With so many portable storage companies in a crowded online space, researching options for storage near you can be frustrating. There are also a variety of marketing techniques companies use to get in front of people that can be a bit misleading.
Fortunately, we’re here to help you get the most out of your online research for “storage near me” and similar searches. Here are some tips to help you find the right storage solution:
Watch for Paid Listings
Paid listings, or paid search ads, are a good thing. They get relevant businesses in front of people searching for certain terms that are relevant to the advertiser’s business. That being said, it’s important to at least be aware that the top results in most search engines like Google are actually paid listings. These paid listings are tied to certain keyword terms and will often be listed above organic, non paid-advertisement, results. It can be difficult to tell the difference between these paid listings and regular listings, but there is usually an “ad” indicator to tell you what is a paid post and what’s not. (See the image below for an example.) So make sure you look for both paid and organic listings in your search results.
These paid advertisements are not inherently bad, of course, but they are more easily accessible to companies like lead resellers or affiliate businesses that will end up taking a part of the revenue from the actual moving company servicing your needs. This, in turn, causes your prices to be higher than if you were to work directly with a storage or moving company. Look for paid ads that appear to be the final company you’ll be doing business with.
Use the Right Search Terms
Next, make sure you’re using the right search terms and including your city, if possible. Search engines will automatically detect your location if your browser allows for it, so you may need to enter a local city or state to see better results. You also don’t want to get too specific or vague. Here are some good and bad examples for storage containers in Arlington, TX:
Bad examples:
- “storage”
- “texas storage options”
- “storage containers near my house at 123 Main St., Arlington TX”
Good examples:
- “storage near me”
- “storage containers addison”
- “storage solutions dallas-fort worth”
Don’t Forget About Other Tabs
Also be aware of the tab or section you’re using for your search. Maps, images, news and other sections will be available for your search results and search engines will often rearrange these based on what they think you want to see. So if you’re looking for physical locations of storage facilities near you, the map might be your best bet. But if you’re doing research about companies and want to see their website for covered service area, all listings is a better tab.
Call Top Prospects
Every reputable storage company should have a working phone number and giving them a call is a great way to test that the phone number is legitimate, that the company has good customer service and that they have proper answers to your questions. If a phone call is difficult, it might be a sign the company is difficult to work with as well. Consider calling the top two or three companies you’re considering and don’t just go with your first quote.
If you’re looking for the right storage solution near you, look no further than SAM (Store & Move). Contact us for a no-obligation quote today.