Are you looking to increase occupancy rates at your self-storage facility? More people are choosing to live in cities. And this rising urban population means more people live in smaller spaces and need storage solutions. That is good news for our industry. Here are some ideas for achieving success and sustained growth in your self-storage business. Start by understanding your customer base, enhancing your online presence, and prioritizing the customer experience. By implementing these strategies, your self-storage business can thrive — even in our competitive industry.
Understanding Your Customer Base
As we know, self-storage has grown in recent times. To attract customers and increase occupancy at your facility, it is important to understand your customer base. Self-storage customers need storage due to a variety of life changes and events. And we are seeing a lot of that! Whether moving, downsizing, or changing lifestyles, people are using self-storage. About 1 in 5 Americans use self-storage when their home space is not enough. So, in 2023 alone, almost 50.3 million rentable square feet were added to the storage sector. That is an area as big as Central Park.
As a storage facility, you will want to create an appropriate unit mix based on the demographic data of your area. Utilize demographic data from sources like the Census Bureau to tailor your unit mix to local needs. Analyze competitors to determine popular unit sizes and adapt to meet customer demands.
Increase Your Online Presence
A big part of your customer base is from the millennial population. These 28-43-year-olds want to interact with operators using technology. You will need to communicate with them using smartphones, apps, or responsive mobile websites. Your facility should offer virtual tours, online booking, and payment. Also, investigate self-service kiosks, and automated (hands-free) locking and entry systems. Check out our recent blog on embracing technology with Smart Self-Storage for some great information.
There are 3.2 million self-storage-related searches per month. Your website is typically your first impression to potential customers, so you must make it attractive and easy to navigate. Highlight your product or service in a way that allows website visitors to see what they are getting when they choose your facility. For quality online aesthetics, use only high-quality images online. 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.
Market to the Locals
Focus marketing efforts on the local community, as 86% of self-storage customers travel less than 30 minutes to their unit. Implement referral programs and advertise on busy roadways to attract nearby customers. Make sure you have outstanding curb appeal, clear signage, and easy-to-understand boards. Use simple and visible on-site signage. Highlight your facility’s unique offerings to stand out from competitors. And check that it can be read from a drive-by distance.
Mordon Intelligence
“The increasing rate of urbanization is one of the significant factors positively driving market growth. The rising urban population means smaller and increasingly expensive living spaces in cities with more renters who move around frequently.”
Prioritize the Customer Experience
Focus on customer satisfaction to build loyalty and increase tenant retention. Good customer service cultivates trust and loyalty. Check out our blog on Customer-Centric Marketing. 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 will be sure to gain repeat customers. If someone has a positive experience with your brand, there is no reason for them to look elsewhere. Satisfied customers spread the word. Building loyalty can help you get new customers from their reviews.
Provide exceptional service, maintain cleanliness, and actively seek feedback for continuous improvement. Encourage positive testimonials and reviews, leveraging platforms like Google My Business for increased visibility. 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. You will increase occupancy at your self-storage business!
Storage Cafe
Did you know?
The U.S. boasts over 50,000 self-storage facilities, outnumbering outlets of major retail chains like Subway, Dollar General, and CVS combined.
Increasing occupancy requires a deep understanding of your customer base, targeted marketing efforts, and a commitment to exceptional service. By implementing these strategies, your self-storage business can increase occupancy and achieve sustained success.
Boxwell is a leading global provider of portable and relocatable self-storage solutions designed to cater to the diverse needs of businesses worldwide. Our extensive reach encompasses storage facilities across various regions, spanning America, Australia, Canada, Europe, Ireland, Germany, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and beyond. What sets Boxwell apart is our commitment to delivering fully customizable, exceptionally durable, and effortlessly movable storage solutions that meet the unique demands of every client. So, you can focus on running your operation!
Order your self-storage units now and increase occupancy and profitability in the peak season ahead. Make sure your storage solutions can withstand the test of time and provide reliable service to your clients. Work with a Boxwell representative to decide your ideal unit mix, custom colors, door configurations, and more. Your Boxwell storage units will be shipped flat packed and assembled fast with just a few dozen nuts, bolts, and basic tools. You will be ready to rent them in no time! Check out boxwell.co or call (303) 317-5850 for more information.
