The Best Storage Options For Small Businesses In The UK
The best storage option for most small businesses in the UK is storage by the box, as it's flexible, affordable and can grow with you.
When you run a small business, especially one that regularly deals with stock, space quickly becomes a big issue.
Before you know it, stock is all over spare rooms, office cupboards are filling up with packaging materials and suddenly your workspace feels more like a warehouse than an office.
The truth is, it's very normal for businesses to outgrow their space. The good news is that there are a number of storage options available, with each one designed for a different type of business. The best option for you will depend on how much stock you have, what your budget is and how often you need access to it.
If you are a small business looking for affordable and flexible storage, The Box Co. offers storage from £3.56 per box per month.
We handle transport and delivery so you don't have to waste time heading to a storage unit every time you need something.
Click here for a free, no-obligations quote.
If you are looking to compare the options available, here, we look at some of the most popular storage options for small businesses.
Storage By The Box (Most Popular)
Over the past few years, more and more small businesses have started moving towards storage by the box. The idea is simple: Instead of paying for an entire storage unit or warehouse, you only store the number of boxes you actually need.
For e-commerce brands, especially, this makes a lot of sense. Stock levels can change all the time. You might need extra space before a big sales period like Black Friday or Christmas, and then much less once things quiet down again.
With services like The Box Co., your boxes are collected straight from your office, home or workspace, stored securely, and then returned whenever you need them.
There is no van hire, no heavy lifting and no spending your weekend driving back and forth to a storage unit.
For many small businesses, it takes away one of the most frustrating parts of traditional storage, which is having to organise transport and physically move everything yourself.
Pros of Storage By The Box
Flexibility: You only store the number of boxes you actually need, which means you are not paying for empty space.
Convenience: Transport is included. Instead of loading a van and driving to a storage facility, The Box Co. collects your items and delivers them back when you need them, saving a huge amount of time.
Affordability: Storage by the box is by far the most cost-efficient storage option, with prices starting from £3.56 per box per month.
Cons of Storage By The Box
Best for boxed: Storage by the box works best for items that can be boxed. Businesses storing very large bulky equipment may need a different solution.
Why Many Ecommerce Businesses Prefer It
For brands looking to grow online, storage by the box can be one of the easiest ways to manage stock without committing to large storage spaces or warehouse storage contracts.
You only pay for the space you actually use, and you do not need to worry about transport or logistics.
If your stock is slowly taking over your office or spare room, The Box Co. can collect it, store it securely and return it whenever you need it.
Get in touch for a free quote!
Self Storage Units
Self storage units are probably the option most people think of first.
Businesses rent a unit within a storage facility and move their items there themselves.
Many small businesses start with this option because it feels easy and there are facilities available in most cities, but it's not the best option for everyone.
Pros of Self-Storage Units
Good for bulky items: Self storage units can work well if you need to store larger items, although you do need to transport them to the unit yourself.
Access: You can have direct access to your items whenever the facility is open.
Cons of Self-Storage Units
Cost: One of the biggest downsides is the cost of self-storage. Units are priced by size, not by how much space you actually use. Many businesses end up paying for a unit that is half empty.
Lack of flexibility: They are also not particularly flexible. If you suddenly need more space, you may need to move everything into a larger unit.
Time: Another downside is the time involved. You have to transport everything yourself, which often means hiring vans, loading items and making regular trips back and forth.
Warehousing And Fulfilment
Warehousing is normally used by bigger ecommerce companies that store large quantities of stock and want orders to be packed and shipped directly to customers.
Some warehouses also offer fulfilment services, meaning they handle inventory management, packing and shipping on behalf of the business.
Whilst this can be a great option for growing companies, it is one of the more expensive options.
Pros
Fulfilment included: Warehousing can make sense if your business is shipping a very high number of orders and you want someone else to manage the logistics.
Space: It also provides huge amounts of space for storing large quantities of inventory.
Cons
Cost: The main issue for small businesses is cost. Warehousing often involves setup fees, minimum contracts and ongoing management costs. For startups or growing brands that simply need somewhere to store stock, this can be a kit more complicated and expensive than necessary.
That is why many smaller businesses start with flexible storage solutions like The Box Co., which allow you to store inventory without committing to full warehouse services.
Container Storage
Container storage usually involves renting space inside a metal shipping container that is located on an outdoor storage site.
While it is a good budget option, it does come with a few limitations.
Pros
Cost: Container storage is often cheaper than traditional storage units and can hold large or bulky items.
Cons
Insulation: Shipping containers are not insulated, which means temperatures inside them can fluctuate depending on the weather outside. This can be a problem for businesses storing products, packaging or sensitive materials, especially in climates like the UK.
Security: Security can also vary depending on the site, and some container storage facilities are located outside major cities which makes them less convenient to access.
In-Office Storage
Many businesses start by storing products inside their office, studio or even their home.
At first this works well because it costs nothing and everything is within reach.
Pros
Cost: The biggest advantage is cost. If you already have spare space, you can store inventory without paying for an external storage service.
Cons
Space: The problem is that this rarely works long term. Stock starts to take over desks, cupboards and meeting spaces, making it harder to run the business efficiently. Cluttered workspaces can also make it difficult to keep track of inventory.
Finding The Right Storage For Your Small Business
There is no universal storage option that works for every business.
The right choice depends on how much stock you have, how often you need access to it, what your budget is and how quickly your business is growing.
However, many small businesses are now looking for storage that is flexible, affordable, convenient and easy to manage.
That is why storage by the box with The Box Co. has become such a popular option for startups, ecommerce brands and growing businesses across the UK.
If your stock is starting to take over your workspace, The Box Co. can help. We collect your items, store them securely and return them whenever you need them.
So, what are you waiting for?
