This is a guest post by Drew Davies who writes for Big Yellow Self Storage – for more information on business storage see their website or blog. 

1. Plan for overspill 

The best advice, when it comes to storing merchandise, is always plan ahead. If you're running your business from home, ensuring you have extra space for an early or unexpected delivery means you won't end up with a pallet load of widgets in your living room. The garage might seem like the obvious place for overspill, but evaluate dryness, access and security – especially for high-end products (and see if the car fits too). The same goes for basement and attic space. If you're managing inventory in a storeroom, consider creating an overspill space and be ruthless about not filling it with general stock (this is easier said than done). This area can be used to break up deliveries when the stock room is almost at capacity, and will allow you to filter inventory back into the main room in a more structured way.


2. Good access is vital

To avoid injury and delays, good access is key. If you're just starting your business, check to see if your loading area is big enough for an articulated lorry and be careful about steps or multi-level storage. Most trucks or vans will arrive with trolleys, but bigger deliveries might need pallet trucks or even a forklift (with a trained forklift driver). If your storage space is being used as a distribution hub, also consider access to main roads and proximity to a Post Office can be a great time saver.

3. Leave room to work in 

One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to storage, is having only enough room for the stock itself. This makes it much more difficult (and unpleasant) when it comes to organising or turning around your inventory - not to mention making it difficult to access older merchandise (that might be at the back). Including workspaces within your storage rooms will allow you to be more agile when it comes to your stock - and the addition of a table and chair can make like a lot easier.

4. Check Mobile Phone Signal 

If your storage building is off-site, make sure to check your mobile phone connection in the room itself. Not only will this allow colleagues and truck drivers to call you if there's an issue, it means you can use a dongle for Internet access too (especially important if your business is online and you need to field queries from customers). If you're looking at a self storage facility or industrial unit, ask to see several spaces to make sure you choose the one that receives the best signal (rooms near the entrance tend to have a better signal than those deeper inside the building).

5. Divide your stock 

Another clever use of space is to divide different products – sale inventory and point of sale stock for example – into different rooms. This can make it easier to break up and turn around, and can help you better keep track of quantities. The shape of the room can also help you structure and organise your inventory too ('L' shaped rooms can naturally divide two types of stock).

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