Self Storage SEO – Optimization Techniques That Work in 2024 [THREE PROVEN CASE STUDIES]

At Stigan Media, we specialize in optimizing search engine visibility for local self-storage businesses. Our dedicated SEO team are skilled in crafting strategies that significantly boost online presence and drive organic traffic.

How did we achieve such impressive results? Keep reading this article or save your time contact us for a free SEO audit for your self storage companies.

Let’s explore some of our impactful results:

1. Delta, BC’s Organic Traffic Surge: For a self-storage company in Delta, BC, we achieved a 129% rise in organic traffic within just one year. We concentrated on improving their Google My Business listing, engaging in local SEO tactics, on-page SEO and building authoritative backlinks to elevate their search engine rankings.

1. Start with Proper Keyword Research

Effective SEO for self-storage begins with thorough keyword research. This might seem straightforward, but it’s a critical and systematic process. As self-storage SEO experts, we’ve refined our approach to ensure the identification of the most beneficial keywords for the industry:

• Checking Keyword Search Volume: We ensure that the keywords we target have a significant search volume. For instance, a previous client was ranked #1 for ‘climate controlled self storage for musical instruments in Calgary, AB’, but this keyword had zero search volume, leading to no leads or website visits. We avoid such pitfalls.
• Understanding Keyword Search Intent: It’s crucial to align keywords with your business goals. Keywords like ‘self storage Vancouver’ have commercial and local intent, fitting perfectly for a self-storage business in that area. In contrast, informational keywords like ‘How to Prevent Flood Damage in Your Storage Unit’ might not be as effective for local business promotion, as they tend to yield general information articles unrelated to any specific location.
• Evaluating Keyword Difficulty: Using advanced tools like Ahrefs and Semrush, we assess the difficulty of ranking for each keyword. Our agency invests in these sophisticated tools to accurately gauge and select keywords that align with your budget. For clients with limited budgets, we focus on less competitive yet effective keywords that can still bring valuable SEO traffic and leads to your self-storage business.

Think of keyword research in self-storage SEO as laying the foundation for a house. If this step isn’t executed correctly, the rest of the SEO strategy won’t be as effective.

2. Double-Checking Initial Web Analytics Steps Before Proceeding to Actual SEO Work

Our approach at Stigan Media stands out because we don’t immediately jump into SEO tasks after finalizing keywords with our self storage clients. Instead, we take an extra step to thoroughly check all the web analytics tracking basics. This ensures that we can track the project accurately and provide our self-storage clients with a comprehensive SEO report, demonstrating the true value of our services.

• Verifying Google Analytics 4 Tracking: First, we ensure that Google Analytics 4 is properly set up to track your website’s data. This tool is essential for understanding visitor behaviors and measuring the effectiveness of our SEO strategies.
• Google Search Console Setup: We make sure that your site is correctly linked to Google Search Console. This tool is vital for monitoring your SEO performance and detecting any technical issues.
• Access to Google Business Page: Ensuring we have proper access to your Google Business Page is crucial for effectively managing your online presence, especially in local searches.
• Expanding Visibility on Maps: We add or confirm your self-storage business’s presence on Bing and Apple Maps, enhancing your visibility beyond Google, if not already present.

• Integration with High-End SEO Software: Your project is added to our advanced SEO software for precise tracking of your site’s position.
• Setting Up Goals in Google Analytics 4: Most importantly, we set up specific goals in Google Analytics 4 to accurately track conversions and leads, whether they come from a website form, phone calls, or other interactions. This helps us measure the actual ROI (Return on Investment) from your SEO campaign.

By ensuring these web analytics steps are thoroughly checked before starting the SEO work, we avoid the common pitfalls of many agencies that provide misleading reports. We are committed to showing you the actual value and results of your SEO investment.

3. Website SEO Architecture Audit

The next essential step in our process is evaluating your website’s current architecture. In most cases, we find several areas where improvements can be made, which benefit not only SEO but also user experience. For self-storage SEO, having a well-structured website link setup is crucial.

Example of the website architecture for Self Storage Website

During this phase, we focus on identifying the pages that are currently attracting traffic and are potential lead generators for your self-storage facility. These are the pages we prioritize for optimization. This ensures that our efforts are targeted and relevant.

In addition, we conduct a thorough review of your website’s internal linking structure. This involves ensuring that there are effective inbound links between all key pages. We also optimize the navigation bar and footer to enhance overall site usability and SEO performance.

4. SEO Content Optimization For Your Self Storage Facility

The next crucial step in our strategy is the content optimization of targeted pages. We begin by focusing on the pages selected for the self-storage keywords you’ve chosen, usually starting with a rewrite of their content. To align with Google’s algorithms, we use an advanced tool named Surfer SEO. This tool analyzes the content of top-ranking pages in search results and algorithmically determines the optimal keyword density for your content.

Once we have these insights, our experienced SEO copywriting team takes center stage. We collaborate with our self-storage clients to ensure all essential information is included on the page. Then, our copywriters skillfully craft high-converting content that integrates the necessary keywords as per our analysis.

The example of our self storage SEO content optimization via Surfer SEO

This balance is where many self-storage SEO agencies fall short, often resorting to lower-quality, outsourced writing that merely crams in keywords. While such an approach might temporarily boost SEO rankings, poor-quality content can deter users from staying on your website.

That’s why creating engaging, high-quality text is vital, and our in-house team of local writers excels in this aspect. They’re not only skilled in SEO writing but also in producing content that captivates your audience, ensuring a balance between SEO effectiveness and user engagement.

5. On-Page SEO Optimization

The next step in our process is to refine the on-page SEO, not just for the targeted pages, but across your entire website. Here’s a quick overview of the key tasks involved in optimizing your self-storage website for Google:

• Meta Titles Optimization: Include your primary keyword, such as ‘self storage’+ your location, to make your pages more relevant and visible in search results.
• Meta Description Optimization: While not a direct ranking factor, a well-crafted meta description can improve click-through rates, indirectly benefiting SEO.
• Alt Tags Optimization: Enhance image descriptions with natural and relevant keywords. This aids in optimizing your self-storage site’s images for search engines.
• H1s Optimization: Each page should have one H1 tag that clearly explains the page’s content. Incorporating the “self-storage” keyword here can be beneficial.
• H2..H6 Optimization: Utilize these headings to structure your content effectively for both users and search engines, but avoid overusing your targeted keyword.
• Schema Implementation: Schemas help explain your website to Google and optimize for rich snippets. For instance, including reviews about your self-storage facility in schemas can enhance visibility in search results.
• SEO Friendly URLs: Ensure that your URLs are structured effectively and include the targeted keyword. This step is typically addressed during the website architecture audit but should always be double-checked.
• Internal Linking: Establish a robust internal linking structure across your website, including the navigation bar and footer.
• NAP on Targeted Pages: As a local business, it’s crucial to include a map with your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) on relevant pages.
• Customer Testimonials: Add authentic testimonials with keywords to demonstrate credibility and trustworthiness to search engines.
• E-E-A-T Strategy: This involves showcasing your business’s “Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness”. We do this by highlighting certifications, awards, and detailed information about key team members on your self storage’s team page.

6. Local SEO and Google Business Profile Optimization

The Example of Google Business Profile ranking for self storages in New York

Local SEO is a key component of our self-storage SEO strategy. Since self-storage facilities are linked to specific locations, excelling in local search results is essential.

• Google Business Profile Linking and Optimization: Our first step is to ensure your website is well-connected with your Google Business Profile. We meticulously fill out and optimize all fields with the right keywords, including selecting relevant categories. This is a fundamental aspect of our self-storage SEO approach.
• Image Optimization: We also focus on updating and optimizing images on your Google Business Profile. Appealing and relevant imagery enhances your profile’s effectiveness.
• Service Area Optimization: Defining and optimizing your service areas are crucial steps. We ensure these areas accurately reflect where your potential clients are located.
• Regular Profile Updates: Maintaining an active and up-to-date Google Business Profile is another vital part of our self-storage SEO strategy. Regular posts keep your profile engaging and relevant. Also, make sure to update your hours especially on holidays.
• Encouraging Authentic Reviews: Reviews significantly impact your profile’s ranking. While our SEO expertise lays the groundwork, your active participation in building a solid reputation is invaluable. We encourage clients to seek genuine reviews, incorporating targeted keywords where possible. Our team assists by providing templates and responding to reviews in a way that supports your SEO efforts.
• Caution Against Fake Reviews: We strongly advise against fake reviews. Google’s ability to detect them is improving, and they can lead to severe penalties. Long-term thinking is crucial in self-storage SEO.
• Optimization of Bing Business Profile: Expanding beyond Google, we also optimize your Bing Business Profile (or Bing Places) to increase your online visibility.

These are the local SEO results we reached to one of our self storage clients:

Through this focused approach to local SEO and business profile optimization, we aim to enhance the online presence of your self-storage facility, ensuring it ranks effectively in local searches and attracts more potential customers.

7. Technical SEO for Self-Storage Business

Technical SEO is a complex but essential component of our self-storage SEO services. While some agencies might overlook this critical step, we go the extra mile to meet Google’s technical requirements for your website.

Fixing 301 and 404 Pages

Using Screaming Frog, a tool that helps us see your website the way search algorithms do, we identify and fix 301 redirects and 404 error pages. Our goal is to ensure all pages on your self-storage website return a 200 OK status code, indicating they are functioning correctly.

Speed Optimization

Speed is a key factor in SEO for self-storage websites. After Google’s emphasis on site speed in 2019, we use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to analyze and enhance your website’s loading time.

Mobile Version Inspection

We carefully check the mobile version of your self-storage site. Common issues like small font sizes, elements being too close, or broken styles can make the mobile experience unfriendly. Our SEO team identifies these issues, and our web development team rectifies them.

SSL Certificate Check

Ensuring your SSL certificate is valid and up-to-date is crucial. An expired certificate can lead search engines to mark your website as unsafe, potentially harming your rankings.

Our approach to technical SEO ensures that your self-storage business’s website meets the highest standards set by search engines, providing a solid foundation for all other SEO efforts.

8. Off Page SEO

The final, and arguably the most challenging yet crucial aspect of our self-storage SEO strategy is off-page SEO, primarily focusing on acquiring backlinks to your website. Many struggle with this step, as it’s not just about obtaining any backlinks, but about securing quality links from reputable domains. This is how we do it in our digital agency and this drives good results for our self storage clients.

Posting Your Website in Local Directories (Citations)

As a foundational step in our SEO for self-storage services, we carefully select and list your business in reputable local directories. This not only aids in link-building but also strengthens local SEO signals by consistently presenting your address and phone number.

Securing Valued Domain Guest Posts

Over the years, Stigan Media has fostered relationships with various website owners, allowing us to post on their domains and link back to our self-storage clients. We have a network of over 1000 reputable sites, which is a significant asset not commonly found in many agencies.

Disavowing Toxic Links

Sometimes, your site may acquire harmful backlinks, whether through spam, competitors, or other sources. Our team carefully reviews each backlink for quality. If any are deemed toxic, we add them to a ‘disavow’ file and submit it to search engines, essentially disassociating your site from these harmful links.

Our systematic approach to off-page SEO ensures that your self-storage business gains valuable backlinks, enhancing your website’s authority and ranking in search results.

Conclusion: The Importance of SEO for Self-Storage Businesses

In the competitive world of self-storage, effective SEO is not just a luxury, it’s a necessity. A well-executed SEO strategy can significantly elevate your online presence, attract more potential customers, and ultimately boost your revenue. The techniques we’ve discussed – from proper keyword research and on-page optimization to technical SEO and strategic off-page SEO – are all integral components of a successful self-storage SEO campaign.

Applying these techniques can transform your website into a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers. Remember, SEO for self-storage is about more than just ranking high in search results; it’s about establishing your business as a trustworthy and easily accessible solution for potential clients in your area.

However, we understand that managing an effective SEO strategy can be complex and time-consuming. If you find these tasks daunting or if you prefer to focus on running your business, Stigan Media is here to help. Our team of experts specializes in self-storage SEO and is dedicated to crafting customized strategies that cater to your unique needs. Feel free to contact us for a detailed consultation and quote.

At Stigan Media, we are experts in SEO for self-storage companies. If you’re struggling with SEO, our free SEO audit can help make improvements.

Let us help you navigate the world of SEO, so you can reap the rewards of increased visibility and growth for your self-storage business.

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Oleg Galeev

Oleg is an experienced SEO specialist with a career beginning in 2014. He joined Stigan Media in 2017 and has been leading their SEO team since 2019. With a track record of successful SEO strategies, both traditional and local SEO, Oleg has contributed numerous case studies. His insights are shared on the Stigan Media Blog, his personal website (OlegG.ca), LinkedIn profile, and YouTube channel, showcasing his expertise and results in the field of SEO.