We sat down after the recent FSSA Spring Show to chat about things we learned, conversations we had, and what we're looking forward to as we kick off the 2026 self storage Conference season! Before you get too far into the notes...we have an URGENT REQUEST! Storage sure is bananas! Next up we have the National SSA Spring Conference and Tradeshow in San Antonio! We're looking forward to seeing everyone again and having more conversations (and hopefully, more Edwards!) Book a

In self-storage, search marketing matters more than almost any other channel. We don’t sell something people casually browse for or browse based on impulse. No one wakes up excited to shop for storage. Self-storage is a problem-driven purchase tied to moves, life events, deadlines, and urgency. When someone searches, intent is high and the decision window is short. Your branding, reviews, facility features, discounts and offers only matter if they’re seen during these moments

Adverank was created to solve one problem. Take the guesswork out of where to spend digital marketing dollars across your self storage portfolio in order to maximize move-ins and improve occupancy.  The original recipe for the algorithm powering our budget recommendations analyzed occupancy data, occupancy goals, ad spend, and market search demand.  Like having an assistant, Adverank emails with recommendations to shift budget up or down depending on this calculation. Last fa

Self Storage marketing is easy to outsource. It’s also easy to get frustrated with. Leads start to fluctuate, reports conflict, costs go up and explanations only arrive after the month closes or in response to an angry email. Teams spend more time reconciling numbers and trying to understand recommendations than making decisions. The issue is not effort, expertise or intent. It is structural. Marketing works best when the engine is fully connected and operator-owned . When on

How to Make Confident Digital Marketing Decisions without Chasing Every Metric Perfect marketing attribution in self-storage is hard.   A single customer might discover your facility through a Google search on their phone, return a few days later on a desktop, click an ad, call your office, drive by the property, and then finally rent in person a week later. Along the way, cookies get blocked, devices switch, calls aren’t always logged cleanly, and walk-ins leave no digital t

A new year always brings new goals, but also new ways of thinking! The “marketing minds” at Adverank created these four short videos, each focused on a simple mindset shift that can materially change how you approach digital marketing now and into the future. These aren’t tactics or hacks. They’re reframes that help everything else work better. Mind Shift No. 1 : Stop Optimizing for Traffic. Start Optimizing for Occupancy It’s easy to feel good about marketing reports that s

Tis’ the season! Budget planning season! For self-storage operators, digital marketing is no longer optional or “nice to have.” It’s how future customers find you, compare prices, check availability, and ultimately decide where to rent. But budgeting and analyzing how much to spend and where to spend it, is where most operators get stuck. The good news? Creating a smart, data-driven digital marketing budget doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear framework, the right ben

A few weeks back, we were giving a demo to a regional self storage operator when they leaned toward the screen, eyebrows raised, and asked the question we’ve now heard a dozen times: “Wait… so I don’t need to contact you to make these changes?” Followed by… “How do I know what’s working, do I wait for a report from you?” Self storage operators are used to an old model for how to handle marketing. An agency or outside “marketing person” who updates your ads, fixes your website

Search is evolving fast. AI-driven answers, changing consumer behavior, and Google’s shifting ad formats are reshaping how renters find self storage. We recently explored this topic and discussed it with self storage operators during several round tables at a few SSA events. Best way to answer some of these tough questions is to start digging into some data and start interpreting it! So check out the infographic below as well as some additional thoughts and ideas from the tea

Excited to use Google’s latest “smart” features and experiment with automated bidding and optimization modes? You might want to think twice before handing over the controls.  In fact, for most self-storage operators, those automated tools are doing more harm than good. When “Smart” Isn’t Smart for Storage Google Ads is packed with AI-driven options: Smart Campaigns, Performance Max, max click automated bidding, maximize conversions, broad match recommendations, “optimized” ta

The future of search advertising is being rewritten by AI. From conversational interfaces and “AI Overviews” to new campaign types powered by machine learning, it’s clear Google is shifting its focus toward more automated, natural-language-driven experiences.

Let’s get straight to it: the storage industry is sitting on a mountain of outdated marketing advice. We’re here to change that. Because the truth is, the old-school rules of self-storage advertising don’t just underperform - they actively hold operators back. So before you write another blog post or spend hours on social media, let’s get bananas busting some self storage marketing myths. “Just Set It and Forget It” This one is a classic. We hear it all the time from operator

Self-storage operators are busy, smart, and practical. They rely on a variety of tools, partners, and experts to help them run their business.

Don’t Disrupt This Critical Step in a Self Storage Customer Journey Self storage operators spend a lot of time and money getting...

Summer is the season of bingeing—TV shows, podcasts, and yes, content. With many storage operators taking a breather before the fall...

We know getting prospective customers to your website from search and social media is critical. What about when someone visits your self...

Google would love for you to think Performance Max (PMAX) campaigns are the future of advertising. And for some industries, they might...

If you're investing in Google Search Ads or Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns for your self-storage business, you already know their...

It’s 2025! Understanding the self-storage online customer journey is no longer optional—it’s essential. With countless options at their...

Growing your self-storage footprint often introduces new challenges, your digital ad campaigns should remain hassle-free. Managing...