Having an online sales business that operates from your home can be a very lucrative way to earn some extra money. Many people across the country have taken what was once a hobby and turned it into a growing business. If you have recently started out and have run out of room for your inventory, a storage unit rental, at a location like American Storage, could be the solution to your problems. Here are a few tips that can make storing your inventory a little easier to do and easier to find what you need when your items sell.
Find the Storage Unit
The location of the storage unit will have a large impact on how easy it is for you to take care of business. Keep three things in mind –
- How easy it to get in and out of the facility? Traffic can sometimes make it impossible to get in and out easily.
- Where is it located? Is it close to your home or maybe the post office? Having a unit that is nearby to your home or the post office will reduce the number of miles that you have to drive to take care of things.
- Is access limited? Some facilities don't allow access between certain hours. Find one that will allow you access during the times in which you need access.
If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, choose a climate-controlled unit. This will protect all of your things from heat, cold and moisture damage and make it less uncomfortable while working in the unit during the dead of winter or the peak of summer.
Organize your Inventory
Before your inventory goes into the storage unit, take pictures, package, weigh and label the packages. Create a file on your computer that lists all of the inventory, includes the pictures, weights and inventory numbers.
Once you have everything ready, take it to the storage unit and file it in a way that makes it easy for you to find what you need when the items sell. This could be by category or simply using the inventory numbers.
Protect your Investment
If you own a home, contact your homeowner's insurance company to discuss protection on the items being stored in the unit. Many insurance policies include this type of protection but it may be limited. In some cases a rider will need to be added to the policy to protect you from loss if the unit should catch fire or get burglarized.
If you have renter's insurance, you will likely need to add a rider to the policy. Talk with your agent to learn exactly what needs to be done.
Your business can continue to grow without taking over your home. Use a storage unit for your inventory and your growth potential is nearly limitless.
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