Storelocal Team Dec 29, 2023 8:30:45 AM 13 min read

Self Storage Analytics: Metrics Facility Owners Should Track

In the competitive landscape of the self storage industry, comprehending relevant metrics and data is pivotal for facility operators and owners to make informed decisions.

Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) can provide valuable insights into operational efficiency, customer behavior, demand, and market trends. This guide will elucidate the crucial metrics that self storage facility owners should monitor to optimize their business performance and stay ahead in the market.

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Key Metrics to Track

Tracking these key metrics can provide valuable insights into the performance of your self storage facility and help you make informed decisions.

Occupancy Rates

The occupancy rate is the most crucial metric for self storage facility owners. It indicates the percentage of units occupied by tenants against the total number of units available. 

The higher the occupancy rate, the more profitable your business is likely to be. It also reflects how well you are utilizing your storage space and helps you identify any vacancies that need to be filled.

Note that there is a difference between physical occupancy and economic occupancy, which takes concessions and discounts into consideration. Operators should monitor the number of concessions offered to ensure their economic occupancy isn’t drastically lower than the physical occupancy. 

self storage users

Monthly Rent Roll

Rent roll is the total revenue generated by your facility on a monthly basis. It includes rental fees, administrative charges, and any other sources of income. 

Tracking your rent roll can help you analyze the effectiveness of your pricing strategy and identify potential areas for improvement.

Average Length of Stay (ALOS)

The ALOS metric represents the average duration that tenants stay at your facility. It can be calculated by dividing the total number of occupied days by the number of move-outs during a specific period. A higher ALOS indicates that your facility is attracting long-term customers, which can lead to stable revenue streams.

Conversion Rates

Conversion rates track the percentage of potential leads that turn into paying tenants. It can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your marketing and sales efforts. By monitoring this metric, you can identify areas for improvement in your lead generation and conversion processes.

Customer Lifetime Value (CLTV)

CLTV is the estimated total revenue a customer will generate during their entire tenure at your facility. It takes into account not just the rental fees but also any additional services or products they purchase from you. This metric helps you understand the long-term value of your customers and how to retain them.

man loading cart with cardboard boxes into self storage unit

Rent Per Square Foot (RPSF)

RPSF is the average rental rate per square foot of storage space. It indicates how much revenue you are generating from each unit of self storage space in your facility. By tracking RPSF, you can analyze the effectiveness of your pricing strategy and make adjustments accordingly.

Revenue Management Index (RMI)

The RMI metric compares the average rental rate of your facility to the market average. It helps you identify whether you are charging too little or too much for your self storage units and make necessary adjustments to stay competitive.

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

CAC is the total cost incurred to acquire a new customer. It includes marketing expenses, sales commissions, and any other associated costs. By tracking this metric, you can analyze the effectiveness of your customer acquisition strategies and optimize your spending.

Tenant Lifetime Value (TLTV)

Similar to CLTV, TLTV calculates the total revenue a tenant will generate over their entire tenure at your facility. However, it takes into account the costs associated with retaining that customer, such as maintenance and administrative expenses. This metric helps you analyze the profitability of each tenant and identify areas for improvement in your retention strategies.

Benefits of Tracking Self Storage Data at Your Facilities

In the fast-paced and competitive world of self storage, tracking relevant metrics is crucial for facility owners to remain successful. These key performance indicators provide valuable insights into your self storage business.

Tracking these key metrics can provide several benefits for self storage facility owners. Some of them include:

Enhanced Decision Making

By understanding these metrics, facility owners can make informed decisions regarding pricing strategies, marketing efforts, and operations. It allows them to identify areas for improvement and take necessary actions to optimize their business performance.

Competitive Advantage

In a highly competitive industry like self storage, staying up-to-date with market trends and customer behavior is crucial. Tracking and reporting these metrics can help facility owners stay ahead of the competition by identifying potential opportunities and challenges in the market.

Improved Operational Efficiency

By monitoring occupancy rates, revenue streams, and customer behavior, facility owners can optimize their operations to improve efficiency. This can lead to cost savings and increased profitability.

Better Customer Retention

Tracking metrics such as ALOS, CLTV, and TLTV can help facility owners understand their customers' needs and preferences. This can lead to the development of personalized retention strategies, resulting in better customer satisfaction and loyalty.

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Increased Profitability for Storage Facilities

Ultimately, tracking these metrics can lead to increased profitability for self storage facility owners. By identifying areas for improvement, managing assets, and making data-driven decisions, they can optimize their business performance and stay ahead in the market.

How a Storelocal Consultant Can Help

Storelocal offers a team of experienced consultants who can provide guidance and support in tracking these key metrics for self storage facility owners. Our team can help analyze your data, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies to optimize performance at your self storage properties.

With our expertise and industry knowledge, gain valuable insights to stay competitive in the self storage market. Contact us today to see how we can help.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you analyze self storage markets?

Several metrics and factors can be used to analyze self storage markets, such as population growth, average household income, and existing competition. Storelocal's team of consultants can assist in analyzing these factors and provide recommendations for market entry or expansion.

What is the best way to track key performance indicators for a self storage facility?

The best way to track key performance indicators for a self storage facility may vary depending on the specific needs and goals of the facility. However, using software tools specifically designed for self storage analytics can provide accurate and timely data to track these metrics effectively.

While no one can predict the future with complete certainty, tracking relevant metrics and analyzing market trends can provide insights into potential future trends. Storelocal consultants can use this information to help facility owners make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. It is always beneficial for self storage facility owners to track these metrics consistently to stay relevant and competitive in the industry.