Gavin Shields

April 2, 2026

Why Stora Is Going All-In on Europe

When we started Stora, we set out to build self storage software. Somewhere along the way, that changed. Not because we planned it, but because our customers showed us what they actually needed.

By Gavin Shields

March 3, 2026

A new chapter for Stora

When we started Stora, we had a simple mission: help self storage operators run their businesses online.

By Gavin Shields

January 16, 2026

How to Value a Self Storage Facility: A Beginner’s Guide

The global self storage industry has boomed in recent years.

By Gavin Shields

December 16, 2025

Introducing the Stora API — the Foundation for a More Connected, Automated Self Storage Business

For years, self storage software has worked in a simple way: you run your operations inside one system, and everything else — CRM, accounting, reporting, marketing — gets handled somewhere else.

By Gavin Shields

October 16, 2025

Choosing the Best Self Storage Management Software for Your Facility: The Questions to Ask

Discover the key questions every operator should ask vendors when choosing self storage management software, and why.

By Gavin Shields

September 22, 2025

Self Storage Management Software: What It Is and Why You Need It

Get a handle on what is self storage management software in this brief overview, and learn why it's a must-have for today's operators.

By Gavin Shields

August 22, 2025

Self Storage Competitor Pricing: How To Stand Out From Your Competition

On average, renting a 50 square foot self storage unit in the UK costs around £95 per month. In the U.S., the average rental price for similar units has dropped somewhat, from around $99 in 2023…

By Gavin Shields

July 21, 2025

Indoor Self Storage vs. Outdoor Container Storage: the Pros and Cons

As a self storage owner or investor, deciding whether to build an indoor facility or go down the outdoor container route is one of the most important early calls you'll make.

By Gavin Shields

April 3, 2025

How To Navigate Your Next Self Storage Price Increase

The average storage costs in the UK are £26.23 per square foot, with price variations by unit size. In the U.S., the average storage unit cost typically ranges from $60 to $180 per month.

By Gavin Shields

February 7, 2025

How to Leverage AI in Self Storage Today: A Comprehensive Guide

Using artificial intelligence (AI) saves workers about one hour each day, allowing them to focus on more high-impact tasks. Additionally, using AI can lead to cost savings of up to 19%.

By Gavin Shields

January 29, 2025

A Comprehensive Guide To Self Storage Unit Rules And Regulations In The U.S. And UK

In 2015, a self storage facility in San Diego violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by auctioning off a U.S. Navy member's stored belongings without obtaining the required court orders.

By Gavin Shields

January 16, 2025

Pros And Cons: Should You Offer Your Tenants A Self Storage Kiosk Option?

Did you know that installing kiosks at your self storage facility can make your business 26% more profitable than your competitors?

By Gavin Shields

January 7, 2025

12 Tips for Effective Self Storage Marketing in 2025

Companies that focus on nurturing leads through marketing make 50% more sales. If you’re not spending time marketing your self storage facility, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity to…

By Gavin Shields

December 17, 2024

A Quick Guide To Self Storage Revenue Management Optimization

Did you know that 80% of companies fail to meet their cost-reduction targets, indicating potential shortcomings in revenue management practices?

By Gavin Shields

September 16, 2024

How Stora’s Prospects & Deals Pipeline is Helping Self Storage Businesses Thrive

We’re thrilled to announce that Stora has been named a finalist for the prestigious FEDESSA 2024 Innovation Award! This nomination recognizes the groundbreaking impact of our Prospects & Deals…

By Gavin Shields

August 30, 2024

How to Automate Your Self Storage Business in 9 Simple Steps

Automating your self storage business helps reduce costs and admin and frees you to focus on more impactful tasks, such as business growth. In fact, 88% of small business owners say automation…

By Gavin Shields

July 12, 2024

Everything You Need to Know: Storage Unit Eviction Process

If you operate a storage unit, you'll inevitably encounter situations where you must evict a tenant for non-payment or violating your facility's rules.

By Gavin Shields

July 2, 2024

The Ultimate Guide: How To Upgrade To A Contactless Storage Facility

You might think running your own self-storage facility requires little effort. But if you do it without automation, it demands constant admin.

By Gavin Shields

January 22, 2024

Drive self storage growth with Stora Capital

At Stora, we want to help self storage operators build better businesses. That’s why today, we're pleased to launch Stora Capital, a product we've been thinking about for years. So what is it? Stora…

By Gavin Shields

January 16, 2024

Insights From The UK Self Storage Industry In Our First Annual Report

In an evolving industry, understanding trends and customer behaviour is key. Our comprehensive report on the UK self storage industry, the first of its kind, offers an unparalleled view into the…

By Gavin Shields

September 19, 2023

Leveraging AI For Self Storage Images

Discover how to use AI image generation technology to assist creating images for your self storage website.

By Gavin Shields

September 18, 2023

Leveraging AI for Self Storage Website Content

Learn how you can utilise AI tools like ChatGPT today to level up your self storage marketing and content creation.

By Gavin Shields

August 22, 2023

Top Financial Metrics For A Caravan Storage Facility

If you are considering opening a caravan storage facility, here are some of the key metrics for measuring your business.

By Gavin Shields

August 18, 2023

5 Rapid Fire Ways To Grow Your Caravan Storage Business

Discover 5 fast and effective ways to grow your caravan storage business.

By Gavin Shields

August 12, 2023

What Makes A Good Location For Your Caravan Storage Site?

Choosing the right location can attract more customers, ensure convenience, and enhance the overall customer experience.

By Gavin Shields

August 11, 2023

Top Tips to keep your Caravan Storage Site Secure

Implementing robust security measures not only protects your clients' caravans but also enhances your business's reputation and fosters trust among potential customers.

By Gavin Shields

August 3, 2023

7 Effective Marketing Tips to Attract More Customers to Your Caravan Storage Business

In the competitive world of caravan storage, an effective marketing strategy is essential to attract more customers and stand out from the crowd.

By Gavin Shields

July 26, 2023

5 Top Tips For Choosing The Right Caravan Storage Software

There are lots of options out there and it's hard to tell at first glance what systems are going to meet your needs the best.

By Gavin Shields

July 24, 2023

Looking For Caravan Storage Software? Look No Further Than Stora

Stora is the perfect software solution for anyone starting, already running or growing a caravan storage business.

By Gavin Shields

June 20, 2023

Turn your container site into a cash generating machine in three steps

Easily grow your revenue by 50%, reduce admin by 80% and double or even triple your profits by following these three simple steps.

By Gavin Shields

May 11, 2023

Intervention time at my self storage business - Update #1

Gavin shares his first update since reviewing the performance of his Portadown self storage facility on Stora and goes through the steps he's taken to address the recent slump in occupancy levels.

By Gavin Shields

April 25, 2023

Intervention time at my self storage business!

Over the past six months, we've experienced a drop of over 1,000 square feet, and in the last six weeks, we've only had one booking.

By Gavin Shields

April 18, 2023

Stora Shortlisted for Best Start-up or Emerging Business Award

We are excited to announce that Stora has been shortlisted for the Belfast Telegraph's Best Start-up or Emerging Business Award 2023!

By Gavin Shields

January 19, 2023

How Much Does A Self Storage Business Make?

Gavin shares the biggest influencers on ROI and reveals his sites’ earnings to help you gauge how much a self storage business makes.

By Gavin Shields

October 10, 2022

Making the Move to Unmanned Self Storage

Transition from traditional self storage to an unmanned self storage model with these five pieces of advice from a fellow operator.

By Gavin Shields

September 22, 2022

Stora raises over $1m to drive self storage innovation

Find out who backed Stora in our latest funding round, and learn how we plan to use this new investment to improve the platform.

By Gavin Shields

May 10, 2022

Introducing Unmanned Self Storage: Tech + Automation Tips

When it comes to turning your current self storage facilities into unmanned ones, you need three key pieces of technology in place, at the minimum: online reservations and payments software, an…

By Gavin Shields

March 9, 2022

Customers are asking for estimates. What do I say?

If you are operating in an area where competitors are still running a quote or estimates processes, you may find that prospective customers will call you and, thinking that is just the way it works,…

By Gavin Shields

March 2, 2022

Do Your Accounts In Less Than 30 Minutes Each Month

We are living in increasingly busy times. Busy working, busy parenting, busy fixing up our homes, and everything in between. So, finding ways to minimize repetitive, time-consuming tasks is key to…

By Gavin Shields

September 13, 2021

Self Storage Veteran Triples Stake In Stora As Industry Moves Online

SELF STORAGE tech firm Stora has revealed that David Milton has more than tripled his stake in the business.The new funding comes on the back of rapid customer growth in the UK as self storage…

By Gavin Shields

April 28, 2021

Stora Raises $0.7m To Help Self Storage Businesses Embrace the Web and Sell Online

Industry veteran, David Milton, invests alongside venture capital firm, Techstart Ventures.

By Gavin Shields

January 21, 2021

Blockspace Self Storage Starts To Sell Online With Stora

We are delighted to announce that Exeter-based Blockspace Self Storage have chosen Stora as their website, bookings, payments and facility management solution.

By Gavin Shields

December 8, 2020

Introducing Stora for Startups: Everything You Need To Run Your Self Storage Business Online

When I decided to open my first self storage facility in 2019, one of the biggest surprises was the lack of modern self storage software. I expected to find some sort of easy-to-use product that…

By Gavin Shields

September 14, 2020

Online Payments In Self Storage: A Brief Window Of Opportunity!

The limited use of modern technologies by incumbent operators has created the biggest opportunity in global self storage. Early adopters of new technologies will build a huge advantage over local…

By Gavin Shields

July 13, 2020

How I Built An Automated Self Storage Business (Including the Full Tech Stack)

In January 2019, I sold some shares in one of my startups and decided to use the money to set up a storage business. This is the story of how I built an automated self storage business that requires…

By Gavin Shields

Our public API is live

Articles by Gavin Shields

Why Stora Is Going All-In on Europe

A new chapter for Stora

How to Value a Self Storage Facility: A Beginner’s Guide

Introducing the Stora API — the Foundation for a More Connected, Automated Self Storage Business

Choosing the Best Self Storage Management Software for Your Facility: The Questions to Ask

Self Storage Management Software: What It Is and Why You Need It

Self Storage Competitor Pricing: How To Stand Out From Your Competition

Indoor Self Storage vs. Outdoor Container Storage: the Pros and Cons

How To Navigate Your Next Self Storage Price Increase

How to Leverage AI in Self Storage Today: A Comprehensive Guide

A Comprehensive Guide To Self Storage Unit Rules And Regulations In The U.S. And UK

Pros And Cons: Should You Offer Your Tenants A Self Storage Kiosk Option?

12 Tips for Effective Self Storage Marketing in 2025

A Quick Guide To Self Storage Revenue Management Optimization

How Stora’s Prospects & Deals Pipeline is Helping Self Storage Businesses Thrive

How to Automate Your Self Storage Business in 9 Simple Steps

Everything You Need to Know: Storage Unit Eviction Process

The Ultimate Guide: How To Upgrade To A Contactless Storage Facility

Drive self storage growth with Stora Capital

Insights From The UK Self Storage Industry In Our First Annual Report

Leveraging AI For Self Storage Images

Leveraging AI for Self Storage Website Content

Top Financial Metrics For A Caravan Storage Facility

5 Rapid Fire Ways To Grow Your Caravan Storage Business

What Makes A Good Location For Your Caravan Storage Site?

Top Tips to keep your Caravan Storage Site Secure

7 Effective Marketing Tips to Attract More Customers to Your Caravan Storage Business

5 Top Tips For Choosing The Right Caravan Storage Software

Looking For Caravan Storage Software? Look No Further Than Stora

Turn your container site into a cash generating machine in three steps

Intervention time at my self storage business - Update #1

Intervention time at my self storage business!

Stora Shortlisted for Best Start-up or Emerging Business Award

How Much Does A Self Storage Business Make?

Making the Move to Unmanned Self Storage

Stora raises over $1m to drive self storage innovation

Introducing Unmanned Self Storage: Tech + Automation Tips

Customers are asking for estimates. What do I say?

Do Your Accounts In Less Than 30 Minutes Each Month

Self Storage Veteran Triples Stake In Stora As Industry Moves Online

Stora Raises $0.7m To Help Self Storage Businesses Embrace the Web and Sell Online

Blockspace Self Storage Starts To Sell Online With Stora

Introducing Stora for Startups: Everything You Need To Run Your Self Storage Business Online

Online Payments In Self Storage: A Brief Window Of Opportunity!

How I Built An Automated Self Storage Business (Including the Full Tech Stack)

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