September 23 2024
The storage industry has had a digital upgrade – and its good news for customers
Not so long ago, renting a self storage unit meant a phone call, a trip to the store, and a lot of paperwork. Today, the experience looks quite different. You can compare unit sizes online, get an instant quote, sign a digital agreement, and walk through the door all without speaking to anyone if you’d rather not. The self storage industry has quietly but meaningfully modernised, and customers are benefiting.
In this article, we look at the ways technology is reshaping self storage in the UK from smart self storage facilities to app-controlled access, online booking, and the smart security systems keeping your belongings safe. We’ll also show you how Ready Steady Store is embracing these changes to give you a better, more convenient experience.
Ready to see what modern storage looks like? Find your nearest store here.
Book storage online: the end of the paper trail
The ability to book storage online has transformed the customer journey. Rather than visiting multiple stores to compare options, customers can now research unit sizes, check pricing, and secure a unit from home in a matter of minutes.
For busy people whether your mid-house move, managing a business, or clearing out a property, this convenience isn’t just nice to have. It’s a genuine time-saver. No queuing, no back-and-forth phone calls. Just a clear, straightforward process that gets you sorted quickly.
At Ready Steady Store, you can get an instant quote online and check unit sizes using our Size Estimator tool before you commit to a thing. Want to understand how the process works from start to finish? We’ve made that easy to follow too.
“Being able to sort my storage unit from my phone, without any back and forth – it’s just what you expect now. Simple and quick.”
The shift to online booking has also made pricing more transparent. Customers can see exactly what they’re paying for, compare unit sizes side by side, and choose a move-in date that suits them – all before making any commitment. It’s a better starting point for everyone.
The self storage app: managing your unit from anywhere
If online booking is the front door of modern self storage, the self storage app is the key. App-controlled access is one of the most practical developments the industry has seen in years and for customers, it changes day-to-day use significantly.
Rather than relying on a PIN code, many modern self storage facilities now use app-based access control. You arrive at the store, open the app, and the gate or door unlocks. It’s faster, more secure, and far easier to manage.
For businesses especially, this is a significant upgrade. Imagine managing a team where multiple people need access to a shared storage unit – tools, stock, equipment. With app-based access, you can grant and revoke permissions remotely, log who accessed the unit and when, and remove access immediately if a team member moves on. That level of control simply wasn’t possible with a traditional padlock and key.
At Ready Steady Store, we use app-controlled access across our stores, giving customers a smoother, more secure experience every visit. Combined with our extended hours access, it means you can get to your unit when you actually need it – early mornings, evenings, and weekends without compromising on security.
Extended hours access + app-controlled entry = storage that works around your schedule, not the other way around.
Smart security: what does it actually mean?
The phrase smart self storage often comes up in relation to security and for good reason. Technology has significantly raised the bar for what customers can expect when they hand over their belongings to a storage facility.
Modern self storage security goes well beyond a padlock on a unit door. Here’s what a well-equipped facility looks like today:
- 24Hr CCTV monitoring covering every key area of the site including entrances, corridors, and the facility perimeter
- App-controlled access, meaning only authorised individuals can enter the building
- Well-lit sites that deter opportunistic crime and give customers confidence when accessing their unit around the clock
- Digital access logs that record entry and exit times, useful for businesses managing multiple users
“Smart security is about layering protections so that multiple things would need to go wrong simultaneously for there to be an issue. Each layer matters.”
Self Storage Association UK
At Ready Steady Store, security is something we take seriously at every store. Our 24Hr CCTV monitoring is operational across all stores, and our app-controlled access means your unit is protected by more than just a lock. We also offer a Contents Protection Plan for additional peace of mind because even the best security system is complemented by proper protection cover on your stored belongings.
Online account management: control at your fingertips
The technology improvements in self storage aren’t limited to getting in and out of your unit. Behind the scenes, digital account management has changed how customers interact with their storage provider day to day.
Increasingly, customers expect to be able to:
- View and manage their account and payments online
- Update contact and billing details without needing to call or visit the store
- Receive digital communications including move-in confirmations, payment reminders, account updates
- Sign agreements digitally without printing a single page
- Access support through multiple channels including phone and email rather than in-person visits only
For business customers in particular, this matters. When you’re running a company and managing multiple cost centres, the ability to access an invoice or update a payment method in 30 seconds rather than making a phone call is the difference between a service that fits your workflow and one that creates friction.
Ready Steady Store’s business and commercial storage options are designed with exactly this in mind flexible, easy to manage, and supported by a team that’s available when you need them.
What tech-savvy customers should look for
If you’re choosing a self storage facility and you want to make sure you’re getting the full benefit of what modern technology offers, here are the things worth checking:
App-controlled access
Ask whether the facility uses app-based or PIN-based access. App-based is generally more secure and more convenient, particularly if multiple people will need to access the unit.
Extended hours access
Check the facility’s access hours carefully. Some storage sites still operate like traditional businesses fixed opening hours, no weekend access, or limited evening availability. Look for a facility that offers extended hours access, so your storage works around your life, not vice versa. Ready Steady Store offers extended hours access across our stores.
Online booking and instant quotes
If you can’t get a clear price online without having to call and wait, that’s a red flag for how the facility will communicate with you throughout your time as a customer. Look for transparent, instant online pricing. Our Size Estimator tool gives you a clear guide to what you need and what it’ll cost.
Digital account management
Ask whether you can manage your account, update your details, and access documents online. If everything still requires a phone call or an in-person visit, the facility hasn’t kept pace with what customers reasonably expect in 2026.
CCTV and site security
Ask specifically about CCTV monitoring coverage and whether it’s active around the clock. At Ready Steady Store, 24Hr CCTV monitoring is standard across all sites, not an optional extra.
The human touch still matters
Technology makes self storage faster, more convenient, and more secure. But it doesn’t replace the value of speaking to someone who actually knows their stuff when you need help.
The best self storage providers use technology to make the routine things effortless including booking, access, payments while keeping real people available for the moments when you actually need advice. Moving home is stressful. Clearing a property after a bereavement is emotional. Choosing the right unit size for a business operation takes a conversation.
At Ready Steady Store, our store teams are there for exactly those moments. Technology handles the admin; our people handle everything else.
“The app makes getting in and out of the store completely seamless. But when I needed to change my unit size at short notice, it was the team at the store who sorted it for me in minutes.”
Ready Steady Store customer
What’s next for self storage technology?
The pace of change in the self storage sector is unlikely to slow down. Here are the developments already gaining traction across the industry:
- AI-powered size recommendations – using what you tell the system about your storage needs to suggest the right unit without you having to guess
- Frictionless payment integration – direct debit and card-on-file becoming standard, removing manual renewal admin
- Virtual tours – allowing customers to view units remotely before committing, reducing the need for an in-person visit
- Enhanced digital communications – automated but personalised updates throughout the customer journey, from booking confirmation through to move-out
For customers, this trajectory is positive. Each development makes the experience simpler, more transparent, and more responsive to real-life needs.
If you’d like to find out more about how Ready Steady Store works, our Help & Advice hub is a good place to start and our team is always happy to talk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions: technology and self storage
Can I book a self storage unit online?
Yes, with Ready Steady Store you can get an instant quote and start the booking process online. Use our Size Estimator to work out the right unit, then find your nearest store to get started.
Do you have an app for accessing my storage unit?
Yes, Ready Steady Store uses app-controlled access at our stores, meaning you can access your unit quickly and securely from your smartphone. No PIN to remember, no physical key to lose.
What are extended hours at Ready Steady Store?
Ready Steady Store offers extended hours access so you can get to your unit outside of standard office hours including early mornings, evenings, and at weekends. Access hours vary by store, so check your nearest location for specific times.
Is my stored property covered if something goes wrong?
Our smart security systems including 24Hr CCTV monitoring and app-controlled access are designed to protect your belongings. We also offer a Contents Protection Plan for additional cover on the items stored in your unit.
Is self storage suitable for businesses that need digital account management?
Absolutely. Ready Steady Store’s business storage solutions are built with commercial customers in mind including flexibility, easy account management, and extended hours access that fits around operational schedules.
Technology has changed what good self storage looks like and that’s a good thing.
The days of clipboards, PIN codes, and fixed office hours are behind us. Today, you can find a unit, get a quote, and book your storage online in minutes. You can access your unit at extended hours using nothing more than your phone. And behind the scenes, 24Hr CCTV monitoring and app-controlled access are working to keep your belongings secure around the clock.
At Ready Steady Store, we’ve embraced these changes because they make your experience better, simpler, more flexible, and more transparent from day one. But we’ve also made sure that when you need a real person, one is there.
Whether you’re storing for a weekend or a year, moving home or running a business, technology means your storage works around your life not the other way around.
