Maximising Profitability at Your Self Storage Facility

The self storage industry is booming. But with new facilities opening every month, standing out in this competitive space isn’t as easy as it used to be. Here’s your practical guide to attracting more customers and maximising your facility’s profits.

Make Your Digital Presence Count

Your online presence is your first impression. Make it count. According to the Self Storage Association (SSA), 79% of people start their storage searches online. This means that potential customers will evaluate your facility before ever setting foot on your property.

Make sure customers can easily find what they’re looking for. Your unit sizes, prices, and availability should be front and center. Make sure you’re adding clear photos of your facility and showcasing your security features. This way your customers see exactly what they’re getting.

Something that’s easy, but often missed, is making it mobile-friendly. With a large percentage of storage searches happening on phones now, you may be losing customers if your site isn’t working well on mobile.

Local SEO

Local visibility is everything in self storage. Nobody wants to drive across town to store their stuff. Focus on showing up when local customers search.

Optimise your Google Business Profile  first. It’s free, and it works.

Make sure you’re adding photos regularly, responding to reviews promptly and updating your hours and special offers. Simple stuff, but it makes a huge difference in local search results.

Turn Visitors into Customers

Here’s what works on your website:

• A clear, simple booking system
• Real-time unit availability
• Transparent pricing
• Easy contact options - phone, email, and chat
• Clear directions to your facility

According to the SSA, the number of customers obtained when self storage facilities display their prices online has grown to 82%. Don’t make people hunt for information. The easier you make it to book, the more bookings you’ll get.  Consider leveraging modern self storage management software to integrate an online booking system that converts visitors into customers.

Partner with Local Businesses

Build relationships in your community. Real estate agents often have clients who need storage during moves. Similarly, moving companies need storage partners and local businesses might need seasonal storage space.

Another strategy with partnerships is to create win-win partnerships. You can do this by offering referral commissions, bundling services with moving companies and giving real estate agents preferred rates for their clients. These partnerships can bring steady streams of new customers.

Make Customer Service Your Edge

Great service sells itself. Storage might be about space, but it’s also about trust. People want to know their belongings are safe. They want easy access. They want helpful staff when problems arise.

Make it easy for customers to:

• Get help when they need it
• Access their units
• Pay their rent
• Report problems
• Extend their stay

Quick responses matter. Answer calls promptly. Reply to emails fast and solve problems immediately. Happy customers tell their friends. You might also consider showcasing your customer case studies to highlight success stories.

Keep Your Occupancy Rates High

Seems pretty obvious, right? But research shows that while occupancy rates are down 2.5%, conversion rates are up. This shows that operators aren’t failing to convert enquiries but receiving a low number of enquiries. Stashbee’s lead generation tool  ‘Pipeline’ streamlines the process of finding high-quality leads, helping operators boost occupancy rates and extend booking durations—all at a fraction of traditional marketing costs. Better leads mean better conversion rates and longer stays.

Minimise Operation Costs and Optimise Operations

Install energy-efficient lights in your units and LED light outside the facility to help cut costs. You can also use motion sensors to help avoid unnecessary use of light. Optimise your staff by analysing your occupancy rate and further cross-train them or hire generalists who have more than one area of expertise and can perform multiple tasks. To streamline and automate administrative tasks, we suggest using self storage management software.

Offer Deals That Work

Everyone loves a good deal. But be smart about your promotions:

• First month discount for new customers
• Longer-term discounts for 6+ month stays
• Student specials during university breaks
• Senior discounts
• Referral rewards that actually motivate

Track what works. Adjust what doesn’t. Keep your promotions simple and clear.

Build Customer Loyalty

Keeping customers is cheaper than finding new ones. Create reasons for customers to stay:

• Regular facility updates
• Clean, well-maintained units
• Responsive customer service
• Clear communication
• Loyalty rewards for long-term customers

Take Action Today

Pick the easiest win from this list. Maybe it’s claiming your Google Business Profile. Maybe it’s starting a referral program. Maybe it’s signing up with stashbee  to get high-quality leads to your inbox or integrating a robust self storage management system like Storeganise to streamline all your operations.

Then move to the next thing. And the next. Small improvements add up.

Remember: Success in self-storage isn’t about doing one big thing perfectly. It’s about doing many small things well, and consistently. Start today.