Getting Started

New to self storage? Our Getting Started blogs offer guides and tips to help you launch and grow your business.

Categories

January 30, 2026 ·

Getting Started

Where Are Americans Moving? The Most Popular Locations for Self Storage in 2026

The U.S. is a nation on the move, with nearly 15 million Americans moving across the country in 2025.

January 7, 2026 ·

Getting Started

How to Set Up a Valet Storage Service at Your Self Storage Business

Research shows that consumers are willing to pay more for anything that saves them time or simplifies their day, and that includes self storage.

By Jenna Wimshurst

December 29, 2025 ·

Getting Started , Marketing & Sales

Self Storage Website Design: 5 Ways to Build a High-Converting Website That Drives Growth

In the self storage industry, most customers now book online. In the US, more than 70% of storage customers start their search this way.

By Steven Hylands

December 9, 2025 ·

Facility Management , Getting Started

A Complete Guide To Self Storage Facility Management

There are over 50,000 self storage facilities in the U.S. and over 3,000 in the UK. If you’re planning on investing in your own business, you’re up against some stiff competition.

By Jenna Wimshurst

October 27, 2025 ·

Getting Started

How to Start a Self Storage Business in 8 Steps

Follow these six prep and planning steps to learn how to start a self storage business that’s primed for success from the ground up.

October 16, 2025 ·

Getting Started , Facility Management

Choosing the Best Self Storage Management Software for Your Facility: The Questions to Ask

Discover the key questions every operator should ask vendors when choosing self storage management software, and why.

By Gavin Shields

October 13, 2025 ·

Getting Started , Marketing & Sales

What to sell in your self storage checkout (and how to start today)

Most operators sell storage space. But the best ones sell everything their customers actually need — and make it effortless to buy.

By Steven Hylands

September 22, 2025 ·

Facility Management , Getting Started

Self Storage Management Software: What It Is and Why You Need It

Get a handle on what is self storage management software in this brief overview, and learn why it's a must-have for today's operators.

By Gavin Shields

July 25, 2025 ·

Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

Self Storage Social Media Marketing Tips To Grow Your Business In 2026

If your self storage facility is only marketing to people actively searching for units, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity.

July 21, 2025 ·

Getting Started

Indoor Self Storage vs. Outdoor Container Storage: the Pros and Cons

As a self storage owner or investor, deciding whether to build an indoor facility or go down the outdoor container route is one of the most important early calls you'll make.

By Gavin Shields

June 10, 2025 ·

Getting Started

Farm Diversification: 11 Ideas For Additional Income Streams

Farms cover around 70% of the UK’s total land area, playing a vital role in not just food production but in shaping the rural economy.

By Jenna Wimshurst

May 27, 2025 ·

Facility Management , Getting Started

A Complete Guide To Multi-Facility Self Storage Management

The self storage industry is a lucrative one. The annual revenue from owning a storage facility in the U.S. can range from $365,000 to $800,000, and £29.13 per square foot in the UK.

By Jenna Wimshurst

May 20, 2025 ·

Getting Started

How to Find the Perfect Location for Your Self Storage Business

Opening a self storage facility is a rewarding opportunity, but selecting the right location is key to long-term success. In this blog, we guide you through the process of selecting a suitable site…

By Steven Hylands

May 8, 2025 ·

Getting Started , Facility Management

A Complete Guide To Self Storage Technology In 2025

The right self storage technology can completely change how you run your facility. In fact, businesses that invest in technology see a profit and performance improvement of over 10%.

By Jenna Wimshurst

April 15, 2025 ·

Getting Started

Farm Diversification: How To Start A Storage Business On Your Farm

There are currently over 200,000 farms in the UK, using 17 million hectares of land. Many of these farms have extra land and buildings available that can be diversified for farmers to create an…

By Jenna Wimshurst

April 10, 2025 ·

Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

How To Generate Self Storage Leads And Maximize Revenue

For self storage facilities, generating a consistent flow of leads is one of the biggest challenges operators face. In fact, 65% of businesses are struggling to generate leads.

March 24, 2025 ·

Getting Started

13 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Self Storage Business

Starting a self storage business can be a highly profitable investment, offering long-term financial stability and growth potential.

By Jenna Wimshurst

March 17, 2025 ·

Getting Started

Self Storage Design: How To Develop Your Site Layout For A Great Customer Experience

The average occupancy rate for self storage facilities is 96.5%, meaning there’s a big demand for storage. Additionally:

By Jenna Wimshurst

December 4, 2024 ·

Getting Started

How To Start a Shipping Container Self Storage Business

The self storage industry is booming and offers a lucrative opportunity. With a global market valued at $64.14 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $85.27 billion by 2030, the sector is growing at…

By Jenna Wimshurst

November 19, 2024 ·

Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

Top 9 Self Storage Podcasts To Help You Grow Your Business in 2025

The self storage industry is evolving more rapidly than ever. New technologies are revolutionizing everything from bookings and access to security and operations, making it challenging to stay ahead.

October 3, 2024 ·

Getting Started

Starting Your Self Storage Business: How Much Does It Cost To Build 100 Storage Units?

Some of the largest storage facilities in the U.S. are making a revenue of up to $4 million per year. If you’re considering starting your own self storage business, there’s a massive opportunity for…

August 30, 2024 ·

Getting Started , Facility Management , Marketing & Sales

How to Automate Your Self Storage Business in 9 Simple Steps

Automating your self storage business helps reduce costs and admin and frees you to focus on more impactful tasks, such as business growth. In fact, 88% of small business owners say automation…

By Gavin Shields

August 27, 2024 ·

Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

A Complete Guide To Self Storage SEO: Expert Tips And How To Get It Right

If you want to drive traffic to your self storage facility website, get more leads, and achieve more unit bookings, you need to invest in search engine optimization (SEO).

September 18, 2023 ·

Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

Leveraging AI for Self Storage Website Content

Learn how you can utilise AI tools like ChatGPT today to level up your self storage marketing and content creation.

By Gavin Shields

August 12, 2023 ·

Getting Started , Facility Management

What Makes A Good Location For Your Caravan Storage Site?

Choosing the right location can attract more customers, ensure convenience, and enhance the overall customer experience.

By Gavin Shields

July 26, 2023 ·

Facility Management , Getting Started

5 Top Tips For Choosing The Right Caravan Storage Software

There are lots of options out there and it's hard to tell at first glance what systems are going to meet your needs the best.

By Gavin Shields

January 22, 2023 ·

Facility Management , Marketing & Sales , Getting Started

The Benefits of Self Storage Management Software

Discover the main business advantages the right software can deliver in this handy breakdown.

January 19, 2023 ·

Finance & Legal , Getting Started

How Much Does A Self Storage Business Make?

Gavin shares the biggest influencers on ROI and reveals his sites’ earnings to help you gauge how much a self storage business makes.

By Gavin Shields

January 6, 2022 ·

Getting Started

UK Self Storage Startup? Cut Out Guesswork With The UK Self Storage Business Ecosystem

Take the guess work out of self storage management with Stora’s UK Self Storage Business Ecosystem. Our Ecosystem brings technology, fit-out, insurance and more together in one place, saving you…

January 3, 2022 ·

Getting Started , Finance & Legal

How To Become A Self Storage Millionaire

A few weeks ago Stora’s CEO, Gavin Shields posted a thread on Twitter offering his 10 step process to becoming a self storage millionaire. No matter how popular something is on social media,…

December 14, 2021 ·

Finance & Legal , Getting Started

Is Self Storage Property Investing a Good Idea?

Self storage is an underrated real estate asset that’s gaining momentum and showing remarkable resilience to the effects of the pandemic. As an investment, self storage provides unique advantages…

November 1, 2021 ·

Getting Started

Self Storage – An Industry In Transition And An Opportunity

The airline industry did it in the early 2000’s… Hotels, car hire and practically every other industry has since made the shift. But the self storage industry has yet to truly embrace the new…

October 19, 2021 ·

Getting Started

UK Self Storage: A Huge Opportunity

The UK self storage industry is a fast growing, highly profitable niche with significant headroom for growth.

October 15, 2021 ·

Getting Started

Your Future In Self Storage - Free Download

Download your free copy of our exclusive self storage industry magazine.

June 10, 2021 ·

Getting Started , Marketing & Sales

Why You Need To Launch Your Self Storage Website Before Opening

As you get ready to open your self storage facility, you’ll have a daunting list of tasks to complete: site or property acquisition, site preparation / fit-out, signage, smart entry systems,…

By Steven Hylands

March 25, 2021 ·

Getting Started , Marketing & Sales

Digital Marketing For Self Storage: What You Need To Know

An understanding of self storage digital marketing is essential for any company looking to grow and acquire new customers.

December 8, 2020 ·

Getting Started

Introducing Stora for Startups: Everything You Need To Run Your Self Storage Business Online

When I decided to open my first self storage facility in 2019, one of the biggest surprises was the lack of modern self storage software. I expected to find some sort of easy-to-use product that…

By Gavin Shields