The Future of Self Storage:
Embracing Technology and Innovation for a Seamless Customer Experience

by Henry Purchase, Storeganise

Technology is quickly becoming a key player in self-storage industry growth. Learn how to implement innovative tech to help your business stay ahead of the competition.

Self storage is an industry that’s been rapidly evolving over the years. Technological advancements have recently become integral to the entire self-storage experience. For example, in Texas and other states, self-storage facilities are embracing new technology, such as management software, automated security systems, AI assistants and more.

Let’s look at the future of self storage while touching on how critical self-storage features like automated access control, real-time monitoring tools, etc., can help transform the customer experience.

The Future of Self Storage in Texas

Self storage continues to boom in Texas, with more than 5,000 facilities across the state. The industry has seen significant technological advancements in recent years, with facilities incorporating automated access control systems, cloud-based analytics, real-time monitoring tools and other innovations to enhance the customer experience and increase operational efficiency.

One of the biggest trends in self storage is adopting sustainable and eco-friendly solutions, which are increasingly popular with environmentally conscious customers. For example, some facilities are implementing solar panels, energy-efficient lighting and water conservation practices to reduce their carbon footprint.

According to a report by the Self Storage Association, the demand for self-storage facilities in the US is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. This trend is driven by factors such as urbanization and the evolution of e-commerce, among other things.

In Texas, the self-storage industry also benefits from the state’s strong economy and population growth. As more people move to the Lone Star State, the demand for self storage will increase. According to the US Census Bureau, “Texas is one of the fastest-growing states in the US, with a population increase of over 10.5% between July 2020 and 2021 in Georgetown alone.”

In summary, the future of self-storage businesses in Texas looks bright, with the industry benefitting from technological advancements, sustainable solutions and a growing demand for storage space driven by population growth and urbanization.

Strategies to Reach More Customers

As a Texan self-storage business, you should understand that the Lone Star State is one of the most promising markets in the US. However, it’s essential to ensure you are providing a seamless and efficient experience in order to stand out. You can achieve this through the strategic use of technology, such as utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, investing in modern security systems and offering customer-friendly services like online booking.

Investing in a comprehensive management software solution is also critical. With many companies offering a comprehensive suite of tools dedicated to the self-storage industry—including inspection management and automated billing—you can offer customers an efficient service with minimal effort (and some companies, such as Storeganise, offer a low-cost option). Customers can easily manage their rental agreements online, so their rental experience is worry-free from start to finish.

Making the Best of Digital Marketing

The digital landscape is ever-changing. Just look at the way you consume marketing content on a day-to-day basis—this undoubtedly impacts the self-storage industry. So, using the right digital marketing strategies allows you to stay ahead of the competition and provide an effortless customer experience through the use of technology.

How can you achieve this?

1. Understanding the Market
A knowledge of your target market is essential in any digital marketing strategy.

Who are your customers and what do they need? Are they local Texans, or do you have customers from all over the US?

Knowing who your customers are and breaking down demographics such as age and location will help you craft messages that will reach your target market/s.

Pro tip: Use built-in social media and website analytics to understand who is already visiting your website and social channels. This is a great place to start.

2. Integrating Technology
Digital marketing and technology go together like peanut butter and jelly. Customers now expect to be able to interact with businesses, book services and manage accounts online—and some younger generations expect to be able to do so from their mobile devices.

A comprehensive solution can help you streamline your self-storage marketing efforts and make it easier for customers to use your services. Everything can be managed remotely through a single platform—from bookings and payments to tracking inventory. That way, customers don’t have to juggle multiple systems or remember passwords for multiple accounts.

On top of this, you can introduce website plugins into your site to further boost your reach, which can both be helpful for SEO and understanding your market (as explained above).

3. Email and Social Media Strategies
Social media is still crucial for digital marketing success in 2023, but email is no less potent as a communication tool between a business and its customers.

With the number of active email users is forecast to reach 4.6 billion in 2025 (source), while this “traditional” marketing strategy might be overlooked by many self-storage businesses, the new emerging technology in the space might generate a higher ROI (return on investment) than you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the self-storage industry still growing?

Yes, the self-storage industry is growing. As of 2023, the industry has expanded to encompass over 1.7 billion square feet of space. Within five years, 253 million square feet of storage space has been constructed, representing approximately 15.3% of the total inventory (source).

Is self storage still a good investment?
Self storage is still a good investment due to its relative resistance to recession cycles. People often require storage units when relocating to new homes or apartments, which creates a consistent demand for these services regardless of economic conditions. Additionally, Americans tend to purchase new homes during economic upswings, further supporting the profitability of self-storage businesses.

Does self storage provide passive income?
Owning a self-storage facility can be a viable option for generating (near) passive income while working full-time with the right technology and team.

As an owner, you can delegate most of the day-to-day management responsibilities to a third-party management company, making it a relatively hands-off investment. Or you can try your hand at remote management depending on your local market. By charging monthly rental fees to tenants, you can earn a consistent stream of passive income without having to participate actively in the business daily.

Conclusion

To remain competitive, self-storage businesses in Texas must embrace technology and innovation to meet the needs of modern customers. Storeganise offers a comprehensive software solution that enables operators to offer a seamless and stress-free storage experience while prioritizing the safety and security of customers’ belongings. Suffice it to say, implementing such innovative technology can modernize your operations and ensure customer satisfaction.

Read More Blog Posts »