In the United States, 1 in 5 Americans are using self-storage, according to Sparefoot.com. It can be tempting to rely on the public’s need for storage to maintain the demand for it. Free marketing tools are available today that can increase occupancy and raise awareness about why one self-storage is superior to another. Leaving free marketing tools on the table is unwise.
To begin this discussion, it is assumed that a self-storage business owns an updated and maintained website that is search engine optimized and allows customers to search current units available. Additionally, it’s assumed that reservations can be made online. A website is essential today in the self-storage industry, but it’s also not free. That’s the reason for exclusion.
Let’s look at 5 smart and free ways to advertise a self-storage business that can be done today.
5 Ways to Advertise a Self-Storage Business for Free
- Create a Google business profile and update 3x per week.
- Create a Facebook page for your business and post daily.
- Create an Instagram account for your business and post daily.
- Ask customers for reviews online.
- Focus on SEO for your website.
Create a Google business profile and update 3x per week.
A Google business profile is a business indexing tool connecting customers with information online regarding a specific business.. When potential customers search for a business online, those with a business profile will be displayed on the right side of the screen next to the search results. Your business profile should include all relevant information about your business. Complete all fields with business-specific information. The more information included, the better works alongside your website to improve SEO. Google business profiles can showcase photos, PDF documents and pricing information. Information can be updated easily and often to be sure that what customers find is current. Once a business has a GBP, clients can leave a review for the business easily.
Add an update 3 times per week. Updates include photos or videos about a business. For example, use images of a self-storage unit available to rent today and share 2-3 sentences about that unit. Include a call to action using the pre-populated buttons.
The Google algorithm uses these updates with information from your website to optimize SEO.
Create a Facebook page for your business and post daily.
Facebook is a free tool that should be used by every business – just like a Google Business Profile. Future customers today are looking online exclusively to find a solution that meets their needs. They will search on Google and Facebook.
Posting does not need to be stressful or complex. Posts are a way to connect with customers and showcase what sets your business apart from others. There are social media management companies that post on your behalf. These companies create posts for your business.
Posts can be simple. Start with facts and information about your business. Post your hours when customers inquire about self-storage. Post your hours when customers can sign a lease agreement (hint: if the lease process is online, this is 24/7!). Post information that is helpful to future customers or current ones. “Did you know you cannot store XYZ?” Then provide information on why certain items cannot be stored. Does your business offer other services? Create a post informing customers of information like, “We sell packing supplies!” There are many ways to post helpful information online and demonstrate your expertise as a self-storage business owner.
Facebook business profiles should also provide complete information like phone numbers, addresses, websites, hours of operation, and anything else that would be helpful to customers.
Create an Instagram account for your business and post daily.
Instagram is also a free tool that should be used by every business. Future customers today are looking online exclusively to find a business that meets their needs. They will search on Google, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more about doing business with someone.
Instagram is a great place to showcase your business. To simplify, you can simply cross-post whatever was posted on Facebook to Instagram. This is a great way to start posting while you are figuring out content and a schedule to post.
Instagram is also a place where people go for tips, tricks and ideas. This would be an excellent place to show how to organize a self-storage unit for maximizing space usage. Instagram users love 15-30-second videos on the organization. While videos are not required, they do generate new followers. When you get tired of single-image posts, try out a video.
Ask customers for reviews online.
How important are reviews? According to Dixa, “93% of customers will read online reviews before making a purchase.” (source)
Ask for reviews. Ask for reviews in person, on Facebook and Instagram, and in every email contact with customers. Reviews matter. With Google reviews, it’s also easy to quickly reply to every review – even the negative ones. Replying to reviews is also important.
Focus on SEO for your website.
Your website should be optimized for SEO. SEO is search engine optimization. SEO uses keywords in your website that make it easy for search engines to find your website and increase your rankings on search results. The more, high-ranking keywords you use, the better your ranking will be with search engine results.
A Google Business Profile also works with the keywords on your website to improve SEO. The Google Business Profile is a crucial step that many businesses skip or don’t even know how to use.
Get started.
These 5 free steps to market your business online can have a huge impact. Start today and work on each step. The daily maintenance on these items is minimal. These tasks could easily be completed in 30 minutes or less.
Coastal Storage is the Argus Self-Storage Network Affiliate for the states of Florida and Georgia. We work with clients in locating new businesses to acquire and in building new facilities. We also work with clients as consultants on best business practices. Call us today at 904-591-0140 to work with our team of self-storage experts.