If you’re considering using business storage for your growing business, here are five tips on how you can make the most of your storage unit.
Why Do Businesses Need Self-Storage?
Self-storage can help businesses, big and small, manage inventory and keep organized. Most businesses use a storage unit to store excess supplies, store seasonal merchandise, or keep office furniture and equipment safe while not in use.
If you’re still looking for more reasons to utilize self-storage for your business, here are a few to convince you:
- Decrease clutter – stock rooms may not be the tidiest room in your business. When new inventory arrives, the space can get cluttered quickly. A separate storage unit can help you manage excess items and free up more space in the stock room for truly necessary items.
- Maximize office space – Running out of space is a part of the growing pains of a small business. It can be exciting but also stressful as you run out of space to accommodate your inventory and supplies. Using self-storage can allow your business to grow by providing new space to conduct business.
- Enhance safety and security – no matter what type of business you have, there are items you want to keep safe from theft and damage. With a storage unit, you’ll be able to take advantage of the advanced security measures that come with the facility. That means you can have peace of mind knowing your valuable items will always be right where you left them.
Top Business Storage Tips
Ready to get business storage? Here are some tips to help you store and organize your inventory the right way.
Make a List
The essence of storage isn’t about storing. The point of storage is retrieval; someday, you’re going to need to head back into your unit to grab items again. So, you need to start with a list of everything you intend to store in your unit.
Take a look around your office space and see what you can store to clear up space. Ask yourself what you need in the office for day-to-day operations and what can get packed up and put away. For example, you may need some files available for easy access, but many documents can be stored safely. If you’re wanting to store inventory, take note of how many items you have and what products are best sellers.
All of this information can be used to help you group the items you want to store together, as well as help you choose the right size storage unit for your needs.
Pack Properly
The biggest mistake in packing for business storage (or any storage, for that matter) is rushing your packing. You want to pack efficiently and properly to avoid damaging any inventory or supplies.
While many products ship in cardboard boxes, you might want to consider moving things into sturdier containers. Especially if those items will be kept in storage long term. Clear plastic bins will not only protect your supplies and inventory from pests, dust, and damage, but they will also make items easier to find.
Organize Your Floor Plan
Well-organized storage spaces should be safe and easy to navigate. You should ensure there are clear aisles in your unit for easy navigation. You also want to think about how you organize your unit so you can find items easier and quicker. One way to do this is by grouping similar items together. Items that are best sellers or needed more frequently should be placed in the front of the unit, while off-market seasonal items can be placed in the back. This will help you save time and energy as you won’t need to search through the entire unit to find items you use often at the back.
Think About Adding “Storage Helpers”
When organizing and putting supplies and merchandise into your unit, don’t think you have to leave your unit bare! You can add “storage helpers” into your unit to take better advantage of the space. You can place a table or workbench in your unit to help you organize tools and equipment if you’re a tradesperson. Or you can place wire shelves along the walls to leverage more vertical space. These options will help increase your storage space while ensuring your items are visible and easily accessible should you need to grab something or want to update your stock catalog.
Map and Label
Labeling might seem obvious, but it’s a step you certainly don’t want to skip. Labeling your storage’s inventory and zones will help you maintain long-term organization and make finding what you’re looking for a whole lot easier.
Creating a map can assist with this as well. For new and seasonal employees who need to go and grab something from the storage unit, maps can be helpful in guiding them to the right inventory items. And the more quickly people can navigate the unit, the more quickly they can complete their tasks.
Ready to get your business storage on? EZ Access Storage is ready to lend a hand.
EZ Access Storage is Here for Your Storage Needs
Ready to get your business storage on? EZ Access Storage is ready to lend a hand. Our storage units are spacious, secure, and affordable, and now we offer premium storage with industrial racks. These units come with industrial racks lining the walls, which makes for great supply and inventory storage for small businesses. Whether you want to rent a premium unit or a standard unit for your business storage needs, We are always here to make your storage experience as EZ as possible in East Wenatchee!
