One of the toughest parts about running a business, self storage or otherwise, is deciding how to spend your advertising dollars. Do you want to go with commercials that only people who happen to be watching will see or a billboard that only folks will see that happen to drive by?
Billboards, commercials, and other forms of traditional advertising are great, but there is always a chance of spending a lot of money without getting much of a return. While that chance may be something that larger companies are okay with, smaller ones may have a harder time fitting that into their budgets.
That is where the World Wide Web comes in hand. Thanks to the internet, companies are able to get their name out to the buying public in a variety of different ways. The self storage industry has been taking full advantage of the internet in order to do just that.
It is rare for companies these days not to have a web page. For some it may be just a picture of the business and some contact information, but others do much, much more.
Stoway Mini Storage, a self storage facility in Palo Alto, California, re-launched their website to include some new features. Starting September 1, tenants were able to pay their rent online as well as manage their account.
"In an effort to save our customers valuable time, we have upgraded our accounting software and our website to allow many new convenient payment options all from the comfort of their own home," said Gary Baker of Stoway Mini Storage. “…To help new customers with their tight budgets, we do not charge administrative move-in fees like our competitors do."
A-1 Self Storage has recently upgraded the experience for visitors to their website as well. To assist people who are interested in any auctions that may be taking place at an A-1 Self Storage facility they now have a complete schedule of them available online.
“Our goal is to provide self storage auction information in a quick and easy to use format for auction hunters,” said Brian Caster, President and CEO of A-1 Self Storage. “This website enhancement allows us to do just that…”
Since more and more people tend to look to the internet to find things, different websites have been created for the sole purpose of helping connect people with a self storage facility. USStorageSearch.com is a directory for self storage facilities and currently covers 97 percent of the United States. Others are a little more specialized. One by One Storage acts as a directory for self storage facilities in the San Diego are while ChicagoLandSelfStorage.com does the same for the Chicago area.
Sources Used:
“A-1 Self Storage Offers a More Comprehensive Self Storage Auction Schedule.” A-1 Self Storage.com; 11 November 2011.
“Palo Alto Self-Storage, Stoway Mini Storage Based in Mountain View Announces Launch of Their New Website.” SFGate.com; 11 November 2011.
“Online Self Storage Directories Starting to Specialize.” Self Storage Industry News; 10 November 2011.