For the month of July 2009, in our weekly blogs, we will look at the mini storage business and offer information and tips along with helpful links to more in depth information about the topics.
If you are in the market to buy, or have already bought a mini storage building, you are already thinking about how you can manage it and how your can market it. In addition to management and marketing tips, you need sound strategies and advice on the owning and operating of your mini-storage, and you can find both at the Self Storage Association Web site.
The planned topics will cover the following:
- Week 1: Your Mini Storage Building: Buying tips
- Week 2: Your Mini Storage Building: Marketing tips for new owners
- Week 3: Your Mini Storage Building: Leveraging tips for existing owners
- Week 4: Your Mini Storage Building: Costly mistakes and budget tips
Your Mini Storage Building: Buying tips
In considering buying a mini storage building in Canada or the US, you need to ensure that you have thought through and planned for a multitude of details, each as important as the next:
Location
You want to ensure that you have researched areas for their zoning laws to ensure that your building is allowed. Determined the proximity to your target market – if your prospective customers have to drive by a multitude of other storage buildings on the way out to your ‘s because you decided its location on price rather than demographics – that won’t bode well for them even making it all the way out to you.
Customers
You must determine exactly who and what type of customers you want to attract. The sizes and variety of storage units that must be available for their use will determine how you build and customize to suit you, and your customers needs.
Security
Although your steel mini storage building offers enhanced security against break-ins and from natural disasters, you will need to go the extra mile and install extra security such as security cameras, security guards, security fencing. Newer units even feature finger print recognition software. Whatever you choose to put into place, you need to ensure your clients are upholding the law as well as being protected by it.
Services
The quality of the customer service you offer is extremely important. Offer features such as year round climate control, 24-hour access, online billing and bill payment. Offer your customers peace of mind and ease of access, and friendly, personable customer service.
Thorough research and excellent customer service combined with a great marketing and advertising campaign will not only draw them to you; but will generate enough word of mouth and repeat business to ensure your mini storage building stays full and your business stays economically sound.

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