Your Recipe for an Irresistible Self-Storage Website, Using AI as the Secret Ingredient
Just like cooking, creating a website is straightforward when you have the right recipe and AI can take your dish to the next level!
Step 1. Your Ingredients
Building a well designed self-storage website that turns casual browsers into online reservations isn’t the complex undertaking it once was, however there are still some basic ingredients. For this dish, you’ll need…
1. One Logo
If you don’t have a designer’s eye yourself, there are options available. You can outsource through websites like Fiverr and Upwork for a finished logo design on a low budget.
While AI can speed up the design process, there are (currently) limitations to what it can create, especially when it comes to creating text-based logos.
2. One Company Name
You’re going to be called it a lot, so make sure you’ve picked a name you like.
Including ‘storage’ or ‘self-storage’ in the name may help with signage and print marketing, but it’s becoming less impactful in recent times when it comes to online search engine results.
If expansion and new locations are on the cards, be careful about creating a name that’s hyper-localised. ‘Small Town Self-Storage’ might be good marketing if you’re staying put, but it can become a headache if you want to open a new location further afield.
3. One Domain Name
Should you already have one, keep it! The authority your domain has built up over time is worth a lot when it comes to search results.
4. And, One Facility Management Software
Crucial your website can integrate with your facility management software, to capture online rentals and payments automatically.
There’s no point putting in all the work on a website to ask someone to call a number that might not get answered out of hours or a contact form where the submissions end up in an already cluttered inbox. With Kinnovis, our AI-powered self-storage software is a future-proof solution for managing your business.
Once you’ve collected all your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking. Thanks to AI, this is the easy part!
Step 2. Getting Started with Your AI-Built Self-Storage Website
Thanks to the advancements in AI, you can now create your own self-storage website in seconds, without the need to hire any technical support. Tools like Durable make it ridiculously easy to whip up an irresistible website without having to slave away at a hot stove (or laptop). With the option to either re-generate the AI content or re-write it yourself, you can keep tasting throughout the cooking process too.
Durable also have hosting capabilities, so your website can be live and bring you customers straightaway.
Step 3. Let's Get Cooking
Now you have your basic framework of a website, it’s time to add the core elements a self-storage website needs:
First and foremost, let’s start with the essential homepage – the heart of your online presence. This is where you’ll entice potential customers with a tantalising glimpse of what your facility has to offer. Think of it as the appetiser that leaves them craving more!
Next, we have the testimonials page, a simmering pot of satisfied customers’ experiences. Nothing builds trust and credibility quite like hearing from those who have already benefited from your services. Sprinkle this page with glowing reviews and watch the conversions rise! If you’re brand new and don’t have any customers to lean on for positive feedback, you could instead look to any suppliers or contractors you’ve worked with for their input. They may not have been customers, but they can still attest to your openness, quick communication and attention to detail.
Now, let’s move on to the pièce de résistance – the location page(s). This is where you’ll break down your facility’s location into its various aspects, such as accessibility, any unique features, security measures, opening hours and directions. Think of it as the main course that showcases the best your location has to offer. Paint a vivid picture that leaves potential customers (and Google’s crawl bot) hungry for more.
To add flavour to your marketing strategy, don’t forget about the about us page. This is where you’ll share your story, values and passion for providing top-notch service. Remember, customers want to know the people behind the scenes and what sets you apart from the competition. Stir in some personal touches to create a connection that leaves a lasting impression.
Lastly, we have the unit size guide – the cherry on top of your marketing sundae. This practical tool will help potential customers visualise their storage needs and choose the perfect unit size. By offering this useful resource, you’ll demonstrate your commitment to making their storage experience as seamless as possible.
Our AI chatbot, Jane GPT, can also help with giving your potential customers an estimate of their storage needs. Find out what else Jane’s AI-backed responses can help with.
Optional Extras (Season to Taste)
A blog bursting with useful packing tips and suggestions for using storage correctly will not only attract visitors but also establish you as an expert in the industry. Don’t forget to also add a dash of social media profiles, linking your website to platforms where you can engage with your customers on a more personal level.
Next, let’s add some visual flavour to your website. Sprinkle in some enticing videos and images showcasing your top-notch facility and spacious storage units. With the help of AI tools, you can even generate stunning stock images instead of hiring a professional photographer.
Now, let’s not forget to create separate pages for the different types of storage you offer. Whether it’s student storage, business storage, vehicle storage or even wine storage for the connoisseurs, each page will cater to the unique needs of your customers. Think of it as preparing a variety of custom dishes, each tailored to satisfy a different appetite.
With AI as your secret ingredient, your self-storage website will be the talk of the town, attracting customers from far and wide. Bon appétit!
Step 4. Check It's Cooked Perfectly
To make sure your website is cooked all the way through and tastes as good as it looks, you’ll need to make sure it passes the following checks:
Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure that your website is responsive and displays correctly on various mobile devices and screen sizes. With a significant proportion of internet users accessing websites on mobile devices, mobile-friendliness is crucial for a positive user experience and SEO ranking.
Page Loading Speed: Page load speed is critical for user satisfaction and search engine ranking. Test and optimise your website’s loading speed to minimise bounce rates and provide a faster browsing experience.
SSL Certificate: Verify that your website has an SSL certificate installed to secure user data and enhance trust. Websites without SSL certificates may be flagged as insecure by browsers, discouraging user engagement.
XML Sitemap: Create and submit an XML sitemap to search engines like Google and Bing. This helps search engines crawl and index your website’s pages effectively, improving your site’s visibility in search results.
Metadata Optimisation: Review and optimise meta titles and descriptions for each page. Ensure that they are relevant, concise and include relevant keywords. Well-optimised metadata can improve click-through rates and search engine rankings.
Something for Dessert?
If you’re satisfied with your website but you’ve still some room for more, why not try 3 scoops of Google’s own-brand ice-cream and see exactly how well your new website is performing. You can find the recipe on Google’s website and also ask our team to make sure you’ve followed their steps to the letter. The flavours are:
Google Analytics 4
Also known as GA4, this tool shows you how people came to your website, what they did while they were there and which pages they interacted with. It’s the best source of truth for how well your website is performing.
Google Tag Manager
Coupled with GA4, Tag Manager lets you highlight and track the key interactions people make on your website, like: clicking your phone number, submitting the contact form or booking online. It may be daunting at first to set up, but our team can help ensure everything is set up correctly.
Google Search Console
This tool shows you how well your website is doing in Google’s search results and exactly which searches you’re ranking well for.
How Kinnovis can help
If you’re just starting in self-storage and new to creating a website, schedule a call with our team and we can guide you through the steps.
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