Storage and distribution are a key component in online businesses. Customers ordering online want their purchases as quickly as possible after they have ordered and paid, and in pristine condition. This is often overlooked when starting an online business and those that get it right can enjoy a smooth operational flow of goods when the sale is made.
When developing an online business, you know your users are used to buying online. Therefore, when you create your e-commerce website and delivery system and sell direct it must be up to standard from the start. You can’t have any glitches in the system.
When a customer visits your website and orders, you will probably offer a turnaround time for delivery. The distribution of online orders is as important as creating the sale. Promises must be fulfilled to keep a good reputation. Stock must be in a good condition, and the courier partner reliable.
Self-storage units are commonly used by online businesses as their storage and distribution centers for their stock.
We at Stop & Store Sutton in Ashfield are well placed to be the storage and distribution partners for online businesses in the area.
As the storage of stock takes up space, and the comings and goings of courier services are a disruption to your home life, offsite storage using one of our units is a perfect solution. Besides looking professional, it helps reduce the pressure of having space at home cluttered with business matters.
Stop & Store, Sutton in Ashfield offers a range of storage unit options designed to accommodate a wide cross-section of space requirements.
The benefits of using self-storage for your online business are many:
Reduce Expenses and Save Money by renting self storage in Sutton in Ashfield
Changing trends and economic circumstances have caused every business to re-look at their expenses and trim overheads wherever possible. Office and warehouse rental are one of the bigger expense categories in a business. So, it is natural that if any savings can be found in this area, business owners will gladly look at the options on offer.
As landlords face reducing numbers of rentals, they are offering keen prices, and even being prepared to create smaller spaces to accommodate prospective renters. This is a good time to be in the market for rental space, as there are likely to be some good deals on offer.
However, the same commitment to signing a lease is required. In these economic times, this may be a difficult decision for some business owners to make.
This is one of the reasons why self-storage is the answer. Before signing up a long-term option involving a lease that binds and commits your business way into the future, look at what self-storage offers you:
- The simple fact that there is no contract is a distinct advantage over traditional leases.
- Your contract is month to month which you can renew as and when, upsize, or downsize as you need.
- A notice period of two weeks is required if you intend to vacate the storage unit.
- Units vary in size from 12 sq feet to 200 sq feet, giving you a whole lot of flexibility
- Unlike a lease, you don’t have to have cash tied up in the form of a deposit.
- If you move in during the month the space charge is prorated.
Self-storage and Inventory Management
As we have seen the cost of storage and distribution is a big factor in determining the end price of goods sold. The advantage of online sales is that all the items sold can be distributed from one point. This cuts out many other channels like distributors and wholesalers or brokers. It also cuts down enormously on labour costs. In summary, it’s a very efficient way to sell.
Your online business can digitize your stock and distribution system giving an instant picture of inventory on hand, storage, shipment, and customer detail. This will give you a touch of the button information management system that gives total control of the sales and distribution system.
Imagine the advantage you have over conventional sales channels. We don’t have to tell you that the added mark up of a distributor and retailer will mark the price of your product up through the roof. During this process, your stock is still unsold, with you as a traditional producer having no control over your customer or being able to influence the level of service given.
With online selling, you deal directly with your customer, ship as soon as you can, and from there retain your customers on a database for purposes of marketing more of your goods to them.
As all your transactions are computerized, you have control of all the information you need. Stock registers are replaced by integrated databases, traditional sales channels are replaced by online marketing, and feedback is immediate through customer-generated feedback and rating mechanisms.
Keep your business model straightforward and easy to administer. Self-storage for your distribution. Don’t you think this is the perfect solution?
Final Thoughts storage sutton in ashfield
As an online business, you have dispensed with the classic distribution channels where stock is made and resold to resellers who all require stock for further distribution. This way of selling has its own drawbacks and has been used for ages. These include the difficulty of getting customer feedback, forecasting demand for products, and the management of returns and recalls.
Online marketing requires one location storage, with a shipment tracking mechanism for the customer, and an immediate means to gauge the demand of a product and having inventory on hand in quantities that are appropriate and not collecting dust in a distributor’s warehouse.
Self-storage is one of your best options for the storage of goods for your online business. You can access your unit any time, to receive deliveries, pack stock, or even bring customers to see your operation, and this can all be distributed professionally by a courier service. What you get:
- You get a pin to enter the premises and are the only key holder.
- Access is seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
- Safety and security are guaranteed through CCTV monitoring.
- Convenient access and good location for incoming deliveries or collections by couriers.
This is a good time to take up self-storage for your business.
In addition, there are always deals offered by Stop & Store Sutton in Ashfield, helping you to start up and grow your online business.
Contact us on 01623 372051 for self storage service in Sutton in Ashfield and nearby area.
Location: Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 1BP