In today’s competitive economy, new businesses must often operate “mean and lean.” That translates into keeping your overhead costs as low as possible. The lower your overhead and setup costs, the higher your ROI (return on investment) for each sale.
To get ahead, you have to be creative and flexible. One great way to save money for your small business is to invest in a business storage unit.
Space is expensive, and while many small businesses start at home, you may quickly find that your inventory, business equipment, and other supplies no longer fit in your garage or guest room. If this is the case, a storage unit may be the right choice for helping you grow your business without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of self-storage for small business owners and offer ideas about using a storage unit to grow your business successfully.
Cost Savings
If your business is outgrowing your home, garage, or current office, that doesn’t mean you need to move to a new space. Renting or buying a retail space or moving into a larger space can significantly increase your overhead expense. Instead, you can stay where you are and rent a business storage unit for your excess inventory or supplies. Business storage is usually much cheaper than renting an office or retail space.
More Room
You may want to keep your inventory on hand, but filling your garage or guest bedroom with boxes can soon become frustrating for you and your family members. That guest room is no longer usable when friends or family visit, and your partner might not appreciate having to park in the driveway or on the street.
Even if you have a business office, you may find that equipment or inventory takes up valuable room. Do you have boxes filling your conference room or equipment stacked up in space that could be used for offices?
Investing in business storage for excess supplies or inventory will allow you to use your existing workspace more efficiently, making your work experience more pleasant and improving productivity. Also, your employees and/or family will thank you!
Better Organization and Visibility
If your business space is too small, things can quickly become crowded and disorderly. Wading through stacks of boxes or supplies to find what you’re looking for could waste a lot of time. An unorganized office space also leads to mistakes and losing or misplacing important things.
A storage unit for your small business is an excellent way to organize the things you don’t use regularly. Most storage companies let you add free-standing shelves so you can store things in a way that allows you to find them easily.
How To Use Business Storage
If you need more space for your business and you’ve decided that a storage unit is a great way to save on overhead costs, here are a couple of suggestions for using it most efficiently:
Store Excess Inventory
If you’re not yet ready to hand over your inventory to a fulfillment center (which can cut into your profit margins), a storage unit is a good alternative. Keep minimal inventory at your home office or retail space and store excess inventory in a storage unit. Use shelving, labeling, and a good record-keeping system to keep your inventory well organized.
(Learn more about inventory storage tips for your business.)
Store Business Equipment
Do you use specialized tools or equipment as part of your business? Large equipment or a significant number of tools can take up a lot of space, especially if you work out of your home. A storage unit is a great place to keep your equipment secure and out of the way between jobs.
Store Marketing Materials
Do you attend a lot of trade shows? Booths, tables, signage, brochures, and decor can all take up a lot of space. So can seasonal displays, promotional products, and product samples. Instead of squeezing those things into your garage or the small closet in your office, put them into storage.
Rent Business Storage Units at Price Self Storage
Successful small businesses know how to grow efficiently. For you, that may mean taking advantage of the benefits of self-storage until you’re ready to rent or buy a bigger space or use a fulfillment service. Price Self Storage is here to help.
Our storage facilities throughout California are usually near major highways for quick and easy access. Choose from a range of unit sizes to fit your needs, and enjoy a month-to-month contract so you can upgrade or downsize as your business needs change.
Find your nearest Price Self Storage today.
