How to find a storage space for ecommerce business?

[johnp1]

Dear friends,

I am no longer able to use my house to store products that I'm selling online.

A space as big as a standard garage should be enough for me, however, I don't know where to find such a space.

So far, I was only able to find spaces such as bigyellow or other similar storage companies.

Anyone aware of other solutions to find storage for my business?

Thank you very much for your assistance!

 

[WebshopMechanic]

Hi John,

Yellow Storage or similar will cost you an absolute fortune. Don't get me wrong, it's an awesome business model for general storage needs because people pay you for stuff they never collect, but it's too pricey for a small business.

Depending on how much stock you have, you could look at:

• Shared Fulfilment Centre - This can be very cost-effective because they have the space, systems and software in place. I've had clients use these who are only send 5-10 orders per day.

• Farm Storage Units - Often much cheaper than the flashy storage places and still have security in place. You obviously need to do everything yourself.

Hope that helps.

Matt

 

[Mr D]

Look around for any storage space - often towns and cities have at least one.
Not always well advertised.
A standard garage may work for you - but look at improving security. Can be easy to break into garage compared to house.

Or look at a fulfilment house - quite a few of them around, will store and send your stock.

 

[MBE2017]

Lock up garages are normally plentiful, downside is theycan be broken into if they are either not protected or well known. I used to have eight locks ups at one time, all for an old market business, fortunately they were in an unknown quiet area and I never suffered a break in in ten years.

Old shipping containers are very good as well, or just ask on Facebook etc, normally plenty of companies have a small area that they might be very glad to rent out atm.

 

[MOIC]

A secure shipping container storage site is the way to go.

Make sure there is sufficient room for vehicle loading, hard ground and completely secure (as can be).

 

[MBE2017]

A secure shipping container storage site is the way to go.

Make sure there is sufficient room for vehicle loading, hard ground and completely secure (as can be).

For many a good choice. I used the specialist companies, mainly because it freed myself up since they would receive orders, unload lorries and store the goods safely until I was at the facility. That alone was worth the extra money to myself, a container site I use refuses to do any of that. So although much cheaper, not much use unless I wanted to be stuck there all day.

 

[Mr D]

For many a good choice. I used the specialist companies, mainly because it freed myself up since they would receive orders, unload lorries and store the goods safely until I was at the facility. That alone was worth the extra money to myself, a container site I use refuses to do any of that. So although much cheaper, not much use unless I wanted to be stuck there all day.

We use a container site.
Getting deliveries is a doddle, we leave instructions for delivery driver to phone when half hour away or so - and we drive up, let them in, unload to the unit then wave them off as they leave.

More of a problem if its pallets as the container floor isn't flush to the ground and have to unload pallets by hand to put contents in.

 

[MOIC]

Agree with above as each person will have their own boxes to tick.

Generally, a shipping container storage site will be cheaper than a site like "Big Yellow' and the like.

Location and opening/closing/access times will be important factors to consider too.

 

[MBE2017]

The company I use even have a forklift, despatch goods etc, it’s like having free staff, without any of the hassle.

 

[Fulfil]

Dear friends,

I am no longer able to use my house to store products that I'm selling online.

A space as big as a standard garage should be enough for me, however, I don't know where to find such a space.

So far, I was only able to find spaces such as bigyellow or other similar storage companies.

Anyone aware of other solutions to find storage for my business?

Thank you very much for your assistance!

A fulfilment service might work for you ? As another poster pointed out above it leaves you to get on with just selling as you save all the hassle of having to travel to another location to replenish your stock. Just a thought

 

[Karimbo]

depends on how valuable your stuff is. If your stock is valuable then I wouldn't hesitate with self storage. The price varys a lot by location. Anything in the city will be more expensive than something near an industrial site.

Shipping container is cheaper but in the winter it can be wet and cold to get to. You might factor in whether you want to go in and just pack and label them in a storage site and then take them straight to the courier. If you want that option then an indoor storrge site might be better.

Lockups aren't advisable, sooner or later it will get broken into. I would only use lockups to store things that have low value. Like packaging materials, selling low value items like high vis, refuse bags, gardening gloves and other large low value ite,s.

Storage site, and shipping containers, you'll be able to get your stock insured for theft and damage. I dont think you'll be able to get insurance for a lockup

 

[Solly]

Using a third party fulfilment company would free up your time to build your business which will give a higher ROI rather than pick and packing which is a low return.

 

[Renars-SharkServers]

Have a look at company called Stashbee