By Emmalee Rice
The start of spring brings new opportunities for owners of RV storage facilities. Growth, improvement and planning. The winter months tend to be slower for business, so now is the perfect time to examine the facility’s performance, implement changes and prepare for a successful year. As many RV owners are looking for seasonal storage, facilities need to be well-equipped, secure and ready to meet the needs of customers as they gear up for new adventures. Here are some key considerations for owners of RV/boat storage facilities.
1. Reviewing and Updating Pricing Models
As the new year begins, it’s an ideal time to examine your pricing strategy and make any needed adjustments. RV storage pricing can be influenced by many factors, including demand, location, competition and services offered. Reviewing the pricing structure ensures that you keep generating profit and keep up with any competition.
Key pricing considerations:
- Look at Competitor Pricing: Take a look at other RV storage facilities in the area and analyze their pricing. Ensure the rates of your facility are competitive while reflecting the value and services you provide.
Seasonal Adjustments: If your facility sees higher demand during certain seasons (such as summer or holiday months), consider adjusting prices accordingly. Offering discounted rates for off-season months can help you keep business going.- Offer Discounts or Promotions: Attract new customers with special deals, such as a special discount for customers who commit to long-term storage. This is also a good time to create referral programs or offer bundled services (such as discounts on RV washing or maintenance services) to incentivize customers.
2. Enhancing Security Features
Security is always a top priority, but as the new year begins, it’s a good time to revisit the security measures and determine if upgrades or improvements are necessary for your facility. Criminal activity, weather conditions or new technology may require changes to ensure your customers’ RVs remain safe and secure.
Security improvements to consider:
- Upgrade Surveillance Systems: Invest in higher quality cameras, better lighting or additional cameras to cover blind spots. Make sure cameras have night vision capabilities and can support remote live viewing.
- Improve Access Control: Consider implementing digital access control systems that require unique codes, key cards or mobile app access for customers. This ensures only authorized people can enter the facility.
- Reassess Perimeter Security: Inspect fencing, gates and any other barriers to ensure they’re in good condition and able to prevent unauthorized access. If necessary, add more fencing or motion sensors.
3. Evaluating Customer Service and Communication
As the new year begins, consider how your facility communicates with customers and provides support. Clear communication and excellent customer service are essential to retaining clients and building a good reputation.
Customer service considerations:
- Online Booking and Payment Systems: Ensure your online platform for reservations, payments, and account management is user-friendly and up to date. Customers appreciate an easy-to-navigate interface that allows them to handle transactions quickly and conveniently.
- Customer Feedback: Collect feedback from customers to assess their experience at your facility. Consider sending surveys or requesting reviews to understand their needs, concerns, and areas where your facility can improve. This can be extended to physical sites as well as digital.
- Seasonal Reminders: As storage facilities get busier, send reminders to customers about upcoming contract renewals or storage availability. Offering clear communication about your services, policies and pricing for the new year can help avoid confusion and ensure a smooth experience for your clients.
4. Inspecting and Maintaining Facility Infrastructure
Regular maintenance of your RV storage facility is critical for maintaining safety, security, and a positive customer experience. As the new year begins, use this time to inspect the facility’s infrastructure and address any repairs or improvements that need attention.
Facility maintenance checklist:
Repaving and Repairs: After months of use, parking areas, access roads, and any paved surfaces may need repair. Check for cracks, potholes or drainage issues that could create problems for your customers or vehicles. Even checking for anything that looks like it might lead to something that will need repairing can help to keep up with maintenance.- Security Lighting: Check that all lights are working and replace any broken bulbs. Proper lighting not only improves safety but also enhances the overall experience for your customers. Any customers that may visit at night will appreciate the added security of knowing who and what is around them.
- Fencing and Gates: Inspect fencing for any damage or areas that may be easy to breach. Gates should be functioning properly, and any locking systems or access codes should be tested for security.
Repaving and Repairs5. Preparing for Seasonal Demand
Many RV storage facilities experience increased demand during certain seasons, especially as RV owners prepare for trips or store their vehicles for winter. Planning ahead for this demand can help ensure your facility is ready and capable of handling a surge in customers.
Steps for preparing for seasonal demand:
- Offer Winterization Services: Many RV owners need help winterizing their vehicles before putting them into storage. Offering services like winterizing, battery maintenance or antifreeze installation can be a great value-add during the off-season.
- Optimize Storage Space: Consider expanding your facility or rearranging space to accommodate more vehicles if you anticipate higher demand. Offering a variety of storage options (covered, uncovered or indoor spaces) can give customers flexibility in choosing a plan that fits their needs.
- Create a Waitlist System: If you’re expecting an increase in demand for RV storage, implement a waitlist system to manage overbooked spaces. This ensures customers know when space becomes available and that no one is left without a solution.
6. Marketing and Advertising for the New Year
The start of the new year is a perfect time to refresh your marketing efforts and attract new customers to your facility. RV owners who are preparing for travel or needing seasonal storage will be looking for convenient, secure, and well-maintained options.
Marketing ideas to consider:
- Seasonal Promotions: Kick off the new year with special promotions or discounts for new customers. Consider offering New Year’s special rates for first-time renters or discounts on long-term storage agreements.
- Online Presence: Ensure your website and social media profiles are up to date. Highlight any new services, security improvements or special offers. Regularly posting content about RV-related tips, seasonal storage needs or customer testimonials can help keep your facility top-of-mind.
- Local Advertising: Connect with local RV dealers, clubs or online communities to advertise your services. Partnering with local RV sales or rental businesses can also help generate referrals from customers who need storage after purchasing or renting an RV.
7. Planning for Staff Training and Efficiency
As your RV storage business grows, ensuring your staff is well-trained and equipped to handle customer needs is critical. Use the beginning of the year to review your staffing needs and offer training or development opportunities to ensure high-quality customer service.
Staff considerations:
- Training on Customer Service: Ensure that your staff is knowledgeable about your services and can provide helpful, courteous assistance to customers. This includes training on the booking system, facility security and how to handle any issues that may arise.
- Efficiency Improvements: Review workflows and processes to ensure that the facility runs efficiently. Look for ways to streamline check-in/check-out processes or improve communication with customers. Small operational changes can greatly improve customer satisfaction and your overall workflow.
8. Setting Goals for the Year Ahead
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to set clear, measurable goals for your RV storage business. Whether it’s increasing your customer base, expanding your services or improving facility security, having defined goals will help guide your decisions and keep your business on track for success.
Goal-setting strategies:
- Financial Goals: Set revenue targets or specific growth metrics, such as increasing occupancy rates or increasing the average length of stay.
- Customer Satisfaction Goals: Focus on improving your customer service experience by setting goals for response times, customer feedback ratings or resolving issues more efficiently.
- Operational Goals: Aim to implement improvements in facility maintenance, security or the adoption of new technology to streamline your operations.
Conclusion
The new year offers a fresh start for RV storage facility owners to refine their operations, enhance customer service, and prepare for seasonal demand. By reviewing pricing models, investing in security upgrades, improving customer communication and ensuring the facility is well-maintained, you can set your business up for a successful and profitable year. Thoughtful planning and proactive management will help you stay competitive, retain satisfied customers and grow your business in the coming year.
Emmalee Rice is a university student with a passion for doing research that can help others.
