How Self-Storage Can Help Small Businesses

If you own or run a small business, consider self-storage as a strategic option to support your operations and bottom line. Whether you use it temporarily or year ‘round, self-storage can help small businesses across a variety of industries.

Benefits of Self-Storage for Small Businesses

Streamline your business and get a little peace of mind with self-storage for your business. The benefits will include: 

• Reduced clutter in your active workspace
• Increased productivity with more room to work efficiently
• Saved money by not having to move to a larger space
• Flexibility to scale up and down during the year and with larger units
• Easy access to stored goods with drive-up unit options
• Climate control for delicate items
• High security for valuables

Now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s look at how a small business might actually use self-storage. 

What Do Small Businesses Put in Self-Storage?

What your small business puts in self-storage depends, for the most part, on the kind of business you have. 

Certain things, such as important and sensitive documents (about employees, taxes, etc.), exist in every business. And anyone can use short-term business self-storage during a renovation or move.

Still, some industries have their own specific storage uses:

Restaurants

Obviously you can’t keep perishable food in a self-storage unit. You can, however, keep some non-perishables like canned goods on hand. Restaurants and cafes also appreciate storage for seasonal furniture and decor, as well as extra furniture and kitchen supplies. How handy is it to always have extra dishes, cookware and utensils? 

Contractors

If you work as a contractor in home improvement or design, a self-storage unit is a great alternative to maintaining your own location. Since the work you do is generally at the client’s location, you can save money by keeping your supplies and equipment at a storage facility. 

Landscaping

As a very seasonally based industry, landscaping is perfect for self-storage use. From equipment to planters to uniforms, you can keep most of your supplies in a storage unit during the off-season, whether that’s one month or half of the year. Be aware that storing live plants is not generally allowed.

Retail

Clothing, decorative items, accessories and other typical retail stock can build up, leaving you less space for actually doing business. A self-storage unit is a great solution for your boutique or gallery. If you’re going to store anything sensitive to heat and humidity (candles, makeup, art, etc.), a climate-controlled unit is a must. 

If you are in e-commerce, self-storage is an even more useful strategy, as you may work right out of your own home and have no other physical location. 

Real Estate

As a realtor or home staging professional, it’s nice to have some home goods on hand to spruce up your properties. You can do a lot with a few pieces of furniture and wall art, and a handful of high-quality fake plants can really enliven a space. 

What to Look For in a Storage Unit

The first thing to think about when you’re looking into a self-storage unit is whether or not the security meets your needs. Especially if you’re storing highly valuable items or sensitive documents, you need to know they’ll be safe, even when you’re not on site. 

Look for signs of good security, including:

• Surveillance cameras
• Good lighting
• Gated entry with pass code
• Fencing around the property
• Reliable staffing

Then, take some time to figure out which size will suit you best. We offer options as small at a 5-foot by 5-foot locker to a 10-foot by 20-foot unit. To help you determine the amount of space you need, check out our storage unit size guide. 

Running a business is challenging. Once you understand how self-storage can help small businesses run more smoothly, you can get back to focusing on doing what you love.