Whether you’ve jumped on the tech train yet or not, there’s no denying that automation is becoming increasingly prevalent in our industry. Not only does it help self-storage owners and operators streamline operations to maximize revenue, but it’s truly transformed the tenant experience as we know it. Because of this, more and more of today’s tenants are expecting and demanding fully automated self-storage facilities. While this preference is largely driven by broader trends in technology and consumer behavior, here are the top 3 reasons we find most interesting.
Most of today’s consumers are stuck in the cycle of instant gratification. With the aid of technology, they can get what they want exactly when they want it. From ordering groceries on a mobile app to door-dashing a favorite restaurant, there isn’t much we can’t get instantaneously. In fact, last week I wanted an item, purchased it online, and it arrived at my doorstep in less than two hours. Technology has brought customer convenience and efficiency to an all-time high, and today’s self-storage tenants are here for it.
The convenience of having access to products and services at your fingertips is the new standard for today's consumers. Now that we’ve seen a glimpse of what that looks like for self-storage, there’s no going back. Traditional rental processes are becoming a thing of the past because they’re time-consuming, complicated, and often done in person. Many of today’s tenants want to rent a unit from the palm of their hand, start to finish, without ever having to talk to a site manager. This means everything has to be automated, from selecting and renting the unit, including key steps like identity verification, to moving in.
Convenience is so important to today’s tenants that they’re even willing to pay more for it. A Storelocal® case study shows that they increased rental rates by 70.32% when transforming their traditional 10x10 units into smart units because tenants prefer automation and remotely controlled devices. Consider Amazon Prime for another example, where customers are willing to pay for guaranteed 2-day shipping. Time and time again, it’s proven that customers are willing to pay more for faster service, better convenience, and higher efficiency.
Weaving automation throughout your self-storage facility can help you enhance every aspect of the tenant experience. From simplified processes to instant notifications, you can provide custom communications to your tenants based on their user behavior and preferences. When operational processes, such as overlocking delinquent units, are automated, they’ll be handled consistently and efficiently, each and every time, contributing to happier customers overall.
Tenants no longer have to wait for business hours and a site manager to handle mundane tasks like taking payments and releasing overlocked units. They can manage their own account, renew leases, and modify storage units without ever having to interact with a staff member. This gives tenants real-time control over their units and overall storage experience.
Fully automated self-storage facilities can be designed to include hefty security measures that are constantly monitored for security alerts. When a security alert is detected, automated systems can send you instant notifications and perform tasks to mitigate the threat. Not only will this help manage vulnerabilities, but it will support your site staying in compliance with security policies and regulations.
A secure facility is critical for today's self-storage tenants. With automated self-storage, the risk of human error is greatly reduced and tenants feel safer storing their valuables at your facility. Online portals can allow tenants to see their account details, payment history, and so much more in real time. The more transparency you provide your customers, the safer they’ll feel and the happier they’ll be.
It’s clear that technology and automation are important to today’s self-storage tenants for a variety of reasons. Thankfully, technology doesn’t just benefit the consumer. Read this article to learn how you can use technology to save money and drive revenue.
Ready to automate, secure, and grow your self-storage business? Schedule a demo today!