If owning and operating a toy storage facility is a new venture for you, it can be overwhelming. It is important to make sure you’re getting your business off the ground as seamlessly as possible. You must invest in the right tools and technology to streamline the parts of running your business that might currently be ineffective.
Software
You should weigh the pros and cons of the leading software technologies when deciding what kind of software to incorporate into your business. Although you are focused on driving sales and making the process of renting a RV or boat storage space easy for your tenants, you also want to divide your attention. You want to think about the process from the point of view of your customer and deliver an experience they won’t receive at your competitor’s facility.
Touchless
Investing in touchless technology to help manage your recreational vehicle storage facility will be your best bet in keeping on top of everything when it comes to renting out space. Some touchless tech includes keyless locks: This is software that you can download onto your phone to use as an electronic key to enter a facility or a unit. Electronic gates are a good investment, especially ones that only allow entry upon entering specific access codes.
Even though the storage industry is not a complicated business, running a storage facility without the latest technological advancements will not be impossible. However, to get that edge over your competitors, you need to take on the same business model or better than they do.
Security
Storage facilities for RVs and boats are trusted to keep customers’ large investments safe. The security measures you take as an owner are important. There are some measures you can take that are simple, while others require a bit more dedication. When thinking about security, you don’t want to make your facility a fortress, so you want to consider all of your options. Your main focus should be the tenant experience and how to improve it for security as well as convenience.
Accessibility
How easy or complicated is it to find your recreational storage facility? Keep in mind, that is only half of the accessibility issues you will face. It’s important to purchase a location that is easy to find, easy to get to, and has the space to accommodate your tenants’ boats and RVs. Depending on the facility you’ve chosen to run and how it was designed, you also want to consider accessibility within the facility itself. Not only do you need the space to store these lumbering vehicles, but you also need the extra space to maneuver them. Wider driveways are imperative, and ample space for turning a large RV around is mandatory, too.
You should also ensure that your facility is accessible to those who are limited in their mobility. The demographics of ownership of these large vehicles such as boats and RVs are people of older generations, and you want to accommodate your customer base as much as possible.
Fencing
A fully fenced-in facility is a simple detail that can go a long way to ensure effective security measures. It’s the first line of defense, and not only will it discourage ne’er do wells, but it also showcases to prospects the security measures taken.
A paved lot may seem like a no-brainer to have at a recreational vehicle facility, but it’s a simple method for elevating the storage experience. Opting for gravel will not give off the impression to your tenants that your facility is the best choice, since it’s messy, slippery, and just doesn’t look good. A slick, clean paved parking lot is a small detail that makes a huge impression.
Surveillance
Incorporating recorded video surveillance on your property will be sufficient to safeguard the property. Most security is the illusion of being monitored, which deters most criminal behavior. You do not have to have your video surveillance constantly recording, but some sort of record-keeping of significant events will be helpful for later reporting to insurance or law enforcement in case of break-ins or accidents.
There are a lot of considerations when it comes to deciding which software and security systems you want to rely on as a recreational vehicle storage facility owner and operator. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.
Learn more about all facets of marketing your facility from Steve Lucas, CEO and Managing Partner of The Storage Group, at the Toy Storage Nation Executive Workshop, June 16, in Denver/Boulder, Colorado. Steve’s presentation will answer the following questions for RV and boat storage entrepreneurs seeking great marketing strategies:
- Why RV and boat storage?
- What’s the right advertising mix for digital, print, radio and TV marketing.
- How can I maximize occupancy at my facility using digital marketing?
