Well-organized business storage can make a big difference to both your bottom line and business operations. Here’s how you can utilize and organize your storage unit more efficiently for your business.
Choose the Right Facility
First – you need to choose the right storage facility before you start loading up your inventory in a unit. Not all storage facilities are the same, so be sure to do your research and pick a facility that will help you with your business storage. This means finding a place that is:
- Secure: when it comes to storing your inventory and supplies, you don’t want to take chances on security. Look for a facility that offers security features like cameras, individually alarmed units, on-site managers, and more. Not only will this help protect your inventory, but it will provide you with peace of mind, too.
- Clean: you don’t want to store your inventory in a place that might be dirty. Pictures are great, but if you can see the facility (and a storage unit) in person, that’s even better to ensure it’s a clean and tidy place.
- Has drive-up access: the ability to pull up a car or truck to your storage space for unloading and loading is convenient and worth looking for. This will save you tons of time and effort transporting and storing your inventory since you’ll be able to move items directly in and out.
- Has a variety of unit sizes: as your business scales up and your inventory grows, you need a place that will have a variety of unit sizes so you can easily move into a larger unit when you’re ready.
Take Stock of Items
Before you move items into your business storage unit, you need to go through everything. Create a checklist or spreadsheet with items organized by product category. You’ll want to note how many items you have, what containers they’re in, and whether an item is fragile. This is also the perfect time to note which products are your top sellers. All this information can help you get a better idea of what inventory you currently have, which can help you choose the right size storage unit for your needs. This information will also help you create a strategy for your storage unit layout.
Strategize Your Layout
When organizing your unit, it’s a good idea to come up with a floor plan ahead of time to streamline loading and organizing your unit.
When creating your floor plan, think about how to organize your unit so you can find items easier and quicker. One way to do this is by grouping similar items together and dedicating sections of your unit to specific product categories. For example, bestseller items or items you need frequently can be placed towards the front for easier access, while off-market seasonal items can be placed towards the back. Whatever system you come up with, consider making an inventory map of your unit so you (and other employees) always know where items are.
Use Sturdy Boxes
While many products ship in cardboard boxes, you might want to consider moving your inventory into sturdier containers. Especially if said inventory will be kept in storage long term. Clear plastic bins are perfect for not only protecting inventory from dust, pests, and damage but also for making items easier to find.
And don’t forget to label your bins to help make finding inventory even simpler! Many businesses utilize stock-keeping unit numbers on containers and shelves to track products more efficiently. You can never be too organized when it comes to business storage.
Add Storage Space in Unlikely Places
You don’t just have to keep your unit the way it is when you get it. Explore storage options like placing shelves along the walls of your unit or leveraging vertical space. This will increase your storage space while ensuring your stock is visible and easily accessible should you need to grab something or you want to update your stock catalog.
Utilize Inventory Management Software
Regardless of your stock volume, inventory management software is a vital tool when keeping tabs on your inventory. With improved efficiency and accuracy, you’ll understand your inventory better thanks to the software. If you’re a small business and don’t have the funds for inventory management software, there are apps available that help digitally manage your stock without spending big bucks. Apps like Sortly, On Shelf, and Inventory Tracker are great options. And, of course, as your business grows, you can change your inventory management technology to fit your business’s needs.
We are ready to be your business storage solution!
Bay Street Storage is Here for Your Business Storage Needs
If your business lacks storage space, or you’re on the hunt for affordable and secure business storage, look no further than Bay Street Storage! We are ready to be your solution to extra storage space for business files, equipment, inventory, and more. No matter what size unit you need, we have something to accommodate you. We have two convenient locations in Post Falls for you to choose from, and we’ve got all your storage needs covered. We’re here to make your storage experience easy. If you need any help, let us know!
