Nowadays, passive income has become the go-to method of making profits around the globe, and there are many ways to do that. Some of them include owning and maintaining a vending machine, while others opt to invest in crowdfunded real estate.
However, one of the best ideas for increasing your passive income is storage units. Storage units are easy to maintain and you won’t have to spend a lot of money to preserve the space. The current value of this industry is estimated to be around $50 billion.
If you are looking into a new potential business venture that will generate a passive income then starting a storage unit business can be a great option for you. However, if you are wondering how to have a successful start in this industry, we have you covered. Take a look below and take note of the following tips that will help you reach success the right way.
Do your research
Before you start looking for the right spaces to start your self-storage business, you should conduct a thorough research about the area to see whether someone else is already offering the same services you have in mind.
If another self-storage business is already established in your area, it doesn’t mean you should give up on your location. There are a few things you can do to make your storage unit business stand out from the competition. For example, you can offer excellent around-the-clock security and surveillance services, making your storage units impenetrable. On top of that, you can also include heating and cooling systems so that various types of customers, with different types of needs and preferences, can store their items.
Create a business plan
Before you come up with a great idea to make your business stand out from the competition, you will have to put your ideas and goals on paper. A solid storage unit business plan will help you plan out the growth of your business to improve your chances of success, as well as help you raise funding.
If you’re having trouble creating one, you can always opt for an online business plan template or hire a professional to do the work for you. Keep in mind that your business plan should explain your business goals and the strategy you plan to use to reach them.
Consider the cost
If you build a facility from the ground up, your budget might be heavily impacted. You can expect to be financially set back by around $25 to $40 per square meter. However, as your business gains traction, you can expect your investment to pay off rather quickly.
A self-storage unit at a good location has the potential to rack up serious amounts of profit. But don’t forget that you will always have to pay for expenses such as maintenance and electricity bills.
If you are currently not prepared to go all out on this business venture, you might consider looking for an investor or a partner that shares your business vision. You might think that’s extremely difficult to accomplish, but with your business plan, you can pitch your ideas to potential investors easily.
Determine your target customers
It’s a given that you will offer your services to a variety of customers, but determining who your target customers are can impact the quality of your service. For example, if you only provide storage for individuals that require your services during moving season, you won’t have to equip your self-storage units that much.
On the other hand, if you are working with businesses that are storing goods, you will have to equip your units to the brim. For that reason, it’s advised that you tailor your services to the needs of your target customers so that the word of your business spreads far and wide.
Market your unit
There’s no point in running a business that doesn’t perform. At the start, it might be hard to get customers to use your services, but if you set up a proper website where anyone can contact you and book your services, you are golden.
In addition to that, you can also take to social media to get in touch with a wider customer base and offer your services to anyone that might require them.
Final thoughts
Opening a storage unit business is one of the best things you can do if you want to achieve a substantial passive income. The promise of ROI might lure you in, but starting a business is never an easy task. However, if you follow the steps we outlined in this post, you can expect to make progress and conquer the market steadily.
