This Summer’s Best Blogs to Binge for Self Storage Operators
- Jason Zickler
- Jul 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Summer is the season of bingeing—TV shows, podcasts, and yes, content. With many storage operators taking a breather before the fall leasing season ramps back up, it’s the perfect time to lean into the familiar “binge-worthy” format. People are in a mode where they’re catching up, refocusing, and looking for insights to sharpen their edge before Q4.
From fluctuating demand to increased digital competition, staying ahead of the curve means always trying new things and being flexible. Below is your 2025 mid-year marketing digest: key areas to prioritize, plus resources to help you learn and take actions.
1. Start Retargeting Ads
Don’t expect every visitor to rent the first time checking out your website. Stay top of mind as they continue their buying journey!
Retargeting campaigns are one of the most effective (and underused) tools in storage marketing. These simple, low-cost ads follow visitors who’ve already shown interest—nudging them back when they’re ready to make a move.
Dive deeper: How Retargeting Ads Help Your Storage Facility
2. Still Counting on SEO? Time to Review What You’re Paying For
If you're waiting for SEO to fill your units, we’ve got bad news. Search engine rankings have become harder to earn and even when you’re in the top spot, you don’t get the clicks.
The truth? Paid search outperforms SEO for self storage in both speed and intent. Especially if you’re paying a high cost agency fee and not sure what you’re getting in return!
3. If Your Google Ads Are Set to PMAX, It’s time to Switch
We’ve seen it too often—operators bragging about low CPCs, but struggling with occupancy. That’s usually a sign your ads are being sprayed across irrelevant channels and not getting high intent prospects to visit your site.
Google’s Performance Max (PMAX) campaigns sound powerful, but they are not meant for self-storage facilities, they often waste your budget and bury your best-performing keywords. If you’re serious about converting renters, it’s time to get serious about your search ads.
Learn why it matters: Why PMAX Ads Suck for Self Storage (and What to Do Instead)
4. Modernize Reporting and Track What’s Actually Working
More spend ≠ more success. The key to smarter marketing in 2025 is simplifying and modernizing your analytics and attribution—knowing what’s truly driving rentals, not just clicks.
If you’re still making decisions based on gut feel or monthly reports, you’re behind. Watch our webinar to see how top operators are using real-time tracking to reduce wasted spend and scale what’s working.
5. Upgrade Your Website Experience
Even with the right ads and targeting, a clunky website or check out experience will lose the rental. Consumers expect fast, mobile-friendly, frictionless booking experiences—especially in self storage, where convenience is everything.
If your site isn't built for easy online move-ins, it's time to upgrade. If you’re a Self Storage Manager user, check out the new SSM Web Platform, powered by Adverank, which was built with this exact goal in mind: better UX, smarter data, more rentals. (Oh…and it’s way more affordable)
Wrapping Up: Your 2025 Mid-Year Checklist ✅
To finish the year strong, here’s what we recommend:
🔁 Add retargeting ads to stay top of mind, especially if you’re running search ads
🚫 Stop relying on SEO to drive move-ins and paying high agency fees
🎯 Reevaluate your ad campaign types—especially if using PMAX or other automations
📊 Set up proper tracking to connect spend with rentals
🖥️ Review and invest in your website for seamless online rentals and improved conversion rates
