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It doesn’t matter what kind of business you run, finding enough space for tools, equipment and products can be an ongoing challenge. But there is a solution that doesn’t involve renting a warehouse or outsourcing your operations – business self-storage.
Not only can it help you store, receive and dispatch stock, but you can also book meeting rooms and have your mail collected. Curious to know more? Read on to find out how self-storage can declutter your office, streamline your business and boost your bottom line!
What is business self-storage?
Business self-storage is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets. It allows small- and medium-sized businesses to receive and store goods in a clean and secure environment – without the hassle of long-term leases or utility costs. What’s more, business or commercial self-storage offers services that can save you money and time in the long run. Let’s take a look at five reasons why self-storage could be the answer to your business needs.
Benefits of business self-storage
1. Declutters your home or office
Depending on the kind of business you run, it can be difficult finding enough space to store stock, particularly during peak sale periods. This means your garage, van or home office could fill up very quickly. A large self-storage unit, however, will give you enough space to neatly organise your products for easy retrieval. You can also choose a climate-controlled unit, which prevents the deterioration of delicate stock, and scale up or down if your business needs change.
2. Keeps products and equipment secure
Are you using expensive equipment to run your business, like ride-on mowers or circular saws? Or perhaps you’re selling high-priced items, like electronics or leather bags? These items can easily be stolen or damaged in a van or garage, which is why they’re best stored in a secure environment. Self-storage facilities provide 24-hour CCTV, perimeter fencing and on-site staff to ensure the safety of your goods at all times.
3. Provides forklift and loading services
If you’re receiving containers or palettes of goods, self-storage facilities are well-equipped to receive and store them for as long as you need. In fact, you can use their complimentary loading, unloading and forklift services while you’re there. You don’t have to lift a finger – or hire a forklift driver!
4. Offers business facilities
Receiving stock can be a hassle, particularly when you’re not at home or in the office. But a self-storage facility has a logistics team that can sign for your goods and deliver them to your unit. They can even dispatch your products for you. No post office trips required! Also, if you’re renting a warehouse unit, you’ll have access to electricity, which means you can power up your machinery or laptop any time you want. What’s more, you can meet clients and serve coffee in their fully-equipped meeting rooms. That means you could run your business from the facility, keeping your work and home life separate.
5. Saves you money
If you’ve ever rented office space or a warehouse, you’ll know how costly it can be. You need to sign a long-term lease, pay for the fit-out and cover utilities. And you always pay for more space than you need. In a self-storage facility, leases are monthly and you only pay for the space you use. In addition, you can scale up or down at any time.
What businesses can benefit from self-storage?
Retail store owners
If you have a store with limited storage space, you probably order fewer products to avoid clutter and tripping hazards. With a storage facility, you can keep plenty of stock on hand and retrieve products as necessary. Also, it’s a great place to store excess paper bags, docket rolls and printer cartridges that can take up valuable display space.
E-commerce business owners
Many e-commerce stores are run from home, which means that products and packing materials can take over your house or wind up damaged by children and pets. To avoid this, consider storing all your products and packaging in a secure self-storage unit. This allows you to do all your receiving and dispatching from the facility – and avoid losing or damaging stock. Most facilities look after both incoming and outgoing dispatches, so you can save dozens of trips to the post office!
Tradespeople
Most tradies use a van or garage to store their tools, but this isn’t a secure long-term option. Both are prone to theft, pests, leaks and temperature fluctuations, which could result in expensive replacements and lost work. To keep your tools secure and in good working order, store them in a clean, secure self-storage facility close to home. You can easily pick them up before work and drop them off at the end of the day.
Second-hand retailers
There are literally hundreds of second-hand retailers on eBay and Gumtree. If you’re one of them, you’ll know how challenging it is to store all your products at home. Your dog might tear a vintage rug or a leak could damage a dining table – ruining your chances of getting top dollar. That’s why self-storage should be your go-to option. Not only will it keep your products in a secure, climate-controlled environment, but it also provides a safe place for customers to view your items.
Property stylists
If you’re a property stylist, self-storage is an easy and affordable alternative to a commercial warehouse or shopfront. It gives you plenty of space to store large furniture and appliances, and outdoor units allow for easy removal by van or truck.
Final thoughts
As you can see, there are many reasons why self-storage can benefit your business. In addition to keeping your products secure, it can simplify the receipt, dispatch and movement of your stock, as well as provide meetings spaces and other facilities. This can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. If you’re thinking of using self-storage to take your business to the next level, contact our team and we’ll help you find the right storage solution for your needs.
