The Storage.co.uk Award 2011–12 for Excellence in Website Design

The vast majority of people now find self storage companies by looking on the web. This means that any self storage firm that wants to grow its business needs to have a very effective website, one that has something which makes it stand out from the crowd.

A useful way of thinking about it is that the website is a way of presenting the company’s best face to the world. Although we don’t always like to admit it, it’s a sad fact that most of us make snap judgements based on how things look, and the way we evaluate websites is no different – therefore, a self storage company that wants to engage with customers needs to have a homepage which entices them in.

A successful self storage company designs its website as meticulously as shopkeepers plan their window displays, wrapping lots of useful content in an easily accessible package that tells the user what they want to know without them getting lost or bogged down.

Fortunately, most self storage companies recognise what a vital tool the internet is for communicating with their customers, and already have a website that does all this, and more, in many cases. In order to celebrate their achievements, Storage.co.uk runs the Excellence in Website Design award.

Specifically, the judges were looking for “a company website that is attractive to look at, easy to use, and rich in effective content”. Here are the five winners for 2011–12:

Alligator Self Storage – A major player in the UK self storage market, with branches running all the way from Portsmouth to Dumfries, Alligator Self Storage has a superb website which manages to combine reams of useful information with colourful, attractive design. www.alligatorstorage.co.uk

Cardiff Self Storage Ltd – Cardiff Self Storage have put together a first-class website for a single-facility, independent operator, where all the information comes encased in an attractive green colour scheme. www.cardiffselfstorage.co.uk

Ready Steady Store – Another self storage firm that uses green as the dominant colour in their website design, Ready Steady Store has crafted a website which combines a handsome appearance with a very logical and accessible layout. www.readysteadystore.com

StoreIt4U – A self storage firm which knows how to be different, StoreIt4U has taken the unusual step of making most of their website bright yellow, combined with clever animation and several pictures of monkeys. The overall effect is uniquely entertaining. www.storeit4u.co.uk

The Store Room – Employing an admirably straightforward and simple design to great effect, The Store Room is clearly a self storage company that knows less can be more when it comes to website design. www.thestoreroom.co.uk