The Importance of Local SEO for Self Storage Operations
Simply put, local search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of ensuring that your self-storage facility’s “web footprint” is fresh, consistent and accurate. This footprint is not limited to your site; it also includes your Google Business Profile (GBP) and dozens of business listings found on sites like Bing, MapQuest, Yahoo and others.
If you want to draw more online attention to your self storage business, local SEO is essential. Following are some guides to help you master it.
Manage Your Web Footprint
When your self-storage facility’s web footprint is well managed, you’ll show up in Google search results. This includes Google Maps, the knowledge panel in the right column, and the coveted Local Pack, which is Google’s group of three local business listings. More visibility generally means more traffic, inquiries and leads. This increase can even be quantified depending on the platform. For example, GBP will display “insight” data, including search and map impressions, phone calls, website visits, and more.
When you are not actively managing your web footprint, you may have much less visibility in search results, possibly being relegated to the second or third page in your geographic target radius (including “storage near me” searches). When this happens, it is often due to inconsistent data, a problem that tends to be compounded with older self-storage facilities. This bad data becomes persistent and detrimental to your overall internet presence. Ultimately, not actively managing your local SEO will leave your business at the whim of Google and any number of data aggregators.
Address Data Inconsistency
Data inconsistencies occur when the signals Google receives about your self-storage business from around the web don’t match up. For example, you may have an old phone number on Facebook, or perhaps your office hours are inaccurate on your GBP. Maybe you’ve rebranded, but the old brand is scattered across dozens of business listings. In fact, rebranding can wreak havoc on a company’s web footprint. It’s not uncommon for a new listing on a platform like Yelp to compete directly with an old listing that lists your previous name and phone number.
Data inconsistency is a significant problem from a local SEO point of view. First, you will have less visibility in search results because Google cannot verify your data. When you show up in the search, the information may be incorrect, confusing your self-storage options. Something like the wrong phone number or wrong office hours can lead to a bad user experience, making a bad first impression and maybe losing business.
So how do you fix it? Let’s say Martha’s Self Storage is acquired by Local Guys Storage. The facility has been renamed and gets a new phone number; however, after 30 years in business, the original is still listed on hundreds of websites. How do local guys claim and update these listings? This is generally done in the following ways.
Get platform information from the seller. A well-managed self-storage facility has well-managed data. During the takeover, all logins must be conveyed at the end of the agreement, including those to Facebook, Google, Yelp and so on. The seller may even have information about one or more location management platforms such as Brightlocal or Yext.
Use a location management platform. This acts as a one-stop shop where catalog listings are already claimed and fresh information can be pushed out at the touch of a key. These platforms also have support in place to help claim more difficult listings and may have the ability to suppress older listings for businesses that are no longer in business.
Reach for phone books. Plan for hours of frustration, lack of response and burdensome requirements such as uploading business and personal documentation. They may also require registration and even payment to manage your listing. Keep in mind that directories are pretty good at gathering data, so they can build millions of pages that can appear in organic search results. They are less nimble and interested in updating and providing direct access to data.
Get More Customer Reviews
Part of actively managing your local SEO efforts is collecting customer reviews. Visibility in search results tends to be enhanced by a constant stream of them. Hopefully, your self-storage facility receives five-star reviews with only occasional deviations.
You should have a process to engage your customers at the right time and direct them to a web page to review your facility. Where reviews appear is also part of the craft. For most facilities, leading with Google and then weaving in feedback from other websites like Yelp, selfstorage.com and sparefoot.com can produce the right signals to Google, resulting in higher visibility. To get more reviews on Google, simply provide your customers with the link generated by the platform. Just log into your GBP account and click “share report form.”
Any planning to improve the frequency and quality of reviews should include budgeting time to respond to each one you receive. Google is aware of these responses. Your prospects will also see how you react when presented with an unhappy customer. Ideally, it should be with empathy and a demand to do things right.
The Bottom Line
So why is local SEO so important for self-storage facilities? The obvious answer is that ranking in Google search produces leads, phone calls and customers. Ignoring your web footprint compromises your visibility like a palm tree planted right in front of your street sign.
Whether you’re budgeting time and money for a do-it-yourself approach or working with an internet marketing agency that understands your needs, actively managing your self-storage web footprint is essential. Focusing on good data and positive reviews will have huge benefits. They can also be supplemented with other SEO tactics such as content development and purchasing backlinks. You can take comfort in knowing that while it’s a basic cost of doing business, managing local SEO properly will likely yield a positive return on investment and overall business success.
Tyler Suchman is the founder of The Storage Agency, a web marketing agency focused solely on serving self-storage owners and operators with unmatched performance and pricing. Storage Agency is run by Tribal Core, a boutique agency Suchman founded in 2002. To reach him, email [email protected].
What are 4 main types of secondary storage?
magnetic storage devices such as hard drives and tapes. optical storage devices such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. solid state storage devices, such as solid state drives (SSDs) and USB memory sticks….Optical devices
- Read-only (ROM) media have data prewritten on them. …
- Recordable (R) media is empty.
What are types of secondary storage? There are three types of secondary storage that you should be familiar with: Magnetic (hard) disk. Solid-state disk. Optical disc.
What are 4 secondary storage devices?
Typical secondary storage devices include magnetic tape drives, magnetic disk drives, compact optical disk drives, and archival storage devices such as disc jukeboxes.
Why is self-storage so popular?
Customers store more than just their cars. RVs, motorcycles, and boats can all be found at self-storage facilities during the off-season. Most people don’t have a large enough driveway or garage to store their toys, so storage units are often one of the more affordable storage options.
Is investing in self-storage a good investment? Self-storage properties are also one of the cheapest real estate investments, as they are typically cheap to build and operate. As a result, they tend to have relatively low break-even rates for occupancy. These factors enable self-storage investments to generate high margins and ROI.
Why is self-storage A good investment?
Less overhead: self-storage investments generally involve no plumbing, minimal electricity, minimal insulation and less vigilant management. Many facilities do not even include heating or air conditioning. Operating costs and complexity tend to be much less than other real estate sectors.
Is self-storage a good investment for 2022?
Marcus & Millichap’s 2022 forecast sees self-storage vacancies rising year-on-year for the first time since the start of the pandemic to hit 7.25%, up 60 basis points year over year.
Why self-storage is a good real estate investment?
Self Storage facility operating costs are low compared to other real estate investments. Generally, depending on size, operating costs are $3.00/sq ft, which includes all operating expenses, including taxes, utilities and management fees. This is for an average size of 45,000-50,000 sq./ft.
Are self-storage A Good investment?
Through our analysis, we believe that the appeal of investing in self-storage remains largely the same: Self-storage companies tend to perform well in good times and, if managed well, show remarkable durability in tough times .
Why is self-storage booming?
The self-storage industry is experiencing rapid growth as a result of the pandemic, spurring more people to reorganize their homes, find extra space when working from home, and move to the suburbs or move in with more family members.
Is self-storage a growing industry?
The global self-storage market reached a value of USD 51.32 billion in 2021. Going forward, the publisher expects the market to reach a value of USD 71.37 billion in 2027, showing a CAGR of 5.65% during 2021-2027.
Is the self-storage industry growing?
The Self Storage market size was valued at USD 54067.32 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.53% during the forecast period, reaching USD 83572.52 million in 2027.
How big is the self-storage industry?
| Annual turnover | 39.5 billion dollars | details |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage of households that rent | 9.4% | details |
| Total rentable square meters | 1.709 billion sq. feet | details |
| Average inventory unit price | $88.85/month | details |
| Average rental duration | 14 months | details |
Is self-storage a good investment for 2022?
Marcus & Millichap’s 2022 forecast sees self-storage vacancies rising year-on-year for the first time since the start of the pandemic to hit 7.25%, up 60 basis points year over year.
Why is self-storage booming?
The self-storage industry is experiencing rapid growth as a result of the pandemic, spurring more people to reorganize their homes, find extra space when working from home, and move to the suburbs or move in with more family members.
Why is self-storage on the Rise?
The demand for self storage in the US has been increasing due to the increase in people moving. According to the US Census, about 40 million people move each year as a result of lifestyle changes, such as marriage, divorce, retirement, expanding families, etc.
Why is self-storage in demand?
Generational shifts are also informing the growth of the self-storage industry. As Baby Boomers leave the workforce permanently, they will navigate a fixed-income lifestyle against rapidly increasing housing costs. Rising cost of living will drive up demand for storage as more and more retirees choose to downsize.
Is self-storage a good investment for 2022?
Marcus & Millichap’s 2022 forecast sees self-storage vacancies rising year-on-year for the first time since the start of the pandemic to hit 7.25%, up 60 basis points year over year.
Is the self-storage industry growing?
The Self Storage market size was valued at USD 54067.32 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.53% during the forecast period, reaching USD 83572.52 million in 2027.
Can you technically live in a storage unit?
Can you live in a storage unit? No. Living in a storage unit is prohibited by various local and federal housing laws. Storage facilities must evict any person they find living on the premises to comply with the law and most insurance policies.
Is it possible to sleep in a storage unit? In short, don’t live in your storage unit. Oh, maybe you’ve seen a video of someone doing it or heard about it? Do not. It is generally against the law and certainly not safe.
Can you live in a storage unit in the US?
First of all, the law prohibits people from living in storage units. This includes laws at both the local and federal levels that require storage facilities to evict anyone who tries to live in their units. Any law abiding storage facility makes its tenants sign a contract that includes the inability to live in their units.
Can you sleep in a storage unit?
The answer is NO; you cannot sleep in a self-storage facility. People think there are houses or apartments in there, and there aren’t. You cannot sleep in self-storage units. Not only is it a fire hazard, but it is also an illegal practice.
Why can’t people live in storage units?
Extreme temperatures and lack of fresh air do not make for a suitable home. Another biggie is legal liability. Living in a storage unit violates your terms of use; living with children can lead to charges. Storage units are not considered habitable.
Can you technically live in a storage unit?
No. Living in a storage unit is prohibited by various local and federal housing laws. Storage facilities must evict any person they find living on the premises to comply with the law and most insurance policies.
How can you live in a storage unit without getting caught?
Dummy Lock As a storage unit is not intended to be lived in, it does not come standard with a door that locks from the inside. To solve that problem, and to avoid curious passers-by, 007craft put a decoy magnetized lock on the outside of the door and a functional lock on the inside.
Has anyone ever lived in a storage unit?
Living in a storage unit is neither safe nor legal, but it occurs for a variety of reasons. According to a SpareFoot survey of nonprofits that help the homeless, that’s unusual but not unheard of. If you are caught living in a storage unit, you will most likely be kicked out immediately.
Can you work out of a storage unit?
But remember, unless you’re renting an office, retail or commercial space specifically, you’re not allowed to work or conduct business inside a storage unit. Units not permitted for residential and business activity are usually limited to storage and order fulfillment only.
What was the most money ever found in a storage unit?
$7.5 million in cold hard cash The most valuable find at Storage Wars was a cache of cash: $7.5 million hidden in a locked safe. The winning buyer of the safe found the safe inside after the auction and took it to a locksmith.
What happens if you sleep in a storage unit?
Living in a storage unit is prohibited by various local and federal housing laws. Storage facilities must evict any person they find living on the premises to comply with the law and most insurance policies. There are good reasons why this restriction is in place. First, living in a storage unit is unsafe.
Can you sleep in a storage unit in Florida?
No, you cannot sleep in a storage unit. Storage units do not qualify as habitable living spaces because they do not have a bathroom or other necessary amenities to maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.
What should you not leave in a storage unit?
Storage units typically prohibit you from storing perishable items such as meat, fish, cheese, and eggs. Avoid placing illegal, dangerous or perishable items in a storage unit. Storage facilities also have rules against things like plants and animals.
Why can’t you sleep in a storage unit?
It is not safe to sleep in your self storage unit. They also didn’t have to worry about someone disturbing or stealing their things. But if the unit’s door gets stuck while you’re inside, you could be in great danger. For example, if there was a fire or other unexpected emergency.
Can you use a storage unit as a man cave?
Yes, man cave storage units are a thing now. Men across the country are using self-storage spaces to create their home away from home. And we don’t blame them. Man cave storage units can free up space in your house and also act as an offsite sanctuary.
Why is it called self-storage?
Self-storage is short for âself-service storageâ. Then you move your own things to the unit. Because you are responsible for taking care of this step, this storage method is known as “self-service storage”, hence the abbreviated term “self-storage”.
Who Invented Self Storage? In the 1850s, the first warehouse specifically designed to store personal and household items was built. The concept of self storage first arrived in the United States in 1891, when brothers Martin and John Bekins founded Bekin Van Lines in Omaha, Nebraska.
What’s the difference between warehouse and self-storage?
Warehouses are usually located near transport hubs so that goods can be quickly shipped out. On the other hand, storage units are typically found in residential areas, making them easily accessible to customers.
What is difference between warehouse and store?
The warehouse will be outside the industry, may be a distribution channel or in another city to help customers get products delivered quickly. Stores are internal facility to assist in manufacturing activities such as inbound and in some cases outbound also stored in stores. Stores always indicate the place of storage of raw materials.
Is warehouse a storage facility?
Warehousing is the process of storing physical goods or inventory in a warehouse or storage facility before they are sold or distributed.
What is the difference between storage and self-storage?
Self-storage units vary in size, convenience and purpose, and can be either drive-up or climate-controlled spaces. Unlike full service storage, self storage gives you full control over your personal belongings.
What is the difference between storage and self-storage?
Self-storage units vary in size, convenience and purpose, and can be either drive-up or climate-controlled spaces. Unlike full service storage, self storage gives you full control over your personal belongings.
Is it worth it to put stuff in storage?
A storage unit can save you money if you have trouble fitting into your space. Consider whether using a storage unit to store less frequently used items would cost less than upgrading to a larger home or apartment.
What’s the opposite of self-storage?
Full service storage is the opposite of self storage. With self storage, the customer drives their belongings to the storage unit, the customer loads the unit, locks the unit, and often has unlimited access to the unit.
What is meant by self-storage?
Self storage (short for “self-service storage” and also known as “unit storage”) is an industry that rents storage space (such as rooms, closets, containers and/or outdoor spaces), also known as “storage”. units,” to tenants, usually on a short-term basis (often month-to-month).
What is meant by self-storage?
Self storage (short for “self-service storage” and also known as “unit storage”) is an industry that rents storage space (such as rooms, closets, containers and/or outdoor spaces), also known as “storage”. units,” to tenants, usually on a short-term basis (often month-to-month).
