Tips For Using A Rented Storage Unit To Organize Products You Sell Online
If you have a side business selling things through online auction sites or an online store, then you need a good way to organize all of your goods so they don't take over your home. Renting a storage unit could be a good idea, so you don't need to keep boxes stacked in a spare bedroom or your garage. Here are some tips for keeping your unit organized.
Take Pictures Of Everything That Goes In Storage
If you buy goods wholesale, pick them up at yard sales or get them from dollar stores, it won't take long to forget what you have if boxes get shoved to the back of your storage unit. If your business grows, you might consider renting office space, but when you need to control costs, working out of a small rented unit helps save money. However, you need to work harder at staying organized. One thing that helps is to take pictures of each item before you put it in storage. You can use the pictures on your website to help sell the item and if you ever want to be reminded of what you have in the unit, all you need to do is scroll through your photos.
Store Things On Shelves
When possible, keep things on shelves so you can see and find them more readily. Plus, this keeps boxes off of the floor so they don't draw dampness. You'll probably want to keep your goods in clear plastic totes or clear bags to keep dust and bugs away from them, and by having everything on shelves, you know right where they are when you need to collect goods to send out to your customers.
Keep The Center Open For A Table
Try to keep shelves confined to the walls or create rows with aisles between them to maximize space. Having open space in part of the room allows you to put in a table and chair so you can stage supplies for photos and stack them for packing. Keep packing supplies in storage too so you can bring shipping labels to the storage unit when you pick up your items. You can pack them using your table and then they'll be ready to take to the post office. Buy a small folding table and chair so they can be moved out of the way when necessary.
Consider Climate Control
Depending on the type of things you put in the storage unit, you may not need climate control. However, climate control is a nice feature if you need to spend time in the unit taking photos or packing orders. Plus, some items store better under controlled temperature and humidity.
For more information, reach out to a storage unit rental facility near you.