Commercial Storage: Making Use of Storage for Your Business
A business may want to use commercial storage space for various reasons. For storage to be useful, it is beneficial for the company to devise a plan to optimize the space. Otherwise, the extra space can be inconvenient instead of enhancing your business. To learn more about optimizing commercial storage with XYZ Storage to benefit your business operations, continue reading below.
Why Would a Business Need Storage?
Like people, businesses accumulate stuff and sometimes require business storage. Below are common reasons XYZ Storage customers use commercial storage. But of course, every business is unique so there could be more reasons why companies opt for commercial self-storage units.
- Organize offices for professionalism and space
- Archive previous year’s documents
- Business relocation
- Store supplies and merchandise
- Save money on warehouses and other commercial spaces
- Startup or home business
- Seasonal storage
- Real estate staging
Why Customers Choose XYZ Storage
Before you choose a commercial storage space, it’s best to consider the needs of your business. For example, if you’re using a storage unit for long-term storage, proximity isn’t super important. However, if you are using storage to store raw materials, supplies, and merchandise, proximity is an important factor when considering which commercial storage facility to rent from.
Before selecting a unit at XYZ Storage, consider what’s important to you and your business, such as:
- Storage unit size
- Length of time
- Location
- Cost
- Climate control
- Security and surveillance
- Convenience and accessibility
If your business does more than simply store items, you might need additional services. In addition to commercial self storage units, XYZ Storage offers the following services:
How to Optimize Your Commercial Storage
Business owners and their employees are busy, it’s helpful if a commercial storage space is adequately organized, accessible, and navigable. Below are tips that XYZ Storage recommends to keep your commercial storage unit optimized and organized to ensure your business operations aren’t impaired.
Label Containers
This tip is pretty obvious, but still worth mentioning! The better-labeled containers are, the easier it will be to find something in the future. This is especially true when renting commercial self storage units.
Create an Aisle
By having an aisle, you can walk through your storage unit to easily access everything. It would help if you also faced labels towards the aisle so that you can see everything.
Use Vertical Space
Commercial self storage units often have high ceilings. For this reason, it’s favourable to store upwards instead of horizontally. Make sure to store the less important items on the bottom!
Create an Inventory List
As your business grows, you might have more employees or need more commercial self storage units. An inventory list can make it easy for you or someone else to navigate items or documents. In addition, you can create a map of the commercial storage space detailing where everything is in your unit. After all, storage becomes less optimal if you don’t know where anything is!
Important Items at the Front
The more important an item is, the closer to the front it should be. For example, if you are using your storage unit for raw materials, they should be close to the front. This way you can access them at any time. On the other hand, old documents can stay at the back.
A similar point is to always store heavy, durable items on the bottom and lighter, fragile items on the top. This will reduce damage to delicate items.
Be Square
Oddly shaped items or containers are difficult to store because they may not fit next to their counterparts. Square containers are easier to store side by side or stack.
Consider Shelving
Depending on how you intend to use your storage space, shelving might be an ideal choice. There’s no better way to keep everything organized than by using shelving!
Routinely Assess
Every once in a while, you should assess the items stored and whether you still need them. Clutter and mess build up quickly. By donating, selling, or tossing what you don’t need, you’ll keep your unit clean. Assessing what’s in your storage unit every year is a good benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Storage
If you plan on storing your business belongings or inventory in a self-storage unit, especially for the first time it can be quite overwhelming. However, here are the answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions about commercial storage.
Do Storage Units Have to Be on Commercial Property?
If you’re thinking about starting or owning a commercial self storage facility it’s best to contact your municipality to ensure you’re meeting all the requirements. This will make sure you’re following the proper procedures and obeying the legalities of operating a commercial self storage facility. There are many pros to owning commercial storage space for the community you choose to operate in, including the increased need for storage, changes in current business trends, and more. With that being said, it can be worth investing in.
Can You Have an Office in a Storage Unit?
Commercial storage units are not typically permitted for occupancy or business activities. It’s always best to research and reach out to the commercial storage facility to ask what the rules and regulations are when renting commercial self storage units. While you can’t have an office in a storage unit, select XYZ Storage facility locations offer free working spaces for entrepreneurs and business owners. The aim is to provide businesses with the accessible and convenient space they need while on the go and visiting their inventory and belongings in storage.
Your Business, Your Rules
Ultimately, every business is unique and operates on varying sets of rules. What works for you and your company may not work for someone else and that’s okay. XYZ Storage’s goal is to help businesses of all shapes, sizes, and styles. Whatever your storage needs are, XYZ Storage can help you today!
