Posts filed under 'Web Services'
You may not know this, but I’m the co-author of Web Analytics For Dummies. I am also co-owner of Conversion Press, as well as a marketing communications firm.
Can I be blunt? I think self-storage industry service providers, facilities, vendors, et. al. are losing a great opportunity to do more business through the Web. That’s because many of the web sites are old, outdated, and don’t adhere to Conversion Design principles that lead customers not just to visit the site, but also to take the action you desire to take.
I beseech you, self-storage brethren, to come talk to us about your web site needs for two good reasons: the money you are losing and the money you could be making. I don’t usually use this blog to pitch our services, but I’ve broken my own rules because this is so vital and so misunderstood, and it’s making the industry look mediocre. We have beautiful properties and not-so-beautiful web sites.
Together, we can get you a self-storage web site that looks good, that performs well, that drives revenues from self-storage Internet marketing and Internet advertising initiatives and that puts a smile on your face as you run to the bank.
March 11th, 2008
Selfstoragedeals.com launched a program to charge self-storage facilities a discounted fee for leads, and a flat “Pay Per Move In” rate when the lead results in an actual client. “Some self storage facilities were concerned about buying leads without testing the quality first,” said Colin O’Brien Lead Salesman for Selfstoragedeals.com. “So to soften the blow, we are now offering them the option to pay heavily discounted rates for leads, and then a flat fee when a lead results in a move in.”
Leveraging the Internet is the right way for the self-storage industry to go. I’m not sure why we don’t see more of it. This is clearly the future and those who become familiar with the ways of the Net today will be positioned for today and the future. I am not specifically endorsing this site as I have not used it, but many people have and it’s worth checking into.
The website creates sales leads by allowing potential customers to log on and fill out a self storage quote request form. In this form customers specify the needed self storage unit size and the storage start date. Once the potential customer has entered their contact and location information, the website instantly forwards the lead to the storage facility that services the zip code specified.
Click here to visit the site.
August 15th, 2007
Today’s Internet threat environment is characterized by an increase in data theft, data leakage and the creation of targeted, malicious code for the purpose of stealing confidential information that can be used for financial gain, according to the latest Internet Security Threat Report from Symantec. The National Portable Storage Association, , a nonprofit membership association dedicated to the advancement of the portable storage industry, is helping the storage industry fight back with timely alerts about e-mail scams.Symantec reports high levels of coordinated attacks combining spam, malicious code, and online fraud. During the second half of 2006, spam made up 59 percent of all monitored e-mail traffic marking a steady increase over the first six months of 2006. Over the last six months of 2006, Symantec detected a total of 166,248 unique phishing messages, an average of 904 per day, marking a 6 percent increase over the first six months of 2006. Phishing messages attempt to get the recipient to disclose personal information that bad guys can use to steal their identities.
“Part of the solution to malicious spam lies in software products, but part of the solution also lies in vigilance,” said John Finnessy, CMP, Executive Director the NPSA. “The NPSA is keeping a close watch for e-mail scams that affect our membership and we have been successful in sounding the alarm and preventing the victimization of containerized storage vendors. The bottom line is this: don’t click on any links in an e-mail from a person or company you don’t know. You never know what’s malicious software could get installed on your site.”
Click here to read the rest of this release on FastPitch.
July 30th, 2007
Want some publicity for your storage facility? Then get involved in the web 2.0 world and start commenting on online newspaper stories about the industry — especially ones in your home town. It’s quick, it’s free and it’s effective. It’s called viral marketing. Why not give it a try? Social media is the wave of the future.
For all of you self-storage operators and consultants and real estate brokers in Arizona, here’s an article to get you going:
Click here to read: Can’t get a handle on clutter at home?
Just don’t say anything I wouldn’t say. In other words, tread carefully because if you don’t choose your words wisely they could come back to haunt you. It’s a balancing act. You need to know the ways of communicating in a socially networked web 2.0 world.
July 10th, 2007
Zacks Equity Research highlighted Public Storage (NYSE: PSA) as the Bull of the Day. Shares of PSA have traded down about 17% since mid-April.
Zacks attributes this to a correction in the sector as investors are taking profits after multi-year gains. Zacks thinks the sell-off has been overblown and PSA is still operating in an excellent environment for self-storage.
The company continues to have strong earnings momentum, and as the economy strengthens, the company should see even greater returns. With the acquisition of Shurgard, PSA removed a major competitor, and is by far the largest self storage operator in the U.S. Zacks is also encouraged by a slowdown in new supply coming on line in major markets.
This is good news for all of self-storage because PSA is a good indicator of industry health. I’m glad Wall Street is watching. It gives us a real look at the industry, not just what the internal pundits say. If I were in charge of marketing for Public Storage, I would amp up my marketing right about now. In fact, if I were marketing for any quality facility, now is the time to beef up marketing/branding campaigns to leverage this rebound.
July 3rd, 2007
A European self-storage company has redesigned its web site. New features on the website include a more user-friendly frequently asked questions, a storage unit size guide, enabling customers to decide the best size storage unit for them and a Order packaging supplies page where packing items such as boxes can be ordered separately or as packages.
This is a big improvement over the old site and I applaud the company for the upgrade. While the site does employ some elements of Conversion Design and usability, though, there is still an amateurish look to the scheme. Remember, your web site may be the first impression your potential customers have of your facility. It’s been said that it takes seven sequential good impressions to overcome a bad first impression.
Click here to see the web site for yourself.
May 24th, 2007
I’ve just launched VinylInsider.com, an online community where sign makers, graphic artists, vehicle wrappers and others who work with vinyl can network, share ideas, and keep up with the latest products and services that help you them that you do better.
The web site offers vinyl installers installation tips, tricks, training, and techniques 3M, Avery, Oracal, MACTac and Professional Decal Association of America experts. It also offers an interactive blog, vinyl application e-books, industry news, contests and photo galleries and other social media plays.
Click here to visit VinylInsider.com.
April 4th, 2007
Yellow Pages got you seeing red?
Yellow Pages ads are a colorful part of the marketing mix, but they may no longer be enough to keep you in the black. Millions of consumers are heading to the World Wide Web to search for cars, clothes – and, yes, storage. That makes Web services a critical part of your promotional strategy.
Are you ready to turn online traffic into online sales?
It’s not just about a pretty web site, though. It’s about converting visitors into customers. That takes a combination of aesthetics, site architecture, copywriting, search engine optimization and other cutting-edge strategies that draw the right people to your site.
That requires the technical ability, the design skills, and the Internet marketing savvy to develop an end-to-end web-based promotional strategy that breeds results.
October 31st, 2006
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