Most of us probably associate the use of storage units with personal use—the need for extra space for keeping belongings like collectibles, keepsakes, personal records, clothing and off-season sporting gear. But strategic storage can also come in handy for businesses. Offices, warehouses and other types of commercial facilities can run out of space just like residences do.
For example, home-service businesses usually require ample storage to handle parts, materials, equipment or vehicles. This could include contractors and subcontractors, lawn-care providers and HVAC businesses. Brick-and-mortar retailers like clothing boutiques, electronics specialty stores and office-equipment companies can store offsite to help maintain a clean, uncluttered shopping area while also managing their inventory.
Realtors and home-staging businesses can utilize storage facilities for items like yard signs, information displays, furniture and other home accessories. Finally, e-commerce businesses, especially ones that operate out of a residence, can benefit from having ample storage of product or inventory in a secondary location.
There are several specific ways that business owners can benefit from offsite storage options.
Self-storage is one tool that the business owner can use to manage overflow documents, production inventory, extra office supplies or even small equipment. For larger needs, some businesses might want to consider leasing warehouse space. This can come in handy for larger volumes of product inventory or even larger equipment. Warehouses can usually accommodate bigger needs and even allow room for growth.
Some storage facilities lease office space, which can be useful for businesses that have outgrown their current offices but aren’t in a position to relocate or build a new facility. Short-term leasing can provide that needed space, and in some cases, a rented space might come equipped with Internet service or phone lines.
For businesses that utilize delivery or service vehicles, storage facilities can be a handy way to park and protect cars, vans, trucks and other vehicles when they’re not in use.
Such options offer a lot of advantage for business owners. They can save money when compared to leasing or purchasing additional office space. Offsite storage can actually provide a strategic advantage geographically for businesses that service different areas of a town. Storage is also a flexible solution that lets the owner adapt to the changing business and economic climate. Monthly rental agreements can allow decision makers to be nimble when reacting to changes in circumstances.
Of course, as with any storage-rental situation, look for features like 24-hour access, drive-up access, spacious aisles and secure storage.