need.a.space | Need a Space

Top tips for starting your online store

In the digital 21st century the internet is essential for businesses to market themselves, create lead generation, network and promote goods and services. An online shop offers so many benefits that a physical shopfront cannot. Your overheads, due to the fact that there are no physical costs for property rental etc., are immediately reduced. But it would be a mistake to completely put your need for physical space in your ecommerce venture to one side. Logistics are going to be an important part of your approach as you will see below.

Identify your audience. The internet can more or less reach everyone on our little planet so you need to streamline and optimise the content so your target market can find you. When they do reach your online shop the content needs to motivate to buy. So get a good idea as to what your classic buyer’s preferences would be and what would trigger their interests.
If you are building an ecommerce site yourself use only the big reputable brands such as ekmpowershop. You can also approach a good web designer or developer who will put your ideas into action at a slightly higher cost.
Taking tip 1 a step further, you can use software applications to generate shopping selections based on what your visitors have bought before. Not only will this entice them back to buy again but they will also be likely to become more loyal to your brand alone. The knock on from this is they are also more likely to recommend it to their friends.
You need to make your online shop mobile responsive. Firstly, a huge section of ecommerce buyers are now buying directly from their mobiles and secondly Google prioritises sites which have actually made their sites mobile responsive. If you don’t take heed of this second point you may not get anywhere near page one of the search engines.
Logistics are very important and often forgotten. Unfortunately not everything is going to happen through the power of the internet. Any product that has been bought needs to be sent out to buyer. Have a clear process in mind as to how this will take place. Also bear in mind that even though you do not need a shop front you are definitely going to need a place to store your items. How will this be stored? If you do not have space at home consider cheap self-storage options
Payment flow can seem a bit of a nightmare at first but it is the most important function in your online shop. The information at the following website can give a clearer idea as to how payment gateways work click here
Start small and then get big. To make sure the processes you have developed are going to work sufficiently well consider putting shops on the bigger sites first (i.e. amazon and ebay). This will give you a much better idea as to what the whole process will involve and allow you to streamline your ideas for logistics.

To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and London area click here

How businesses in Kent can save money and streamline logistics with local self-storage

Many people just relate the need for self-storage with moving home, managing household overflow items and removals. But businesses can also benefit from the facilities offered by a secure self -storage service.

As a Canterbury based family run business ourselves, we have learnt from real experience over the many years since our establishment – especially how different industries may utilise extra storage space. Self-storage can streamline budgets, enhance the working environment, simplify logistics and create both time and space to the local business manager.

As a business, asset management is essential and there is not always the space available within your own property to store valuable assets and documents. Below is a list of how our loyal clients are currently using our storage space here in Canterbury Kent:

Businesses moving Premises

Just like the residential world there may be an issue with moving premises and assets may need to be stored until the business property is ready. In other cases, businesses may be moving into a smaller environment and so need extra external space. We have also had clients who need to move their company assets out of the property for a temporary period due to redecoration or renovation.

Seasonal Stock

Seasonal stock can be a logistical nightmare. As stock can be used in the new season, it can be stored with Need A Space until the next season cycle.

Overflow of stock

Sometimes a business manager can only rely on a crystal ball to determine how much stock is going to be needed and there are times when there may be an overflow. But most of all, we want to be there when your business thrives, when you need that extra space to make way for that extra stock.

Events managers

There is a great deal of logistics involved in event management. Storage space to keep materials between events can be an absolute match winner.

Sales Representatives

Sales reps often need to travel over wide geographical areas and carry large supplies of equipment to show to prospective clients. Need A Space offers the storage space to allow reps to keep work materials in one central place

South London businesses

Being located in Kent and just outside the capital city we have found our self- storage facility is especially useful for south London businesses looking to store assets at lower costs than they would find in London. Many organisations based in South London in areas such as Bexley, Bromley, and Sidcup use our services because our rates are so much cheaper than London rates.

Internet companies

Ecommerce sites continue to be on the rise and we can offer the storage space to cater for online stock. We offer storage units for all online stores and shops such as eBay and Amazon. Many thriving online businesses start at home and use the garage as a storage facility but soon find an external cheap self-storage solution is necessary.

To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help businesses in Kent and London area click here

Top tips to take the stress out of moving

Moving home can be one of the most exciting and fulfilling things you ever do. But with all the logistics, professionals involved, and transfer of high finances it can also be the most stressful. Some say it is the most stressful action you will ever take. So let’s put a cap on that! We have put together essential tips to make that move just a little bit easier.

An appropriate conveyancing lawyer

The legal complexities involved when moving home can be an absolute nightmare. Add to that your most precious financial asset (your home) and the value of your family’s future and it is clear you do not want to be doing this alone whatever cost it will be saving you. Ensure you have obtained a reputable conveyancing lawyer. You can find an appropriate lawyer at the Solicitors Regulation authority or the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

Budget for the whole process

Moving house can be an expensive time and you do not want to be faced with any shock fees half way through the process. It is therefore a good idea to calculate expected expenses at the outset so you can budget properly. Sit down with your Conveyancing lawyer and go through those expected out-goings. Create an on-going excel sheet that highlights monies that are spent and when fees need to be paid.

Self –storage services to help moving

One of the most common stresses of moving home is when you are caught in a property chain. Moving into your new home maybe delayed even though you have sold your own home. In these kind of circumstances you may need to consider storage facilities. Self-storage services allow you to place your valuables at a reduced cost.

Don’t pack last minute

Allow yourself time to pack your belongings when it is time to go – don’t make it a last minute project. You will just want to take the possessions you value and need, so use this time to have a purge on what you have. Try to categorise as you store in boxes (for instance kitchen utensils together; lounge ornaments together; bathroom towels together) and label the boxes – it will make unpacking a great deal simpler.

Expect the worst

There are likely to be many people involved in your move and they will all have their own unique goals so don’t expect things to happen as smoothly. Tell yourself from the start there are likely to be delays, disappointments and time changes. This way you will be emotionally ready to deal patiently if things go wrong.

Do you know where you’re going to?

Moving home can be a long-winded affair. Use that time to get to know your new neighbourhood. The moving day will be very exciting but it will also be quite a transition if you haven’t already put out some feelers. Find out where the closest shops are, where the nearest pub is (spend some nights there!) and let people know you will soon be moving to the area.

The Most important box

On the day you move you and your family are going to need to survive when all your possessions are still in boxes. So the most important box you pack is going to be the last one you put in the removals van (so it is easiest to get to). This should contain necessary items that will get you and your family through the day unscathed, such as toiletries, phone chargers, bottles of water, snacks and provisions for hot drinks. It is important to have easy access to the supplies that will keep you well-fed and hydrated on this busy day, and that you have everything readily available so you can fall straight into bed at the end of it.

Need A Space is a self-storage facility based in Canterbury which offers secure storage for people moving home. You can use our Space estimator so you can get a clear idea as to how much space you will need. Let’s start as we mean to go on by saving money! We can help with transport by providing free van hire and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. CCTV and high security infra-red beams makes sure that your valuables are absolutely safe. To learn more click here

How self-storage can offer a smooth move for students

If you are a student in Kent (especially the Canterbury, Faversham and Whitstable areas) then Need A Space self-storage could solve a lot of problems for you. With the intrinsic seasonal nature of student life and the inevitable requirement to pack up all your stuff at the end of the year, you are likely to have to pack up your belongings – only to have to take them all back again for your next term.

You could leave stuff at your temporary address but is this really a safe option? Can you really take that risk of hoping your valuables are going to be there when you get back?

Precious learning materials and recreational possessions

Your belongings are precious and it is sometimes awe-inspiring how much a student can accumulate over a year – or even a short period of a term. Being in a place of learning you will no doubt have loads of text books and course materials to hang onto. That’s before you even start thinking about all the new clothes you bought, house utensils, white goods and recreational paraphernalia such as CD’s DVD’s and vinyl (yes vinyl is coming back apparently!)

Is there still space at home?

To add to the problem you have got your home environment to think about. You have been away sometime and your parents may not welcome you bringing everything but the kitchen sink back into the house. There may not even be the room.

Transport can be a problem

There is also the problems of transporting what you have back home. Students tend to live quite a distance from their birth home while at College or University – so there is an extra cost here. The logistics of it all could be quite stressful too. If you have your own car you are lucky but can you pack it all in? If you are getting a train you almost seem to be beaten at the first hurdle.

Self-storage in Canterbury could be the solution

Need A Space is a self-storage facility based in Canterbury which offers secure storage for students. You can use our Space estimator so you can get a clear idea as to how much space you will need. Let’s start as we mean to go on by saving money! We can help with transport by providing free van hire and you will be welcomed by our friendly staff. CCTV and high security infra-red beams makes sure that your valuables are absolutely safe. We can provide packaging tools and to help cut costs further, groups of students can easily store their valuables in one place together.

To learn more about how Need A Space self-storage can help students in the Canterbury area click here

How secure mailboxes can offer business efficiency and peace of mind

A secure mailbox is essential for peace of mind. With reports of deliveries that never arrive and precious packages which are tampered with or stolen, it makes us think twice about sending our valuable documents and parcels through the post. Businesses especially need to be sure that they can communicate internally between various locations and with their clients.

At Need A Space in Canterbury we provide a service for both residential customers and businesses with our secure mailboxes. As a storage company offering storage space to individuals moving we can offer services to anyone nationally and globally. Locally we can assist businesses throughout Canterbury, Faversham and Whitstable.

A secondary address

With the onset of the recession and the rise in property rents business now often share the same premises. This can cause confusion and chaos when mail is being delivered. A great solution for this is a secure mailbox at a secondary address. If we are within your location we can offer absolute security where you no longer have to wonder whether mil was delivered or not.

A safer address

There is no getting away from the fact that there are some regions in the UK which are more vulnerable than others. High risk areas would be those urban locations which have high crime rates and identity theft. By creating a secure mailbox closeby to your home or business you can re-gin your peace of mind.

Filter different department’s mail

As your business grows you may well find you have mail that needs to be posted to various groups of people. We can set up one or two secure mailboxes for you relative to the different departments so that your mail is automatically filtered – saving time nd money.

Valuable packages

For extra safety it is always useful to set up a secure mailbox and address where you know delivery is more or less guaranteed.

To learn more about our secure mailbox services covering

Faversham, Whitstable and Canterbury click here

Our top tips for safe efficient packing!

At Need A Space we like to believe that our storage facilities are the best quality and the cheapest you are going to find around Kent. We offer services to cover all elements of the self-storage cycle from Van Hire, maximum security, use of fork lift trucks, unloading bays and flexibility around the size of your storage units. But even we have to accept that if our customers do not pack their valuables well, accidents may happen.

Our success has been built on offering optimum customer care. That is why we want to make sure your self-storage experience is one that will give you peace of mind and one that you will wish to repeat in the future. With that in mind here are our top tips for safe packing in self-storage:

A box is more than just a box

Cardboard boxes have had a bit of a bad press, but as with everything, if you buy cheap expect to get what you pay for. Don’t forget the box not only needs to hold your valuables it needs to be able to withstand transit and other boxes or objects being placed upon it. Take a look at our online box supplies

Secure those flaps

Many boxes are designed to have interlocking flaps but this is not secure on its own and can make the box weak when moved from place to place. Always use strong quality tape to stick down open ends of the box (and the bottom)

Don’t have a smashing time!

With breakables such as glass, porcelain and crockery it is a good idea to bed the bottom of the box first of all with scrunched up paper. Cover this layer with a layer of paper and start packing your heaviest items by wrapping them well in newspaper. Between each layer of articles place a layer of scrunched up paper. At the top should be your smaller lighter items.

Name that box!

Don’t forget you need to know where everything is for easy access at any time within your self-storage unit, so label each box. Try and ensure contents of each box have some relevance to each other for easy labelling.

Get the right filler

You need filler within the boxes to prevent your valuables colliding with each other in transit and to prevent the box crushing easily. Use filler such as bubble wrap to take up that extra space. Remember only to use proper filler material as it could get into the workings of appliances.

Less is more

It is better to have less in your box and use more boxes as you will need to be able to move the boxes around easily without strain.

Think digital safety

Protect monitors, screens, scanner glass and other fragile parts with cardboard or pieces of bubble wrap or foam and tape. Mark glass parts as fragile to avoid leaning heavy objects against them.

For more Packaging tips from Need A Space click here

To check out our packaging products click here

To learn more about our Self – storage services in Faversham, Whitstable and Canterbuty click here

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Contact Details

Tel: 01227 751673 Mobile: 07841 260 500 Adrress: 1-5, Thunderhill Business Park, Hickmans Green, Boughton-under-Blean, Faversham ME13 9NT

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