From startup to full capacity – How we launched and sold out Big Box Container Storage in less than 1 year

Big Box Container Storage partnered with SQ Digital to launch a new self-storage business in a competitive local market. Within 12 months, all storage containers were occupied, a recognisable local brand was built, and a digital presence was established from scratch.

The Challenge

Big Box Container Storage is a self-storage company on White Lund Industrial Estate in Morecambe, Lancashire. It serves domestic and commercial customers who need secure, affordable storage in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.

Before launch, the owner faced three key challenges:

A crowded market

Established competitors already had strong physical locations and digital visibility. For Big Box Container Storage to successfully enter the market as a new player, it needed to develop a distinctive brand and build an online presence that could quickly earn consumers’ trust.

No brand, no website, no online visibility

The business was starting from zero, with only an ambition and a registered domain name. There was no digital footprint, search presence or customer awareness.

A need for commercial results quickly

With newly purchased containers on site, the priority was to fill them quickly, generate recurring revenue, and prove viability for expansion.

SQ approach

Since 2017, we’ve proudly supported James Varley and his family business, Morecambe Metals. Building on our proven results and a foundation of trust, we were excited to be invited to assist James with an exciting new venture.

Our role was to establish the Big Box Storage Container brand, beginning with brand identity and a website, and continuing with digital marketing efforts to drive ongoing container sales.

Paid & Organic Social Media

Drive immediate visibility and enquiries while growing organic performance, with a blended Google Ads and Meta Ads campaign:

PPC campaigns targeting high-intent search terms related to container and self-storage in the Lancaster & Morecambe area.
Meta Ads campaign to build awareness of the new brand and drive visits from people in the catchment area
Create a Facebook presence to support both paid and organic social media activity and build a community.

Brand Development

A brand new visual identity designed to stand out in a saturated self-storage market, including:

Logo design and core brand mark.
Colour palettes and typography aligned with the brand’s positioning.
Clear brand guidelines to keep marketing consistent across web, social and offline channels.
An instantly recognisable look and feel that could support long‑term growth.

Search Visibility & Organic Growth

A targeted SEO strategy centred on terms local searchers actually use when comparing storage options, including:

A tailored keyword plan based on high-intent local terms (e.g., self storage, container storage in Lancaster, Morecambe).
On-page SEO and technical optimisation to ensure the site was easy for Google and AI to crawl and understand.
Helpful search-led content that addressed common storage questions and friction points, such as security, access hours and pricing.
Full setup and optimisation of Google Business Profile to capture and convert local search interest.

Website Experience

A responsive, user-friendly website focused on a seamless user experience and conversions:

Clear messaging that highlights Big Box Container Storage’s unique offering.
Simple steps for key actions, such as checking availability and making an enquiry.
Transparent pricing and storage unit details to reduce friction and build trust.
A customised container map displaying the site layout and available space – an essential tool for customers comparing storage options.

The Results

Within the first year of launch, Big Box filled the initial 20 storage units and quickly ordered more only to sell out again.

Sold-out containers. Big Box sold out all 82 containers within 12 months, reaching full capacity and paving the way for future expansion.
A brand that locals actively seek. Searches for ‘Big Box Container Storage’ rose from 0 to over 100 searches per month in less than a year, demonstrating strong brand awareness, referrals, and repeat customers.
Significant Website Growth. Website sessions increased by 709% across all channels, rising from 52 to 421 year on year. Homepage sessions alone grew from 32 to 164 during the same period, showing increasing interest and awareness.
High-intent local engagement through Google Business Profile. The optimised Google Business Profile now generates 80-120 interactions each month, including calls, website visits, and directions requests, serving as a key channel for local storage enquiries.
Strong Keyword Rankings. 13 priority keywords appear in the top 10 positions on Google.

Ongoing Partnership

With Big Box now operating at capacity and exploring expansion opportunities, SQ Digital continues to provide ongoing digital marketing support, including:

Continuous optimisation of SEO, PPC and Meta campaigns.
Testing new messaging, landing pages and audiences to maintain an efficient cost per enquiry.
Using performance data from the first year to inform decisions on pricing, promotions and future site developments.

This long-term partnership ensures that Big Box’s success remains sustainable – not only at launch, but as the business expands and the market develops.

“We’re right where we wanted to be and, as always, I’m really pleased with all the work SQ are doing.

I never expected the business to take off as quickly as it has. I’m noticing that a lot of house movers are finding us […] realising that container storage can meet their needs at a much lower price.”

James Varley – Morecambe Metals (Holdings) Ltd

Whether you’re starting a new venture or aiming to grow an existing one, we’ll help you transform your digital presence and realise your ambitions.

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