Go With the (Rental) Flow

Don’t Disrupt This Critical Step in a Self Storage Customer Journey

Self storage operators spend a lot of time and money getting potential customers to click on ads and Google results. So why settle for a check out experience that is less than ideal?  Digital ad spend is only worth it if those clicks convert into rentals. So let’s put a spotlight on the most fragile step of the self storage customer journey — the online rental flow!

Too often, operators unintentionally disrupt the process by sending prospects to a new tab, an off-brand pop-up, or even a third-party site. Each extra click or shift in the environment creates uncertainty. Instead, the best operators are now adopting embedded rental flows that keep the entire checkout experience “inside” their own branded website.

Why "Going with the Flow" Matters

1. Trust Is Built on Consistency

When customers stay on your domain, with your branding and navigation intact, they feel secure. A sudden redirect or unfamiliar interface introduces doubt: “Am I still dealing with the same company?” This is the last thing you want when you’re about to ask for credit cards and other personal information.

2. Reduced Friction = Higher Conversions

Every extra step is a chance for abandonment. Redirects, pop-ups, and multi-window flows slow down decision-making and especially frustrate mobile users. Embedded flows keep customers focused, remove distractions, and deliver a checkout experience as smooth as Amazon or other big brands people have become accustomed to dealing with. 

When it comes to digital user experience, you’re not just competing with other self storage websites, but with all other digital experiences users have grown to expect! 

3. Brand Equity at the Moment of Commitment

Checkout isn’t just a transaction — it’s the moment your brand either reinforces professionalism or loses credibility. Embedded flows let you showcase trust signals (secure payment badges, your logo, your contact info) exactly where it matters most. Especially because we’re asking for ID uploads, credit card, and other personal information!

Best Practices for the Rental Checkout Process

• Stay Embedded – Keep the rental experience fully integrated within your website.

• Keep Branding Consistent – Fonts, colors, and design should mirror the rest of your site.

• Highlight Security – Display trust markers (SSL, payment protection, contact info, privacy statements).

• Prioritize Payment and Basic Info Upfront -  This may sound counterintuitive, but don’t be afraid to ask for payment information in the first step. This way the user is committed to answer the remaining questions and online lease. 

• Streamline in Steps – Limit form fields and clicks to the essentials. Break it out into phases instead of asking for everything all at once.

• Mobile-First Design – Ensure the flow is touch-friendly and optimized for smaller screens. 50-70% of self storage website traffic is mobile! 

• Track Everything – If you’re sending users away, this breaks your native tracking and attribution capabilities. Embedded flows give you better analytics and control over conversion tracking data.

How Adverank Blocks Does It

For those on our Blocks website platform, your website isn’t just a marketing front door — it’s also the checkout counter. Our embedded rental flow keeps prospects inside your brand environment from the first click to completed rental. 

Make Checkout Your Competitive Advantage

Self-storage operators spend heavily to generate traffic to their site. Don’t lose them at the finish line because of a bad check out experience! By embedding the rental flow, you remove friction, reinforce trust, and maximize conversions (and a better return on your ad spending!). In a competitive market, this seemingly small detail can make the difference between losing a renter and gaining a loyal customer.