Say Goodbye to Order Inquiries & Other Tasks - AI Takes the Wheel
AI technology is rapidly transforming the self-storage industry, empowering operators to redefine how they run their business. By automating and optimizing various processes, AI can significantly enhance operational efficiency. In this blog, we want to explore how businesses can outsource the complete booking process – from order inquiry to move-in to the AI chat solution. Intelligent solutions like these not only bring various cost-saving and efficiency benefits to self-storage operators but also can elevate and improve the customer experience.
An example process could look as follows:
The customer sees an ad for self-storage on Instagram and messages the business through the app. The customer is connected with the AI chatbot, which will guide them through the remaining process.
The chatbot asks the customer guiding questions to determine which unit type the customer needs. This is based on the number and type of stored items, the duration of the lease, other needs, like climate control, and the customer's budget.
Based on these inputs – and possibly others, like browsing history, past interaction with the business, etc. – the AI makes the customer an offer.
If the customer accepts, the AI guides the customer through the booking process, collects all mandatory data, and facilitates the payment.
After the payment is confirmed, the chatbot proposes available move-in dates in the near future, which the customer can select and book.
The chatbot can also suggest additional services or supplies, like insurance, rental moving trucks, or shelves, and make the customer another offer.
After the process is complete, the chatbot can provide assistance with any other questions the customer might have.
The benefits for the customer are at hand – the process is extremely straightforward and low-effort. The customer does not need to navigate to another page, download an app, or contact the business through any other channel. Everything can be done from one interface while the lead is still hot. But there are many benefits for the business, too.
Increased Conversion-Rates from Visitor to Customer
Pairing proactive and personalized recommendations with the hassle-free process, the AI can guide the user through the sales funnel and facilitate seamless transactions. Businesses with AI chatbots can convert up to three times more customers than those without. This can mean a significant improvement in return on marketing spending, especially for smaller and medium-sized businesses with smaller budgets.
Data-Driven Insights
AI data analysis in self-storage can significantly improve the ability to make informed decisions. Artificial intelligence can analyze large amounts of data in real-time. One of the possible applications for this is dynamic pricing. AI algorithms can take into consideration demand, occupancy rate, competitor prices, and the prospective customer's past interactions to adjust prices in real time.
AI chatbots collect a lot of valuable customer data during every interaction. Operators can evaluate it and use it to enhance customer profiles. The system can also analyze market conditions and create prediction models. Based on these, self-storage operators can develop suitable strategies and countermeasures. For example, an AI can predict the risk of increased customer churn, giving the operators time to proactively react and retain the customers.
Efficiency and cost improvements
AI tools, like chatbots, bring various efficiency and cost improvements. They can be used, for example, to overcome staffing shortages in peak-demand season – rather than hiring new staff. They can also help bridge unexpected shortages due to sickness. Because these chatbots can deflect nearly 8 out of 10 inquiries and help customers to self-service, the same amount of work can be done with a lower overhead. These AI solutions are also scalable, and it is possible to design them to be exactly as big as the business needs.
Implementing an AI chatcommerce solution might sound like a complex project, but the benefits it brings to the business and the customers speak for themselves. With a partner like Unwired Logic for such a project, it is possible to minimize risk and benefit from our decade-long experience.