Category: Sponsored

This article outlines seven operational problems commonly faced by multi-site self-storage operators, pairing each with a practical solution. 1. Problem: You Don’t Have a Clear View of How Each Facility Is Performing When data lives in separate systems, or worse, spreadsheets, it’s difficult to understand what’s happening across your portfolio. Operators often discover issues such as rising delinquency, uneven occupancy, or pricing gaps too late, after revenue has already been affected. Solution: A centralized management system addresses this by consolidating contracts, billing, reservations, and unit availability into a single platform.…

You’ve heard me talk about THE Show. You’ve heard about the speakers. You’ve heard about the sessions. You’ve heard about the trade show floor, the Georgia Aquarium, the networking, the Thursday night gala, and all the changes we have made to create something different for the self-storage industry. So, I’m not going to simply repeat the same list again. Instead, I want to say this: If you have been thinking about attending THE Show, now is the time to register. From Nov. 4 to 6, the self-storage industry will come…

Selling a self-storage facility isn’t simply about putting the property online and waiting for offers. Effective marketing is about presenting the opportunity professionally, reaching qualified buyers, and creating enough exposure to generate competition. Here are several strategies owners can use when bringing a self-storage property to market. Create Professional Marketing Materials A strong marketing package should allow an investor to quickly understand the opportunity. Include professional photography, aerial images when appropriate, unit mix, occupancy, historical financial performance, property details, market information, and potential value-add opportunities. The goal is to answer…

Selling a self-storage facility involves more than placing the property on the market and waiting for offers. The work an owner completes before listing can influence buyer confidence, due diligence, negotiations, and ultimately the property’s marketability. A well-prepared facility allows buyers to quickly understand the opportunity and reduces uncertainty during the transaction. Here are six areas owners should address before bringing a self-storage property to market. 1. Address Deferred Maintenance Start by walking the property from a buyer’s perspective. Look for damaged doors, roof issues, broken gates, potholes, malfunctioning lights,…

In self-storage, location can significantly affect occupancy, rental rates, and long-term property value. A facility may be professionally managed and well maintained, but if it is difficult to access, surrounded by excessive competition, or located in an area with insufficient demand, achieving strong performance can be challenging. For investors and developers evaluating a potential self-storage site, here are several factors that deserve careful consideration. 1. Accessibility Matters Customers want storage that is convenient. A strong site should provide easy access from major roads and surrounding neighborhoods without requiring customers to…

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of the self-storage technology conversation. Software providers are introducing AI-powered analytics, pricing, customer communications, marketing automation, forecasting, and other capabilities designed to help operators run their businesses more effectively. That creates a challenge: How do you determine which AI capabilities matter most to your business? The question isn’t whether AI belongs in self-storage. It does. The better question is where should you start? For independent and smaller operators, AI should first make something they already have much more valuable: their data. Start With the…

Ask most self-storage operators about their Google Ads experience, and you’ll get one of two answers: it worked great, or it was a waste of money. Rarely is an in-between. And more often than not, the difference between those two outcomes has nothing to do with the platform or the operator’s market. Google Ads performance comes down to maintenance. Was the campaign something you launched and left once, or was it something you continuously improved? Why You Should Never Turn Google Ads Off Storage is a needs-driven purchase. Nobody browses…

Site selection has become one of the clearest drivers of self-storage performance. Well-sited facilities are outperforming their peers by 15 to 18 percent in operating metrics and reaching stabilization noticeably faster. The Three-Part Lease-Up Equation That Sets Strong Assets Apart The self-storage industry’s site selection framework has grown considerably more sophisticated since 2021 – and that today’s most successful facilities are green lighted on criteria that reflect that higher standard. Location has always mattered, and now it works best alongside other factors – internet and mobile search presence, investment in…

Maintaining consistent operations and maximizing profitability can be challenging when growing your self-storage business across multiple facilities. Relying on outdated, disconnected systems can make that growth feel like an uphill battle. Limited visibility, minimal automation, and operational bottlenecks often make it harder to expand ancillary services that boost revenue. Self-storage software by Storage Commander can make things easier. With tools to streamline daily operations, centralize oversight, and gather key data points, you’ll be able to make smart business decisions that drive growth. In this article, we’ll explore the software features that…

Not every self-storage facility requires a full-time on-site manager. For smaller properties, remotely managed facilities, or owners with multiple locations, a part-time “boots on the ground” manager can provide local oversight without the expense of a full- time position. The key is finding someone who is dependable, capable of working independently, and understands exactly what is expected of them. Here are eight steps for building an effective part-time management solution. 1. Define What You Actually Need Before posting a job opening, determine what responsibilities require someone physically at the property.…