Have you ever built a puzzle, carefully connecting each piece, only to discover a crucial one missing? That frustration, that sense of incompleteness, is what many self-storage owners experience when they invest in automation without considering the full picture. You see, just like a puzzle requires all its pieces to form a complete image, a successful automated self-storage facility needs more than just technology.
It needs clear signage to guide tenants, a compelling website to attract them, and a robust management system to streamline operations. Without these vital components, your automation investment won't reach its full potential. It's like having a powerful engine without wheels, or a beautiful symphony without an audience. To truly transform your self-storage business and reap the rewards of automation, you need a holistic strategy that encompasses all the essential elements.
Many best practices go hand-in-hand with self-storage automation, most of which are detailed below. By incorporating these top tools and tactics, you can ensure your automated self-storage facility enhances the rental experience, adds value to your staff and tenants, and stands out in a crowded and competitive market.
Best Practices for Self-Storage Automation
1. Scale Up Your Signage
When you run an automated self-storage facility, new visitors should feel comfortable and informed navigating the facility from the parking lot to their unit door without ever having to speak to a site manager. Since you know your facility like the back of your hand, the key to this process is not to think the obvious is obvious. Signage should attract new tenants, help existing ones, and bring clarity to those navigating the processes and paths throughout your facility. When scaling up your facility’s signage, make sure you’re also considering important factors such as the design, placement, and maintenance of the sign.
2. Boost Your Website
Online is one of the most popular ways people will find your business, so your website must be designed to get you found and bring you leads. It should be fast, mobile responsive, and easy to use. In addition, your website should have many captivating features for new and existing tenants. New tenants should be able to do much more than just reserve a space. They should be able to complete the entire rental process, from start to finish online, including identity verification. You can use your website to keep existing customers happy by offering amenities such as online payments, digital lease agreements, and more.
Your self-storage website should be:
- Mobile responsive
- Fast
- Easy to use
- Able to generate and track leads
Your self-storage website should offer:
- Online rentals, including ID verification
- Online payments
- Digital documents
- Up-to-date, engaging information
3. Take Operations Online
Today’s tenant wants a contactless, hassle-free experience that starts with automating the onboarding process. Tenants should be able to fully complete the rental process online, at any time of the day, and gain immediate access to the facility and their unit door. Not only does this give the tenant what they’re asking for, but it helps you streamline your operations too. From automated activity logs to automatic lock checks, overlocks, and more, taking your operations online has many advantages for your smart facility.
4. Integrate Your Property Management Software
When you integrate with your Property Management Software, your technology can communicate and update in real time. If a tenant has missed a payment, their unit will automatically overlock. As soon as they make their payment, their unit will automatically be released from overlock. All without a site manager having to go to the facility to place a yellow or red lock on the door, or come back to remove it.
5. Step-Up Video Surveillance
Tenants want to know their valuables are safe and secure, and that comes with more than just a couple of cameras scattered around the facility. Self-storage security systems are becoming increasingly important and are considered vital components of today’s leading self-storage facilities. When choosing the right video surveillance for your property, look for a Cloud-based system that can integrate and communicate with your property management software. This opens the door for instant alerts and notifications, as well as key features such as efficient past-event look-up, two-way audio, and more.
6. Take Advantage of Marketing
You've worked hard to create a truly automated self-storage masterpiece. You've implemented cutting-edge technology, streamlined your operations, and crafted a seamless rental experience. But in today's competitive self-storage landscape, that's only half the battle. Now it's time to take advantage of marketing and let your masterpiece shine.
Think of your automated facility as a high-performance car. It has all the latest technology and features, but it won't reach its full potential unless you take it out for a spin and show it off. That's where strategic marketing comes in.
By actively promoting your automated facility, you can:
- Attract more tenants: Highlight the convenience and efficiency of your automated systems to appeal to today's tech-savvy customers.
- Increase online rentals: Showcase your user-friendly website and online rental process to drive direct bookings.
- Boost revenue: Promote your premium features and services to justify higher rental rates and attract discerning tenants.
- Build brand awareness: Establish your facility as a leader in innovation and customer experience.
- Stand out from the competition: Differentiate yourself in a crowded market by showcasing your commitment to automation and customer satisfaction.
Ready to take your automated self-storage facility to the next level?
Tenant Inc. is your all-in-one self-storage ecosystem, offering everything from lightning-fast websites to industry-leading property management software. We make running your business easier and more profitable.
See how Smartlock Self-Storage transformed an abandoned Dollar General store into a self-storage portfolio of 12 thriving, fully automated, and remote-managed properties with Tenant Inc. Explore their automation journey in our in-depth case study:
