Case Study

Operations and Marketing Deliver Big Improvements

Background

In May 2024, West Coast Self-Storage began managing a facility in Tacoma, WA with the goal of improving revenue, operational efficiency, and overall curb appeal. While the property had solid potential due to its location and unit mix, it suffered from inconsistent management, physical deterioration, underutilized revenue streams, and limited marketing traction.

Customer service - packaging supplies

Challenges

  • Inconsistent staffing and excessive labor hours
  • Deferred maintenance and unprofessional property presentation
  • Outdated access control and security concerns
  • Delinquent units and unrentable inventory
  • Minimal insurance adoption and stagnant U-Haul revenue
  • Poor online visibility and outdated website infrastructure
Frustrated manager

Solutions Implemented

Property & Facility Enhancements

We initiated immediate improvements to the facility’s curb appeal and infrastructure. This included removing inappropriate planter boxes, resealing and restriping the asphalt, and restoring clean, professional landscaping. Loud and unsafe carts were retrofitted to reduce noise levels, and two out-of-service neon signs were repaired. Vinyl branding was added to the front door, enhancing professionalism and visibility. A future repaint of the gate and office awning is also scheduled.

Access Control System Upgrade

We began the process of replacing the outdated Door-King system with OpenTech access control. This will allow for modern, secure entry management with features like lockout after failed code attempts and floor-level access control for elevators.

Operational Streamlining

We optimized on-site storage use by consolidating from five occupied internal units down to two, returning rentable inventory to the market. Long-overdue delinquencies (some over two years old) were resolved within two months. Staffing was rebalanced to one full-time and one part-time employee, improving efficiency while maintaining coverage.

Office & Retail Presentation

The unprofessional office décor was removed and replaced with retail inventory, creating a welcoming and functional customer space.

Marketing & Digital Optimization

We migrated the facility’s website onto the West Coast Self-Storage domain, instantly improving domain authority and SEO performance. All page content was rewritten and optimized, structured data (schema) was implemented, and new photos were added. We also enhanced the facility’s Google Business Profile, corrected and added citations with consistent NAP information, published regular Google Posts, and maintained an active social media presence. These efforts resulted in the facility’s average Google Maps ranking improving from 7.15 to 2.7, a dramatic jump in local visibility.

Results (Within 10 Months)

Revenue Growth

Total monthly income increased from $71,100 to $95,138—a 33.8% increase—driven by stronger pricing, improved unit availability, and supplemental revenue from insurance and U-Haul.

Occupancy Increase

Occupancy rose by 24% relative to starting levels, reflecting stronger lead conversion, better marketing visibility, and strategic unit availability improvements.

Insurance Participation Surge

Insurance penetration jumped from just 3% to 66%, significantly increasing ancillary income and aligning with industry best practices.

Local Search Visibility

The facility’s average Google Maps ranking improved by 62%, helping drive higher conversion rates and increased traffic.

Conclusions

Through targeted operational improvements, modernized access control, smarter staffing, and a complete digital overhaul, this Tacoma storage facility has been transformed into a high-performing, high-visibility property. In less than a year, it has achieved measurable improvements in revenue, efficiency, customer experience, and long-term growth potential.

Have More Questions? Let’s Talk!

If you have additional questions or want to explore how West Coast Self-Storage can help your facility succeed, contact us today!