It’s tough out there for small business owners. Running a company means hard work and long hours, and owners always look for ways to cut costs and build efficiency. You can never have too much storage space, and at some point, most businesses outgrow the space they’re in—if they have a dedicated storefront or office space at all. Companies can rent expensive commercial real estate or utilize small business storage units.
Today, we’re going to let you in on a business hack thousands of successful small businesses already know: that small business storage units are a secret weapon for lowering overhead, saving time, and avoiding headaches.
However, with self-storage facilities, a little know-how goes a long way. Finding high-quality, low-cost storage is possible, but it’s much easier if you know what you’re doing. We’ve learned a thing or two during our time in the storage industry, and today we’ll tell you everything you need to know about small business storage units.
Try BuxBear Storage first!
To begin, you should search for low-cost storage with BuxBear Storage. If you're in our service area, come check out a BuxBear facility. (And if we're not near you, don't worry—we're constantly expanding!) We've designed our small business storage offerings from the ground up with the owners' needs in mind. Every BuxBear Storage location features a secure perimeter, electronically gated entry, and top-of-the-line security features. All of our ground-floor units offer drive-up access, which is ideal for small businesses that need to move inventory or equipment. Our expert staff act as knowledgeable liaisons for business owners, ensuring you find all the features you need—all within budget.
Come and see for yourself. Through more innovative design and putting the needs of business owners first, we've found a better way to do storage.
Types of small businesses that benefit from storage units
Most small businesses can benefit from renting storage space. Examples of companies that commonly save money and increase profits by using a small business storage space include:
Landscapers and contractors
Small business storage units are a no-brainer for landscapers and general contractors, who have a lot of heavy equipment that takes up a lot of space. From lawnmowers to weed-eaters, tillers and jackhammers, self-storage units allow plenty of room to stow all of the tools of your trade. Many self-storage facilities allow 24/7 access, which helps for those jobs that take place at odd hours or on weekends.
Realtors and home staging professionals
From yard signs to staging furniture, real estate industry professionals have plenty to store and move around. Since most real estate agents and stagers don't have their own dedicated independent office buildings or warehouses, they can end up storing items in their homes—and that adds up.
Hospitality industry pros
Caterers, restaurants, and other hospitality professionals often store chairs, tables, and kitchen equipment in small business storage units.
Product sales
Whether you're a collector selling items in online auctions, a crafter running a booming Etsy store, or a brick-and-mortar store owner overflowing in inventory, the odds are good that you need a lot of storage. A self-storage space is ideal for parking your stock until it's ready to sell.
Factors that can lower your storage unit price
For business owners, getting the most competitive rates is critical. Many factors can affect small business storage unit rates. If you know how it all works, you can find inexpensive storage much more easily.
Location, location, location
Business owners already know this: Location matters. As with any other type of property rental, prices are higher in high-demand areas. You'll find lower rates if you're willing to expand your storage unit search to more suburban or rural areas.
Storage unit prices vary by season
As with booking hotels or plane tickets, storage unit prices are subject to seasonal cycles. Traditionally, rates are higher in the summer and lower in the winter. You'll probably get a better price if you lock in a storage rental contract in the off-season months.
Don't pay more for amenities you don't need
More amenities generally mean more cost. For example, you may not need features like climate control or drive-up access and may pay less for a unit that doesn't have them. Look for the right combination of features that cover your needs, and avoid add-ons and hidden fees for services you don't require.
Look into automated self-storage facilities
Some storage facilities are now entirely remote and have no on-site staff. Customers pay online or through a kiosk and use an app or code to access the facility. As a bonus, these facilities often offer 24/7 access to your unit, a handy perk for small business owners. Because having no on-site staff means less overhead, sometimes automated facilities cost less.
Seek out online discounts for self-storage
Always check online for promotions and discounts. In the self-storage industry, online promotions are common. Some companies even offer discounts simply for signing up online instead of in the office.
Use storage unit price comparison sites
In addition to your primary search engines, several websites let you specifically compare storage unit rates for facilities near you. It's all very similar to how you might use sites like Priceline or Kayak to compare travel and hotel rates. Using these sites can save time, but don't use them as your only source of information. Price comparison sites don't always include all options available in your area, so you might miss out on a great option!
Find the right combo of value and amenities!
A small business storage unit can be a game-changer for business owners who can leverage the space but don't just settle for the lowest price. Many self-storage facilities offer services specifically tailored towards small businesses, including things like office space use and business vehicle parking. And on top of that, the cleanliness and security of the facility matter, as do customer service and a myriad of other factors. Do your due diligence, and look for thoughtful, reliable service at a rate that suits your budget. Remember to check out BuxBear Storage's facilities first. We've built our business to turbo-charge yours.