A warehouse is a building where goods are kept or stored before they’re dispatched or distributed for sale. It also stores products that are waiting for import or export. It’s vital that you choose a top-grade business warehouse if you want to save money and boost the revenue of your business.
Warehousing has many benefits. First, it gives you physical control and proper accountability over your total inventory. Second, it’s easier to achieve timely deliveries to your customers if you’ve stored goods in such a storage space. Moreover, you’ll have enhanced customer loyalty in the long run because of your reliability.
You’d want to consider a few things when looking for or before renting a warehouse to reduce the chances of encountering any inconveniences. These include:
1. Location
One of the most important aspects you need to consider when choosing your warehouse is its location. It’d be best to go for a warehouse closest to your business premises. This will help you reduce the transportation costs of shipping the goods from the storage facility to the intended destination.
Also, you can opt to choose a warehouse that’s in close proximity to your customers, especially if you distribute products in a local area. This will help you minimize the time for making deliveries, plus you’ll also save fuel costs.
If your business doesn’t have transportation means; you’d want to consider a storage facility near your preferred carrier facilities. It’d be less hassle for them to access the goods and, thus, they’ll deliver them at a more affordable cost.
Many warehouse rental providers operate in multiple regions. Visit https://readyspaces.com/readyspaces-locations/ for information.
2. Security
The safety of your goods is also an essential factor when choosing a warehouse. It’d be best to choose a storage facility from a company that knows the importance of security and has implemented measures to ensure that the products are protected. Sites like wsinc.com offer secure warehouses that’ll give you peace of mind.
In this regard, you’d want to look out for the following before choosing the warehouse:
- Security guards from a renowned security company
- CCTV cameras
- A high perimeter wall surrounding the storage facilities
- An electric fence
If you see such features then you’re sure your goods will be in safe hands, hence, you can consider the warehouse.
Additionally, having a dedicated security team on-site further ensures the safety of your stored goods. A professional and trained security personnel presence can quickly address and mitigate potential risks, maintaining the integrity of the warehouse.
Intercom systems or devices like portable microphones or two-way radios enable security personnel to coordinate effectively, ensuring a swift and coordinated response to any security concerns.
3. Accessibility
It’s vital that you ensure that the location you choose is easy to find. In as much as it should be near your customers and delivery services, it should also be near major roads or highways to facilitate faster transportation of goods.
If you supply your goods to the international market, you’d want to consider a warehouse close to an airport or seaport for more convenience. This will help you reduce the high cost that you would’ve incurred if the storage facilities were located further away. Thus, you’ll save more money, which you can use for other purposes.
4. Storage Necessities
Depending on the type of business that you’re operating, sometimes, it’s essential that you go for a warehouse that has unique features and is custom-made to handle your needs. For instance, if you sell flammable or hazardous materials, you’d want to consider chemical warehousing, which is highly regulated to protect the environment and individuals, and to keep the products safe.
Another example is if you sell perishables, like vegetables, fruits, and meat. It’d be best to choose a warehouse with a refrigerator to keep the items under cold temperatures and protect them from going bad. Thus, you’ll be able to deliver them to the customers fresh.
Ideally, ensure that you look for a warehouse with the necessary equipment and facilities if you sell goods that require special attention.
5. Cost
Before settling on a warehouse, you’d want to be up-to-date with all the costs you’re supposed to incur, especially if you have to pay taxes. The space you’ll occupy in terms of the square foot will play a key role in determining the rent amount you’ll be charged.
Also, some warehouses charge more if your goods require special storage and attention. It’s, therefore, essential to consider all these things prior to choosing the storage facility for easy budgeting and planning. If possible, go for an affordable warehouse that you can pay for as long as it has quality facilities that’ll help meet all your needs and requirements.
6. Technology
Modern technological advancements have significantly changed most aspects of human life, including the management and operation of warehouses. Therefore, it’s essential that you choose a warehouse that has embraced technology in all its operations.
For instance, you’d want a warehouse that uses an updated warehouse management system to track:
- All the inventory
- When they were received
- Their owners
- When they’ll be dispatched
The chances are very low for your goods to get lost if they’re monitored by such technology since there’s less human involvement. The speed of operations and reliability in such a warehouse is also high.
7. Layout And Design
It’d help if you chose a warehouse with a modern design and layout that can accommodate any type of product, whether big or small.
Some old buildings may not have been built with this factor in mind, thus they may not be able to accommodate some equipment. The reason is that the distance in between their columns and ceiling height may be somewhat small to a point where machines, like a forklift and platform trucks, can’t fit. The effect of this is that it inhibits the number of operations that can take place in the warehouse.
In essence, the warehouse should have a:
- Separate reception area
- Spaced loading and off-loading areas
- A distinct and organized storage space
- Separate picking area
- Even surfaces
- Protected edges
Therefore, you need to choose a warehouse that has most of the above features, ample space, and an appealing layout to promote the organization of the products and efficiency of activities. It’ll also be easier to access products in such a well-planned warehouse.
Additionally, monitoring the inflow and outflow of raw materials and finished products, respectively, won’t be difficult, hence, you’ll easily achieve effective inventory management.
Conclusion
A business warehouse is essential for storing goods before they’re distributed to the customers. You’d want to consider the following before you choose a storage facility: security, safety, location, accessibility, cost, layout, technology, and special equipment. That way, you’ll be able to track and manage your inventory better.
Moreover, you’ll reduce the chances of delays, which will help you attract more customers. Over time, your business will start thriving and making immense profits.