Self Storage Facility
March 15, 2010 - Know what are the expectations of self storage customers from a storage facility? Fulfill the requirements of customers and expand your business.
Customer retention is always a basic requirement for all businesses and not only for self storage industry. However, the owner of a self storage facility might have to build the customer retention strategy in a different way because unlike other businesses where people come to buy products, in a self storage facility, the customers keep their goods to be looked after well by the storage facility owner and management for the agreed time period. As such, there are certain expectations of the customers of self storage facilities. Knowing these expectations and providing the required services is the key to customer retention strategy of all self storage units.
Security of Self Storage Facility
The primary concern of any customer of a self storage facility is the safety of his goods stored in the self storage unit. A renter will hire self storage units only when s/he is assured about the tight security of the self storage facility. As such, all types of threats to the stored items such as humidity, high temperature, burglary, fire, insects or any kind of natural disaster must be taken care of by the storage facility owner. However, how far the self storage units are going to provide these security services depends upon the type and charges of the storage facility. For example, if any self storage facility owner cannot invest much on controlling climate within the storage facility, he should not entertain the customers having requirement of
climate controlled self storage. If he allows expensive and valuable items to be stored in his regular storage facility, this may lead to destruction of such items. As a consequence, his market reputation, which is more than essential in any business, can get damaged. Nonetheless, following basic security and safety should always be there in a self storage facility for customer retention as well as for acquiring new customers
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Facility of adding an extra padlock by customer to assure a double protection for the goods.
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Fire alarm or smoke detector should be installed inside the self storage units. A CCTV connection and/or burglar alarms should also be installed to help the security personnel. The employees of the self storage facilities should take an immediate step to prevent any untoward situation.
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Proper fencing should be done around the building to inhibit entry by any unauthorized person. The entire building should have only one entry point (better if its is controlled by computerized gate). Sufficient security staff to guard the self storage units should be appointed.
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Proper illumination should be provided within the storage facility to avoid any illegal activity within the construction.
Location and Accessibility of Self Storage Facility
Location and accessibility of self storage facilities are very significant issues for a customer. Not all customers will go away to other towns and countries after storing their items in the self storage units. There are many people who want space at their homes or offices and as such keep their things in a self storage to be taken out when required. Others might avail the self storage facility during home renovation or office reconstruction etc. They might also need to come off and on to fetch their goods from the self storage units. As such, a self storage facility that is located at a place that is well connected with public transport is ideal for those storage units that have a wider customer base from locality itself ( and not those who relocate to other places). If someone is setting up a self storage facility anew, s/he might always look for such places that have good accessibility from most of the points in the city. Also, the location of the self storage facilities should be safe from flood water, cyclone or any natural disasters.
Reasonable Cost for Self Storage Facility
Cost for hiring self storage facilities is the most crucial factor for the customers. However, the self storage owner can not give very cheap services taking in consideration the cost of building, equipment and staff of self storage units. However, the costs should be competitive with the other self storage facilities. If a self storage facility owner decides to keep the prices somewhat higher than his competitions than it should provide extra attractions in form of added facilities or discounts. For example, long term storing agreements can be given certain discounts on the net price. Special deals can also be provided to the customers for moving their goods to the storage units. If a customer hires more than one self storage unit, some kind of discount can be offered to him/her.
Membership of Self Storage Associations
Most of the reputed self storage associations give membership to self storage facilities only after verifying them. As such, many customers think it right to hire only those self storage facilities that have membership of reputed associations. Self storage units that desire to acquire new customers or want their trusted customers to be with them (and not go to other self storage facilities with membership of certain storage associations) must work upon getting membership of one or multiple self storage associations for expansion of their business.
Read the list of leading self storage associations
