What Makes a Dynamic Self-Storage Website

Are you a routine online shopper? Does your heart start to beat with excitement as your fingers fly over the keys in anticipation of finding the perfect pair of shoes for that special occasion or that brand new one-of-a-kind golf club that’s going to help you hit it further and straighter? As a person who shops online regularly, I get it. Unfortunately, every online experience is not fun, especially when you hit a website that is a user nightmare. I faced the nightmare scenario recently. After locating and selecting the perfect shirt, at a great price, I spent so much time trying to place an order that I gave up and moved on to another site. With so many selections and user friendly options, the chances of my shopping on that site again are doubtful.

In today’s instant gratification world, most people, if they own a computer, are online shoppers. Even if they prefer a brick and mortar establishment, they will begin their shopping with online research. They want to educate themselves on what’s available, compare prices, and save time before they head out to their favorite mall. We all have our favorite websites. They are the ones that, unlike the nightmare mentioned above, provide us with the dream of an effortless shopping and buying experience.

The same thing holds true with self-storage. You want your website to be attractive, engaging, and compelling. Read on to understand what you need to attract potential customers and keep current customers.

Make Your Website Dynamic

Back in the day, a website was merely a vehicle for people to provide an online presence and general information. This is no longer the case. To keep your customers coming back, you need to think of your website as a whole shopping experience. Think about what you personally want to see and discover when you shop. You want your questions answered, your problems solved, and your customer service flawless. 

Provide a User-Friendly Experience

I cannot stress this enough. Your site has to be easy to navigate. Your customers don’t want to click on “Location” and go to “Tips to Get Your Boat Ready for Storage.” Your users have to be able to easily find what they are looking for. Does your search functionality allow users to move seamlessly from one page to the next? Does it take more than 2 seconds for users to locate what they’re seeking? Are you maximizing functionality above the fold?

According to Clifford Chi at HubSpot, “…above the fold content is what your visitors see when they land on your website. If it’s clear, engaging, and persuasive, it can convince them to explore the rest of your website. If it’s jumbled and uninspiring, they’ll bounce off of your website faster than they’d exit a pop-up ad.”

Help Users Easily Locate Your Facilities

If you have multiple facilities, they should be listed in an organized fashion, with a search functionality that will allow users to easily find a location. Provide users with a visual reference by using a Google map to display all locations. 

List Your Features Prominently

Each prospective tenant has different storage needs. Residential customers may simply need a place to store junk because they’re running out of garage space. Consumers with specialized antique and wine collections are more interested in climate control and state-of-the-art security. Business customers may want delivery acceptance along with printing and faxing services. It’s important to prominently display your features. 

Offer a Clear Size Guide and a Complete List of Sizes and Prices

As mentioned previously, everyone has unique storage needs. Your size guides should be clear and, if possible, interactive. This allows potential tenants to easily estimate their storage needs. Display a complete list of unit sizes and prices, and don’t forget to showcase specials and discounts. People love these guidelines as long as they’re simple and straightforward.

Provide Helpful Tips, Answers to FAQs, and Blogs

There are many individuals, of all ages, who are using storage for the first time. Providing tips and answers to FAQs is a compelling customer service tool. These pages are “customer support” without taking time away from your team. Use content that will educate people on all  self-storage particulars. Show them how to organize their unit, prepare boats and RVs for storage, and drive a U-Haul truck. They’ll appreciate the information.

Blogs are a powerful marketing tactic to get your business more online visibility. They drive traffic to your website, help to convert that traffic into leads, and establish you as an industry authority.

Include a Reservations Page

To stay competitive, adding a reservations page to your website is critical. According to Inside Self Storage, “…56 percent of online reservations occur during normal office hours, and 52 percent of customers reserving a unit online are choosing a 10 x 10 or larger. It has also been shown that when an online reservation is secured with a small credit card deposit, the move-in rate is typically 95 percent or higher.” Needless to say, you reservations page should offer an easy, seamless user experience.

Save Everyone’s Time with an Online Payment Option

Make things easy for your customers by offering online account management. Make it painless for your users to conveniently manage their accounts and pay their bills online. Accept all major credit cards as well as auto payments. 


Your website will reflect the quality of your self-storage business. The premier self-storage websites are not only a magnet for new customers but a time-saver for management staff. Potential customers have options – make sure you site is the best one!