Self-Storage Websites! - Why You Want Yours to be Great!

Location, Location, Location. Location matters for your website too. If you are not on the first page of the Google search, you are not in business. If you are on the first page, is your webpage exceptional or just ordinary. If you want to stand out from the competition, then you need to be extraordinary.

Think about what you as a consumer want from a website. You want to be able to go to the website, have it load quickly, get your business done and then leave. So, what business does a consumer want to get done on a self-storage website. It depends. There are two types of consumers who visit your website, your renters, and your potential renters.

Your renters want to be able to go in and make a payment, update automatic payment information, update an address, or talk to the manager. They should be able to do all of those things from your website. If your website doesn’t allow your renters to make their payments online, you need to make that change. This is one of the most common things that people expect to be able to do.

Your manager is not available 24/7 but your customers want answers when they want answers. There is software that can send a text to your renter saying that your manager will get back to them shortly. Then the same software can send a text to your manager. This way, if they are available, they can respond right away and if not, they can respond when they are available.

You want to make sure that you offer modern technology conveniences to your renters. This is a way to stay ahead of the competition. By showing your renters that you have these options available to them, you can stand out from other self-storage facilities. Service is a great way to stand out.

Your potential renters want to be able to shop around and then when they find a self-storage facility that they want to work with, they want to rent a unit online and then show up with a load of their belongings to unload into that unit.

Your website may be the only interaction that you ever get with a potential renter. As a result, you want to make sure that you give them the best impression possible. Make sure that your website is easy to use. You want people to be able to navigate your website easily. If the pages don’t load quickly on this easy journey, they are going to go to the next self-storage website.

You also want your self-storage website to slowly lead your viewers to renting a facility. If someone wants to know how much a 10x10 holds, your website should show them, and then offer them a rental unit. Before they leave the website, your website should ask them if they want to make a reservation before they go. Often, people just need to be asked if they want to do something to get them to do it.

Your website should be up to date. Your website should know your pricing and how many units you have available at all times. Allow your renters to reserve a unit online. You may want to allow them to DocuSign a contract online and provide automatic payment information. If you do this, make sure that your manager still reviews the contract with them when they arrive. Your manager can still upsell them when they get there. If they have signed a contract with you, they have stopped looking at your competition.

You should have a Q&A section on your website. Many potential renters have never used self-storage before. Think about what types of questions each group of renters might have. The people who are remodeling want to know if there is a minimum length of time they have to stay. The people who are moving want to know how secure your facility is, they are putting everything they own in that unit.

Renters oftentimes have no idea what size unit they need, so show them or explain to them by referencing rooms in their home. Help them bring your facility to life. Allow them to chat with the manager if they want additional information.

Finally, your SEO is critical. If you do not pull up at the top of the Google search, you don’t exist. You have to make sure that you are doing the right things to end up at the top of the Google search. If you are not, start doing the right things to get there. Whether you hire a marketing company to get you to the top of the list or you do it yourself, you aren’t in business if you aren’t on the first page of Google results. As always, happy investing.