Looking to boost your business storage with self storage? This guide will help you with more information on this topic, including handy tips and hacks.
Savvy business owners are starting to utilise handy services like Storing.com’s cheap self storage to avoid paying rent for bigger offices, retail premises or warehouse spaces. If you are new to this kind of service, you may well not fully understand what it is, how it works and how it could benefit your business. The good news is that we have collated all the information you need to get a better understanding of cheap self storage, so you’re ready to take the next step and make the most of this helpful business resource:
What Is Self Storage?
Cheap self storage is a facility which holds a range of rooms or spaces that are all different shapes and sizes. They can be indoors or outdoors, with indoor facilities often offering something called climate control, which is where you can change the temperature of the unit to suit what you store in there. Wine storage, for example, tends to work best at a lower temperature. Temperature control also helps you avoid exposing your things to extreme cold or heat, which can happen in certain climates and may damage certain items.
What Can You Store In Self Storage?
You can store nearly anything in self storage, apart from the list of prohibited items which will be outlined by the facility that you use. Usually it includes items such as:
- Live animals or insects
- Organic matter like plants or grocery items
- Explosives like fireworks
- Drugs or anything illegal
It is important to check these prohibited items before signing a contract with a unit, especially if your business storage may need to enable you to house sensitive items.
Otherwise you can store paperwork, tables, tools, display items, clothes, merchandise or other stock inside your unit. Some facilities will even allow you to hold the unit as a makeshift office or fulfilment space, but it is important to ask about this beforehand just to check if it is allowed.
Why Use Self Storage For Business Storage?
There are many different reasons that self storage is a good idea for most businesses, including:
- No need to pay for a bigger office
- Better ability to utilise office/ retail space
- Avoid lengthy and expensive warehouse contracts
- Affordable rates
- Flexible contracts
- Various sizes available
- Easy change to smaller and bigger units as needed
- Can be used seasonally
- Great for help during consistent Covid-19 rule changes
- Useful for most business types
- Can be used as an office/ working space in some facilities
- Security tends to be better than offices/ warehouses
- Human error/ weather damage protection
- Additional services like paper destruction offered
For certain businesses like e-commerce businesses, which make up $4.28 trillion USD in sales worldwide, self storage is particularly useful. It means that you can operate entirely online without worrying about storage space. This is invaluable for smaller online businesses who may not have the same available resources as large retail organisations who operate both on and offline. Or as opposed to businesses who have a larger worth overall and therefore the ability to rent entire warehouses as needed.
How To Choose A Cheap Self Storage Facility
One of the most important things you can do when you are selecting a self storage facility is to take the time to check out the options available to you. This facility has such an important job, it is important that it is right for your needs. Let’s take a closer look at self storage facilities and what to look out for as a business:
Lots Of Flexibility
Any business using cheap self storage needs to have the flexibility to make the most of the service. The ability to change units, to close contracts at short notice or to facilitate deliveries all need to be within your reach without much effort as a business.
Good Customer Service
Good customer service is essential when you’re using a High Desert self storage facility for your business. You need to be able to get help and advice from a team who cares about your needs. You shouldn’t feel as though you can’t approach a member of staff to enquire about a problem you’re having. You also need to trust those who are in charge of keeping your things safe. You should feel that the staff are well trained and also proud of where they work, which should happen with both family owned and brand owned facilities.
Great Maintenance
When you are walking around a facility having a look at it, do look out for signs that it is well maintained. It should be clean, hygienic and safe with no signs of deteriorating brickwork, rust or piles of rubbish or disarray anywhere. This shows that the unit, and the main facility building are maintained well, giving your belongings the best chance of being placed in a unit in good condition.
Impressive Security
Some outdoor storage facilities leave it up to you to lock your unit however you see fit. They then take care of the security of the overall grounds, including fencing and gating. You will usually get better security with indoor storage facilities who may have gating, security lights, fencing and then multiple security points inside. 24/7 reception, security guards, security cameras and multiple key lock points are all something you might see at a good facility.
Ideally, you will be impressed by the security you see, and at the very least you should feel that the security trumps any security that you have at home or wherever you stock is currently stored.
Suitable Access
Suitable access is imperative if you know you need to visit the unit regularly, or at certain times. If you need to access it during the evening or the weekend it is important to know that it will be open then. You should also check that deliveries can be taken during antisocial hours too, if that is important to you.
Good Rates
Rather than looking for the cheapest rates, you should look for the best value for money. You don’t need to spend a lot to get excellent self storage, but you may need to pay a little more to get the most for your money compared to no frills storage which has a role to play, but perhaps not when you’re storing precious business belongings.
Easy Distance
The unit should be within an easy distance of your workplace, home or other location that is important to your business. If you are visiting less often then it can be a little more of a drive. If you want to visit everyday, within a 30 minutes radius of your workplace or home is useful. Are the deliveries coming from a certain depot or airport? A unit within easy proximity of those places will come in handy.
The best thing to do is make enquiries and then visit your top three favourites for a better look at what is on offer. This is a great time to ask for further contract details so that you can understand the small print before coming to a decision.
Are You Ready To Take The Next Step?
Our handy beginners guide really is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cheap self storage. If you’re interested in taking the next step and making an inquiry about this helpful service, why not call a facility near you today? It’s time your business benefited from this smart storage choice. See https://storing.com/ for more details.
