How can you attract customers to your storage business? The key is understanding your customer base. And reaching them with them targeted marketing efforts. We have more ways to reach our customers than ever before. Often, the biggest challenge is knowing which to use and when. Whatever the location or size of your storage business, people need to be able to find you, connect with you, and ultimately become customers.
Self-storage is growing and evolving into quite a competitive industry. There are increased facilities, increasing customer turnover, and ever-changing technologies. It’s smart to have some simple marketing strategies set in place for your storage facility. For even the most seasoned owners and operators, marketing can feel complicated. But planning a marketing strategy does not have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking to find new clients, boost revenue, or get your brand out there, a smart marketing plan is key to attract customers to your storage business.
So how do you attract customers to your storage business? Here are some ideas.
Your website is your first impression to potential customers, so it is critical that you make it attractive and easy to navigate. Highlight your product or service in a way that allows website visitors to easily see (and understand) what they are really getting when they choose your facility. Most internet users own a smartphone, so make sure your website is also accessible for viewers on the go. For quality online aesthetics, use only high-quality images online. Invest in a professional photographer for images of your facilities and a professional designer for your logo and signage. Be sure to include a variety of photos on your site, such as facility photos, team photos, and custom graphics. Consider using drone videography to capture your facility. This will give your customers a unique view of your business.
Be sure your facility is easily locatable online. When someone does a local Google search, your facility should pop up. SEO is a big key to online marketing success. Search engine optimization involves choosing and using the right keywords for your website. Search for what keywords and key phrases within your area pop up on Google. If you do not have an ability in SEO best practices, it’s worth it to hire someone who does to help you use the right keywords throughout your website and posts. Ranking high on Google searches can supply a serious boom in your business. Social Media is also an important marketing tool. There are some very effective online advertising tools out there for storage businesses. Try advertising online with Facebook ads and Google PPC. With consistent blogs, posts, and ads on social media (such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook), you will get your facility recognized over time.
At the end of the day, your marketing begins with the in-house face of your business. Your manager is the first impression of your self-storage business. This is the person who runs the day-to-day physical operation. Often, this is also the person who keeps the online presence of your facility. Because so much depends on first impressions, you must train your managers with your marketing strategy in mind. Think about the whole picture when considering how to improve upon your business’s marketing strategy to attract customers. It’s not a one-size-fits-all industry, so be flexible and creative!
Most people get their information from the internet these days. However, you should still make sure that you have a significant tangible presence. Advertise on busy roadways near your facility so potential customers are aware that you’re right down the street from them. Making a name for yourself in your community is a super important part of your marketing strategy. Consider how you’re displaying yourself to the local community. Make sure you have outstanding curb appeal, clear signage, and easy-to-understand boards. Use simple and highly visible on-site signage. Be sure to highlight not only your name, but also what you offer. For example, be sure to use “Self-Storage” in your signage along with a phone number. And check that it is easily read from drive-by distance.
Some interesting stats to keep in mind when planning your storage business:
- 86% of people travel less that 30 minutes to their self-storage unit
- 72% of business that use self-storage have less than 10 staff
- Divorced or separated people are twice as likely to use self-storage
- 32% of customers are involved in moving house
- 87% of customers are over 35 years old – with 42% being between 50 and 65
- 58% of storage customers are between 50 and 74
Consider the community surrounding your business within your marketing plan. The benefits of giving back to the community are far reaching. Firstly, you will create a stronger, more productive team. Secondly, you will connect with your local community. Thirdly, you will improve your bottom line. Companies recognize this trend and put more value into their community commitment. Here are some ideas for how to attract customers to your storage business by supporting your local community:
- Offer a storage unit to a local organization in need
- Support local schools and aging facilities
- Donate every time someone signs a lease at your facility
- Sign up for volunteer opportunities as a team
- Give monetary donations every year to nonprofits
- Work at local soup kitchens during the holidays
- Make giving part of your company culture
- Offer discounts to local nonprofits
- Match employee donations
- Sponsor local sports teams
Good customer service cultivates trust and loyalty. The goal is to win and keep customers with the quality of your product or service. Plan to build loyalty from the start, and you’ll be sure to gain repeat customers. If someone has a positive experience with your brand, there’s no reason for them to look elsewhere. Happy customers spread the word. Building loyalty can help you get new customers from their reviews. These positive testimonials will be more effective (and cheaper) than any of your current marketing efforts.
Be sure to steer your customers to your Google My Business page. This is an important (and easy) marketing tool that we all have at our disposal. It’s a great way to attract customers to your self-storage business. All you have to do is provide clients with a request for review through a link. Here is our Google My Business review page, for instance. The more reviews you receive here, the more Google will favor your business over less-reviewed businesses in your area. Ultimately, you will attract more customers to your self-storage business, and your bottom line will improve!
The demand for storage has only increased, and the need for solid communication between consumers and businesses continues. Consumers are changing how they decide upon a brand. Therefore, businesses must prepare how they will react. And good communication and customer relationships are the first things to consider! To do that, be sure to have a solid online presence, make a good first impression, connect with your community, and showcase your testimonials.
At the core, Boxwell uses a hands-on approach to business that is carried throughout everything we do. Our product speaks for itself, and every detail along the way matters. From our first phone call to the finished install and onto the next order, we want our customers to have the best experience with Boxwell. When we need to talk, we pick up the phone. If there are questions, we demo our product. When intrigued with something new, we give it a try. If a team member needs help, we offer it. When our community needs support, we lend our resources. With creative, problem-solving ways of “thinking outside of the box,” anything is possible. That’s our culture.
Intended to help you increase your business’ revenue-generating space, our portable containers and relocatable self-storage units are flexible, stackable, and beautiful! Boxwell is here to ensure that our products help you achieve your business goals. Our products include drive-up self-storage units, relocatable self-storage units, mobile storage units, portable storage containers, residential storage containers, moving containers, and restoration containers.
Work with a Boxwell representative to decide on an ideal, moveable storage unit mix, custom colors, door configurations and more. Once you place an order, we deliver and install your Boxwell relocatable self-storage units. 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!
