Having a secure and reliable location to store your products is key to running a successful business. If you don’t have sufficient space, you could end up losing customers by being unable to hold enough products to satisfy demand. If your storage system isn’t secure, you risk losing valuable stock.

If you opt for a third party service that ends up being unreliable, orders can get lost and shipments won’t be made on time. These are all crucial issues that need to be avoided in order to continue running operations smoothly. With this in mind, here are five tips to help you develop the best storage solution for your business.

Use the Right Storage Environment

Your storage environment needs to be safe from dampness, leaks and smells that can damage your products. This is especially important for perishable goods that need to be stored in climate-controlled spaces. The longer you can store these types of goods, the less you’ll need to dispose of in times of low demand.

To ensure your products are stored efficiently before shipping, consider using a reliable storage solution. The storage space unit benefits offered by Storefriendly can provide secure, climate-controlled environments that protect your goods from damage. This helps maintain product quality and availability, allowing you to meet customer demand without disruptions.

Consider having a cold room installed on your premises. Look for a company that can install chilled bespoke cold rooms for your goods. Even for non-perishable goods, a space that is chilled, clean, odour-free, and dry will help you avoid losing valuable stock to environmental damage and temperature fluctuations.

Utilise a Labelling System

Naturally, you don’t want to be looking for a needle in a haystack. Avoid spending hours looking for items by using a labelling system. Include detailed descriptions with dates and any other important information. You can modernise the process by labelling stock with QR codes and using scanners to create a digital inventory of your products. 

Focus on Efficiency

Whether you’re storing your products at home or at an off-site facility, making the most out of every square meter of space you have available will help you save money and time. A popular method to improve the efficiency of a storage space is to create a map and stick it to the wall. 

This way, you can refer to it in order to quickly find the items you’re looking for. Be sure to consider other aspects, such as the size of your items relative to their location. For instance, it would be better to store large, bulky items in the front of your storage space to make it easier to remove them.

Opt for Mobile Storage 

If you have stock that you won’t be shipping in the immediate future, you can use a mobile storage unit to offset some products and create more space at your primary storage facility. These services drop off a unit for you to fill, before sending it back to the company’s secure site. Keep in mind that they can cost more than traditional off-site facilities. 

Switch to Drop Shipping

Depending on the type of product you sell, drop shipping may be a viable option that completely eliminates the need for you to think about storage. With drop shipping, the supplier ships your product directly to the customer. 

As for whether drop shipping is a suitable alternative for your business, it depends on whether the pros outweigh the cons. Take a look at the needs and limitations of your business to determine what will work best.