagement, it is essential to create a strong digital footprint, make a memorable first impression, connect with your community, and display customer testimonials.
At Boxwell, we take a hands-on approach to business, prioritizing customer experience in every interaction. Our flexible, foldable, and stackable storage solutions are designed to help you maximize revenue-generating space. Whether you need drive-up self-storage units, relocatable self-storage units, or portable storage containers, we are here to assist you every step of the way.
Intended to help you increase your revenue-generating space, our portable containers and relocatable self-storage units are flexible, stackable, and beautiful! Above all, Boxwell is here to ensure that our products help you achieve your business goals. To summarize, our products include portable storage containers, drive-up self-storage units, relocatable self-storage units, mobile storage units, residential storage containers, moving containers, and restoration containers.
Work with a Boxwell representative to decide on your ideal, moveable storage unit mix, custom colors, door configurations, and more. Once you place an order, we deliver and install your Boxwell portable and relocatable self-storage units. And you’ll be ready to rent them in no time! For any questions about our products and services, check out www.boxwell.co or call (303) 317-5850 today!
