How to Maximize Storage Units for Your Online Business

More and more people are venturing into online businesses today. You may see a lot of homes have been transformed into makeshift storage units to store products for selling on online platforms.

That includes stuff like scented candles, bottled artisanal food, household appliances, beauty products, homemade perfumes, and aromatic oils. People have become entrepreneurial and for a good reason.

Technology and the Internet have made it easy for people to set up shop and venture for alternative income streams. You can easily become a successful online entrepreneur if you have the willpower, vision, and resources.

But what about your home? Not everyone can sacrifice the comfort of their abode for their goals. As you see your business and vision getting more extensive, you might have to give up more of it to keep up.

That's why keeping certain parts of your online business separate from your home is best. But of all the things you can do that for, storage does offer much more workaround. If you want (or have) to, you can temporarily use some of your space as household storage for your products. Or, you may utilize storage units instead.

This post will explore how you can maximize storage units for your online business. If you need some help as a small-time entrepreneur, here's what you need to know.

1. Organize Your Inventory
2. Use Shelving and Storage Containers
3. Optimize the Layout
4. Consider Climate Control
5. Keep It Clean
6. Use Vertical Space
7. Label Your Products Properly
8. Use Mobile Storage Units
Use Your Storage Space Smartly

1. Organize Your Inventory

Organizing your inventory makes product management straightforward. Stocks get easier to find, and you avoid overstocking, which is money-saving. More importantly, you can fulfill orders quicker since you can find items fast.

You will also have a higher customer satisfaction rate. That's because you'll always have stocks ready for ordering and transit. There's hardly any need to tell your customers that a product is out of stock when it's just buried under a massive pile of disorganized items.

Furthermore, organizing protects products from damage and loss, which is critical for maintaining your inventory.

2. Use Shelving and Storage Containers

Shelves are essential for storage. Many items, especially food, shouldn't be stacked directly on the floor. Because of hygiene reasons, food, even packaged ones, must be kept in pest-proof containers and stacked above ground and away from walls. It prevents contamination and the risk of pest infestation.

Shelves and storage containers keep your products organized and safe from damage like dust, water, and dirt.

3. Optimize the Layout

You must make sure that every inch of available space is utilized efficiently.

One way to do this is to make sure products are arranged based on demand. That means placing high-selling products in a location that is easy to access. Those that aren’t can be placed at the back.

One thing to remember is to leave ample space to move for everyone's safety and convenience. Consider foot traffic and create a layout for your team so they don't bump into each other while stocking or fulfilling orders.

It may also help to group similar products. Suppose your online store sells a wide selection of categories. In that case, you can try grouping things like electronics and clothing in separate clusters.

Another strategy would be to place frequently bought items together for more effortless packing.

Ultimately, you'll know the ideal configurations when you look at your sales reports and trends. Adjust as demands shift.

4. Consider Climate Control

Some products need a consistent temperature and humidity level. You must invest in this to protect your inventory and prevent huge losses.

In particular, these products need proper climate control to maintain their quality, lifespan, and performance and to prevent damage:

• Electronics
• Liquor
• Artwork
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food and beverages
• Cosmetics

For convenience, you can check out nearby storage unit providers to see if they have climate control units.

5. Keep It Clean

This step goes for those who choose to hire storage services for their products.

Before signing the rental agreement, ensure you have checked the cleanliness of the storage facility. Look for any signs of pests or moisture buildup. Before moving your stocks, make sure they turn over the unit to you without a fuss.

Create a regular cleaning schedule. It can help prevent dust and dirt from building up and maintain the integrity of your products. You can also set expectations with the staff concerning the cleanliness standards you want to be enforced on your unit.

For example, eating should be prohibited to prevent attracting insects and rodents. The same goes for storing personal food items inside the unit.

6. Use Vertical Space

Tall shelving can help you make the most out of the height of your storage unit. Just ensure you get ones that can support the weight of your products.

You may also use hanging storage and floating shelves. These are great because they also don't take up floor space.

There is also modular storage. This type of storage can be customized to fit your requirements. You can add or remove shelves as needed.

Of course, regular stacking always works. Just make sure your stuff stays safe and secure. Follow the first-in-first-out method to get the oldest stocks when fulfilling orders.

7. Label Your Products Properly

Labeling will make your life easier. Ensure all boxes and containers are appropriately labeled with content descriptions and other relevant details, such as stock keeping unit (SKU) and best-by date. That ensures you keep track of expiring items and rotate products appropriately.

Use durable, waterproof labels; they don't peel or fade in time. It's up to you if you want white or colored ones.

If you have multiple storage units at your disposal, investing in an efficient inventory tracking system like an RFID or barcode system is smart. With it, items are easier to locate and manage.

8. Use Mobile Storage Units

If your business frequently moves to a different location, a mobile storage unit may suit your business better. It can be leased short-term, typically less than six months, which is more cost-effective if your business is seasonal. There are also flexible terms, like monthly ones, to allow you to rent storage space for as long as needed.

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Use Your Storage Space Smartly

Having sufficient storage space for your online business is crucial to its success. You can utilize storage units if you're in the early stages of your online venture. The ways listed in this post are just a sampling of the many creative ones you can take to maximize this option.